Snowmobilers cited in prohibited areas

The Flathead National Forest reported Jan. 27 that law enforcement officers recently issued citations to nine snowmobilers who illegally traveled in prohibited areas.

In one case, officers were patrolling the Mission Mountain Wilderness boundary when they observed snowmobile tracks leading up to and entering the wilderness area. Several snowmobiles were later seen exiting the wilderness area.

Seven violation notices were issued. Four of the snowmobilers were from Kalispell, and three were from the Polson area. Each violation notice carried a $325 penalty, although the maximum penalty is six months in jail and a fine of $5,000 per individual or $10,000 for an organization.

Forest Service officers also issued violation notices to two snowmobilers who violated the Badger-Two Medicine closure area on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Each citation included a $175 fine.

A snowmobiler from Raymond, Alberta said he knew the area had been closed in the past but claimed someone told him it was no longer closed to snowmobiles.

The other snowmobiler, from Cut Bank, said he was unaware the area was closed to motorized vehicles, but he rode past two blaze-orange boundary signs advising that the area was closed to motor vehicles.

Flathead Forest officials remind snowmobilers that they have a responsibility to know where they can and cannot travel. The Forest Service provides official over snow vehicle use maps free of charge at all their offices which describe where snowmobilers can legally travel.