It's been a weird winter so far, not just for skiers and ice fishermen, but for those itching to get their snowmobiles out of the garage and onto area trails and waterways.
But a spokesman for the OPP SAVE (Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel Enforcement) squad, Const. Brian Bowes, says be patient.
"I'm seeing people travelling on the trail heading north out of North Bay and some sleds that were off-loaded by Sand Dam Road. The issue is that it's dangerous and if they find themselves in peril we have a limited ability to respond."
Bowes also warns that a lot of Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs OFSC trails are on private property and when trails are closed people are trespassing and there is potential they could damage private property because the frost hasn't driven into the ground yet.
A quick check today of the OFSC trail guide today shows almost every trail in Ontario closed, although one around Mattawa appears open.
"This is a very unusual season," explained Bowes. "What I'm seeing on the snowmobile forums and blogs is they're sharing information about where there is snow and talking about riding on closed trails and that's a concern for us."
Bowes says the OPP has been out a couple of times.
He urges the riders drive carefully even on trails they know well.
"There's a lot of performance potential in the machines. There's no other motor sport like it, there is so much performance available at such a low price, and there are 14 year olds out on the trails.
"Trail conditions vary and you're sharing the trails with moose and deer and a trail that you know like the back of your hand might have a tree down around the corner. There's all kinds of risk when you consider speed and varying trail conditions. We want to make sure we have safe, responsible and sober operators."
Bowes advises that sledders make sure their sled is plated and insured are carrying the OFSC permit.
The SAVE team also spends a lot of time patrolling area lakes checking anglers.
"People can consume alcohol in what is essentially an ice bungalow, that is a temporary residence where there is an expectation of privacy, but we want to make sure that people getting to their ice shacks in their motor vehicles, snowmobiles and ATV's, are insured and they have the helmets and everything that's required and that they're sober.
"We're trying to make sure it's a family friendly pursuit because there's children out there, it's not just ice fishermen, there's cross country skiers...all kinds of activities. The lakes are multi-use and we want to make sure it's safe for everybody."
Bowes say OPP will also make sure fishing regulations are followed.
"We know there is a lot of pressure on the resource, specifically Lake Nipissing, so we make sure people are abiding by slot sizes."
