Cleaning up FS trails

Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
1,451
Location
Great Falls MT
Anyone know if you can go in with a chain saw and clear dead fall off forest service trails, outside of wilderness obviously?

Where I hunt the forest is over half dead and so deadfall litters the trail. Some trails are impassable with all the deadfall.

Kinda thinking about taking a weekend and hike in with a saw and fuel and do a good deed.

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Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
1,661
Nothing says you can't.
Talk to FS or other group and you might get some help.
If it leads to your honey hole don't start clearing until a half mile in.
 

wyoguy

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 23, 2015
Messages
158
I've done this myself never checked into it i just went and did it, outfitters and ranchers do it quite often i don't think there would be an issue but I'm sure the forest service wouldn't mind knowing.
 
OP
TradLife406
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
1,451
Location
Great Falls MT
Agreed, may be even drop a few more across the trail to discourage those that are more determined!
Yeah there's that... They allow dirt bikes during bow season... I was bivying out opening day three miles in or more and hear a dirt bike! WTF! It's cool to see people who aren't capable of hiking enjoying a roadless public land area... Until they are zooming around on a dirt bike and have zero regard to the wind or thermals lol. Not even sure how they get up there with all the downed trees.

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jmez

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
7,403
Location
Piedmont, SD
Probably different in other places but in the Black Hills National Forest you can cut anything that is dead.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
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4,807
Location
Colorado
Based on the dry conditions I’d ask the forest service if you are allowed to run a chainsaw. In my forest we are at a level 2 fire restriction so you are allowed to do very little.
 
Joined
Jan 17, 2014
Messages
661
Location
Truckee
As mentioned fire restriction in your area at that time is key. Ive never had a problem running my saw in Nat Forest around here in spring as its usually wet but come summer there are more restrictions. We were restricted from discharging firearms around here in the Nat Forest last summer until I think Sept due to fire danger.
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2017
Messages
560
Location
Coeur d' Alene, ID
Well the forest service doesn't have the time or resources to maintain all their trails, so its up to us. If it wasn't for dirt bike riders and people on horseback, a lot of trails would never be cut open again. Cut away and thanks for your effort!
 
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
1,232
Location
Bothell, Wa
If I see a well maintained trail I assume there will be a bunch of horse camps come hunting season. So if you don’t want me back there clear away.
 
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