sled cop stories?

[sdsnocop]

its only illegal if you get caught

can i get them to use my registration fees to not groom anything? i find whooped out trails keep the masses out... i will gladly ride a beat up trail to get to the good riding. would love to never see another groomed trail the rest of my life. i guess they can groom around the lake to let the mt. trail riders have fun. STOP THE GROOMERS

isn't the definition of hypocrite a person who engages in the same behaviors he condems others for??? just something to think about.

It is not the definition of a hypocrite. It is called being young and stupid learning lessons remembered as you get older. A person becomes a hypocrite when they continue condeming others for the same behaviors they engage in.

 

[joel97mustang]

Joel are you SRM's brother? Because you sound an awful lot like him. Heard any strange noises from the sky lately?

Sometimes Jesus tells me to lead my fellow sledders to the promised land. The land of fresh powder where law enforcement stays in the city where it is needed.

 

[89sandman]

sorry maybe I'm just a boondocking snob. [quote twostroke]

LMFAO!!!!!! CLASSIC! you most definatley are, and i wouldn't be apologizing for it, cause i am too

 

[joel97mustang]

Entitled to the Facts Also

Not getting under my skin at all. Sometimes people make comments that are so bizzare it can be funny. He along with others are entitled to their opinions. Thats what makes us a free country. "Most" of our laws makes us a civilized country. Dont want radar. I already have too much junk I have to carry.

Hey man. I respect the job you do I just think it needs to be done somewhere else. The are more important areas of society where your services are needed and required. Writing tickets for tabs/reg violations so you can collect funds for trail grooming and occasionally be around for an accident seems like a waste.

The 2011 South Dakota Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Summary

States South Dakota Snowmobile riders had 7 crashes, 4 injuries and 1 fatality in 2011. That accounts for 0.1% of all modes of transportation in the whole state.

http://dps.sd.gov/enforcement/accident_records/documents/2011FactsBook.pdf

Pages 24 and pages 27

"Sometimes people make comments that are so bizzare it can be funny. He along with others are entitled to their opinions."

They are NOT opinions if they are supported by facts. I am an actuary by trade and spend most of my time reviewing statistics, composing/comparing financial cost benefit analysis and projecting outcomes.

Your time would be better spent in the summer policing Motorcycle and ATV riders. You would generate more income (even though you claim that's not your job) but more importantly you would be saving more lives.

Snowmobile crashes, accidents, injuries and deaths are so ridiculously small they are left out of most of South Dakota's Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety/Accident Records and Reporting Pages 2, 10, 24, 26 and 27

I get why joshkoltes needs police in Minnesota with all the drunken snowmobile riding on lakes and trails but then that's not really snowmobiling is it?

 

[travydog]

I have only gotten one ticket while on my sled. It was the first time i was in the black hills. bought my sled and headed up there. Buddy and I were riding along and a sled slowed down on the side of the rode, thought maybe he needed some help so I stoped . Yup it was a cop, shortly after a gfp officer pulled up. He asked me where my tags were, I said right there in my foot wells. Yup not the right place for them. ( should have read the papers that came with them) So I got a $20 ticket I think it was and then had to buy some new tags. We sat and BSed with them for a while and they told us where to go and where to go find some elk to watch.

Every time I have talked or seen a cop in the hills they were always very nice and willing to help a guy out if he was stuck up on a hill, they don't have to they can keep on riding if they wanted. But they never do always willing to help.

I guess in my opinion I'm glad there there and if your not doing anything wrong then you wont get a ticket. So if you know your in the wrong, take your lumps and don't argue with them they can make it a lot worse if they want.

Also wanted to say that the cops in the hills that I have seen (sdsnowcop) can out ride half the guys out there!!!

 

[xrated]

Wow cool stories bros!


Did I honestly just read some of those idiotic stories? Really? Someone please come slap me for being so freaking stupid to have actually read past the first moronic post.

 

[Himark]

Sometimes Jesus tells me to lead my fellow sledders to the promised land sled alone and walkout 8 miles at night minus 20 Celsius

You no doubt will get somewhere other than this earth doing this crap. Sorry Joel I have a hard time believing you are 45 years old and think sledding alone is OK or even that it is something to be proud of. You obviously are new at this game or dont really ride any backcountry.

I know you have problem with law enforcement but take it from somebody NOT in law enforcement but seen the aftermath of people that didnt make it out......quit riding alone! You will get yourself killed.

 

[Jeff C]

Hey man. I respect the job you do I just think it needs to be done somewhere else. The are more important areas of society where your services are needed and required. Writing tickets for tabs/reg violations so you can collect funds for trail grooming and occasionally be around for an accident seems like a waste.

The 2011 South Dakota Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Summary

States South Dakota Snowmobile riders had 7 crashes, 4 injuries and 1 fatality in 2011. That accounts for 0.1% of all modes of transportation in the whole state.

http://dps.sd.gov/enforcement/accident_records/documents/2011FactsBook.pdf

Pages 24 and pages 27

"Sometimes people make comments that are so bizzare it can be funny. He along with others are entitled to their opinions."

They are NOT opinions if they are supported by facts. I am an actuary by trade and spend most of my time reviewing statistics, composing/comparing financial cost benefit analysis and projecting outcomes.

Your time would be better spent in the summer policing Motorcycle and ATV riders. You would generate more income (even though you claim that's not your job) but more importantly you would be saving more lives.

Snowmobile crashes, accidents, injuries and deaths are so ridiculously small they are left out of most of South Dakota's Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety/Accident Records and Reporting Pages 2, 10, 24, 26 and 27

I get why joshkoltes needs police in Minnesota with all the drunken snowmobile riding on lakes and trails but then that's not really snowmobiling is it?

YOu are entitled to the facts, but you are also entitled to be an idiot if you want to.

YOu have no facts behind the incidence of "drunken snowmobilers" in Minnesota. Is the percapita snowmobile rider more likely to drive his/her sled drunk higher than other states? Where are your facts Mr. actuary man?

And your thought about "done somewhere else". these guys are not out just giving tickets. They are out helping people who get stranded and get into trouble or lost as well.

You post has the same thought out "thinking" as when you made the decision to go riding by yourself at -10 BY YOURSELF and had trouble.

I am sure if SDsnocop rode by when your sled was disabled, you would have turned down his help and hoofed it out the 8 miles by yourself.

 

[PowderCrew]

They thought they had me... I outclimbed 'em (lucky they were on Ski-Doos). So they pulled they're guns... and I roosted 'em.

 

[skidoo1210]

I have had 2 dealings with trail patrol in the hills. One for registration or lack there of on a borrowed sled. Borrowed my cousins sled and he said it was registered but lost the tags. Got stopped in the trailshead parking lot on our way to the trailer. Turns out he had not registered it. He sent me with an envelope with his address on it and to send him a copy or send the ticket. Had to send the ticket but was glad he offered to help. Second time was for trespassing next to trailshead. Broke the steering bolt on my zx. Was 1/2 mile from trailer straight line but 6 miles by trail. Headed straight for trailer and was stopped rather quickly. Was private property that we were crossing. Didn't see signs and area was covered in tracks. Ended up going to court for it but just had to cover court costs and sheriff fees. Worst part was wasted day driving and hotel room. They are a big help with asking about an area. If we can or can't be there with the hills being a lot of private property that opens in the winter. They have never been arrogant or anything like that to our group. Sdsnocop also posts snow conditions of the hills and where the good snow is.

 

[joel97mustang]

Fox News BLAST

You no doubt will get somewhere other than this earth doing this crap. Sorry Joel I have a hard time believing you are 45 years old and think sledding alone is OK or even that it is something to be proud of. You obviously are new at this game or dont really ride any backcountry.

I know you have problem with law enforcement but take it from somebody NOT in law enforcement but seen the aftermath of people that didnt make it out......quit riding alone! You will get yourself killed.

I like how you cut and pasted two different posts out of context to make your point....which is what?? We are all going to die eventually??

I don't have a problem with law enforcement. I have a problem with law enforcement and snowmobiling. There is no need. Collecting reg/tabs fees for trail grooming??? Saving lives??? Snowmobile accidents/injuries/deaths are less than 1% of all motorized accidents. Look up the stats. Cops need to be doing other more valuable things with their time.

Just because people don't want to follow your rules or code of snowmobile etiquette doesn't mean they are NEW! Maybe you're just tired and old.

The sport of snowmobiling is evolving maybe you should too.

 

[snowmobiler]

i pee in the forest when sledding.is that still legal?probably not.

 

[joel97mustang]

MINNESOTA drunken snowmobile facts for 2010-2011

YOu are entitled to the facts, but you are also entitled to be an idiot if you want to.

YOu have no facts behind the incidence of "drunken snowmobilers" in Minnesota. Is the percapita snowmobile rider more likely to drive his/her sled drunk higher than other states? Where are your facts Mr. actuary man?

And your thought about "done somewhere else". these guys are not out just giving tickets. They are out helping people who get stranded and get into trouble or lost as well.

You post has the same thought out "thinking" as when you made the decision to go riding by yourself at -10 BY YOURSELF and had trouble.

I am sure if SDsnocop rode by when your sled was disabled, you would have turned down his help and hoofed it out the 8 miles by yourself.

I love how most of the posters on snowest who disagree with you start their arguments with name-calling, insults and putdowns.

I grew up in Barrie, Ontario and lost an Uncle to drunken snowmobile. Almost every winter drunken idiots were crashing thru the ice, hitting trees, crashing into each other, etc. You are intellectually dishonest if you are pretending that alcohol does not play a role is snowmobile accidents back east, and you know it. The FACTS support it! Ask one of your sledcop friends

Here are your MINNESOTA drunken snowmobile facts for 2010-2011

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/incident_reports/snowmobileaccidents11.pdf

Number of snowmobile fatalities 13
Number of injuries reported 175
Total number of accidents reported 218
Number of machines damaged 180
Personal Property Damage 39

ALCOHOL involved in 28% of ALL Fatalities

Most western states don't record alcohol statistics in snowmobile accidents because it is so small. However it is a KNOWN issue around the Great Lakes and you know this BUT maybe you are in denial.

 

[sdsnocop]

I certainly agree if I worked as a County or Municipal officer or Highway Patrol dealing with snowmobile issues would and should be a lower priority. However I am employed as a Park Ranger for the SD Division of Parks and Recreation where outdoor recreation is our main focus and priority. The users of our parks demand that they and their families can visit our parks and feel safe. Many of our parks on a busy weekend contain more people than many of the communities within our state. We also deal with boating issues on the lakes within and near our parks. 6 full time Park Rangers provide law enforcement services for all of SD State Parks. The State of SD is responsible for the administration of the snowmobile program. The state has a MOU (memorandum of understanding) for the establishment of a trail system on the Black Hills National forest.
Snowmobiling in the Black Hills is unique in that it provides well known trail opportunities as well as some back country riding (nothing that will ever rival the mountains to the west). We have riders that come to only ride trails, others who try hard to avoid trails and others who do a little of both. Approximately 200+ rental sleds are available and are usually all rented each weekend. Many have little experience ot knowledge on snowmobiles and some have never seen snow before. They are not restricted to trails and find themselves in situations they cannot get out of. Many times other snowmobilers rescue them, sometimes we run across them but if they call for help we are called to respond. SAR is also sometimes called but they rely heavely on us since we have more experience and better equipment. Rentals account for 2/3 of the accidents I deal with. Our use is a little over 50% non-residents.
The Black Hills is also unique in it is Federal USFS land intermixed with private lands. We are called to deal with trespass complaints. Local County law enforcement does not have the officers available or the equipment to deal with these complaints (they are dealing with the other area's of society).
The SD Division of Parks and Recreation currently does not have any involvement with ATV use on FS lands. The USFS has enforcement resposibilities for ATV use on their lands. I do get involved with motorcycle use in Custer State Park during the Sturgis rally. Most of our time is spent responding to numerous motorcycle accidents and keeping the bison from running over bikes (bison hate Harley's).
I also believe in priorities. Even though the segment of population I have been hired to serve may not be a priority in some peoples mind I do place priorities in the law enforcement I provide. They are as folllows in decending order of priority:
1. Protect people from others
2. Protect people from the resource
3. Protect the resource from the people
4. Encourage a stable revenue source

There are 2 of use providing snowmobile law enforcement on a full time basis. The 2 of us make up .1% of Law Enforcement Officers in the state of SD to serve .1% of the registered vehicles in SD plus all of our non-resident visitors.

 

[Jeff C]

I love how most of the posters on snowest who disagree with you start their arguments with name-calling, insults and putdowns.

I grew up in Barrie, Ontario and lost an Uncle to drunken snowmobile. Almost every winter drunken idiots were crashing thru the ice, hitting trees, crashing into each other, etc. You are intellectually dishonest if you are pretending that alcohol does not play a role is snowmobile accidents back east, and you know it. The FACTS support it! Ask one of your sledcop friends

Here are your MINNESOTA drunken snowmobile facts for 2010-2011

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/incident_reports/snowmobileaccidents11.pdf

Number of snowmobile fatalities 13
Number of injuries reported 175
Total number of accidents reported 218
Number of machines damaged 180
Personal Property Damage 39

ALCOHOL involved in 28% of ALL Fatalities

Most western states don't record alcohol statistics in snowmobile accidents because it is so small. However it is a KNOWN issue around the Great Lakes and you know this BUT maybe you are in denial.

If they dont record the statistics, then how do you know how small of NOT small it really is..

Your argument does not hold up unless you have comparative statistics that are recorded (and you readily admit that those states do not record those statistics), and then normed for the number of registered snowmobiles in each state, then compare actual numbers.

I am not here to say that there are not fatal incidents on snowmobiles involving alcohol or drugs. I am, however, challenging you to support your assertions with facts, not just speculation of "what you think is happening"

Bring the numbers.......

 

[joel97mustang]

BRINGING THE NUMBERS

If they dont record the statistics, then how do you know how small of NOT small it really is..

Your argument does not hold up unless you have comparative statistics that are recorded (and you readily admit that those states do not record those statistics), and then normed for the number of registered snowmobiles in each state, then compare actual numbers.

I am not here to say that there are not fatal incidents on snowmobiles involving alcohol or drugs. I am, however, challenging you to support your assertions with facts, not just speculation of "what you think is happening"

Bring the numbers.......

These numbers and information is so easy to find but you ARE NOT really interested in the facts are you.

The number of registered snowmobile in the WEST (322,000) is dramatically lower than the EAST

Western States

http://www.snowmobile-alliance.org/

Eastern States

Registered snowmobiles in the EAST (833,763) Michigan and Minnesota have half a million in those two states alone.

http://www.snowmobile.org/stats_registrations_us.asp

I could easily pull other numbers but what would that prove. You would find another issue to delude yourself. The reason there is little or no alcohol related stats for most western states is it is so small that counting it would illustrate nothing.

I am not against cops I just think their resources would be better served in other areas i.e summer boating, ATV, motorcycle, etc. They would save so many more lives because sledding is a tiny community and has very few incidents of death/accidents/injury out west comparative speaking.

The accident rate is so small how would adding more and more law enforcement reduce it to zero. It will never happen. It's the LAW of diminishing returns. People will always crash theirs sleds, people will always die. It such and small number out WEST, I think it doesn't warrant the manpower,regulation, fines, etc.

It's a straight cost/benefit analysis.

 

[joshkoltes]

This guy needs his own anti government thread instead of torturing us here with his un associated opinions

 

[turbolover]

I was in IP and had 2 run ins on the same day. 2 completely different attitudes and different outcomes.
We had rented a rev and a Polaris 600 IQ raw. My nephew wanted to buy a new sled and we were checking them out. Headed from Sawtelle Resort to Big springs. When we got there we realized one of the sleds was almost out of oil. Left my son, another relative and niece at Big Springs feeding fish. We headed back in to Robins Roost for oil.
Got pulled over right at the gas station because "We were going to ride down a closed road"
After getting stopped, chewed out and forced to get or licenses from the truck.(parked at the gas station) We were waiting for our tickets when I started looking at the situation and realized we had not done anything wrong. The road closed sign was 50 feet in front of our sleds beyond the gas station we were going to drive around. We were stopped alongside the station and had to move the sleds out of the road while we waited.
I took my camera phone out and started taking pictures of everything. Where we were parked, where he was, License plates, the officer and other sleds.
He got nervous and called his supervisor. When he showed up and asked what I was doing, I started to explain the situation and explained I was looking forward to making them look stupid in court.
He talked to the first guy off out of earshot. He came back with our licenses and told us to have a nice day.

We jumped on our sleds and headed to Big Springs.
Pulled up to Big Spring and rode right up to the FS Ranger. He had patiently waited for us to return and straighten out who owned the 3 unregistered sleds.(had got the registrations the night before and left them sitting on the kitchen table) my son and relative and niece were all sitting there on sled they didn't with no registrations.
I handed him my license and asked for all 3 tickets. He acted reluctant to write me up if I actually had the registrations. I told him if I was BSing then the tickets would stick. If not I would take copies of the registrations into the local office on Monday and have them dismissed either way he had done his job.
He wrote me 3 tickets thanked each other and went our merry way.
Monday morning I went in and they copied the tickets and registrations and dismissed em all.

 

[sdsnocop]

We jumped on our sleds and headed to Big Springs.
Pulled up to Big Spring and rode right up to the FS Ranger. He had patiently waited for us to return and straighten out who owned the 3 unregistered sleds.(had got the registrations the night before and left them sitting on the kitchen table) my son and relative and niece were all sitting there on sled they didn't with no registrations.
I handed him my license and asked for all 3 tickets. He acted reluctant to write me up if I actually had the registrations. I told him if I was BSing then the tickets would stick. If not I would take copies of the registrations into the local office on Monday and have them dismissed either way he had done his job.
He wrote me 3 tickets thanked each other and went our merry way.
Monday morning I went in and they copied the tickets and registrations and dismissed em all.

I often use that tactic. I can usually verify SD and some states registrations on the spot by radio (if I can hit a tower) but some states I cannot get verification by radio so If they insist they have a license I issue the ticket, give them a date and address to send a copy of the registration plus the envenlope to send the fine money to the courthouse. If I do not receive the copy of the registration indicating the sled was licensed at the time the ticket was written by the date specified the ticket gets turned in at the courthouse. If I receive the copy of the registration I do not turn in the ticket and dismiss the ticket. That way I can accomodate the ones who trufully left their license behind and also deal with those who lie about forgetting their license. I sometimes do get tired of hearing "I left it at home", "I left it in my pickup", "the dog ate it"(sorry thats my kids homework excuse).

 

[sdsnocop]

A few more sled cop stories by the sled cop

Ran across a snowmobiler who stuck his jetski license on his snowmobile. After determining the snowmobile was not licensed eliminating the possibility of an accidental switch I issued the ticket. (if he was skipping water maybe he would have been legal?)

Stopped a snowmobiler to check license and noticed he only had 1 license decal on his sled. Knowing ND issues 2 decals I asked where the other one was. He claimed they only gave him one. Just then his buddy pulled with only 1 license decal on his sled. Coincidentally the numbers matched. Each received tickets.

Ran across a snowmobiler on a Saturday, issued a ticket for no snowmobile license. I explained he could purchase a temporary license at a local lodge so he could legally ride for the rest of the weekend. On Sunday I stopped a group of sleds for running 70 down a plowed road closed to snowmobiling. One of the group was the one I just ticketed on Saturday. He received 2 more tickets.

Spring time checking snowmobilers, Found a group skipping water across a small stock dam. I asked them to show me their life Jackets (in a straight cop face). They had a bewildered look of disbelief until I told them I was kidding.