Forest Service warns mudders to follow laws

Forest Service warns mudders to follow laws


By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff

OLD TOWN, Maine — Mudders, take note: It is against the law to tear up Maine’s woodland back roads for the fun of it, and the Maine Forest Service is looking for you.

District Ranger Jeff Currier said Wednesday that a growing number of landowners, along with hikers, hunters, anglers and other recreational land users, are complaining that heavy four-wheel-drive trucks have caused deliberate damage to remote forest access roads. It can cost landowners thousands of dollars to make their roads passable again, he said.

The “mudding” problem is pronounced in rural sections of Milford and Costigan, as well as in Washington and Aroostook counties, he said.

“People get cabin fever in the spring and can’t wait to get out on these soft back roads,” Currier said, attempting to explain the local passion for burying a truck up to its axles in sticky Maine mud. But the practice, whether on public or private roads, is against the law, he said, and can result in prosecution and significant fines.

The only exception is if a private landowner has granted specific permission, as is the case with popular competitive “mud runs” in some rural areas of the state.

In addition to legal repercussions, private landowners and land managers who have traditionally allowed public access for recreational use may decide to gate off their roads, Currier said.

“That punishes everyone,” he said.

Landowners, recreational users or others wishing to report damage to back roads in the Maine woods should call the forest service toll-free at 800-750-9777.

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Comments
20 comments on this item

Back roads? Heck in central Maine they like to do it to the unimproved town roads...Officials have let it go on so ling there's little hope for it to stop now. In fact, school busses did most of the damage in Palmyra this year, making it so regular vehicles couldn't get in and out of at least one road where 2 Selectmen either live or drive the busses for a living. How about school superintendents telling drivers to stay off any road that is turning to mud during the spring thaw? For a couple of weeks parents might have to actually get their kids to the a paved surface before the taxpayer funded bus can collect them. It would save town taxpayers a fair amount of money in road and personal vehicle repairs if a tiny bit of common sense were used.

Any Private landowners out there who want to make a buck?

Take one of your fields or parcel of land and turn into a mud run challenge. People will come!

corninmyturd2; A Game Wareden will not have you take the tt back with you or get fined. PLEASE!

Some of the 2000 Border Patrol here in the St. John Valley are always getting pulled out of deep ruts and mud holes. They've been spotted in ATV trails on the border with their Ford Expeditions and Suburbans. Most of the time their having a smoke while waiting for help. I've got a friend who was helping a Border Patrol out of a mud hole and after he was out of the mud the Border Patrol decided to hold the helper for operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Little did the BP know that the helper was on his own land and did not need to be registered. They are the ones ruining our access. I planning on posting a large sign on my 80 acre parcel. No Border Patrol Allowed!!!

"mudding"? Get a life!

Currier should try mudding!! It's a blast!!! A lot more fun the sipping tea and eating strumpets all afternoon. Hampden1, the game wanderers will do anything to make themselve look good to the state. They would fine you and make you bring your own excrement out of the forest with you. I would put it in a bag and send it home with them. They just wouldn't know it.

theres so many places to go toear shi*t up that this aricle isnt going to stop anything, I kn ow it wont stop me from slammin a beer and holding the throttle through the mud

corninmyturd2; I don't to talk S___t all day. My point is that any level headed Game Warden will leave you alone. I'm from up north and know several wardens up there. I've been on several moose hunts, snowmobiling trips up there and when you have to go (you go) they go as well "No Porta Potties" The woods is what it is!!

Mainefriend; 2000 Border Patrol Agents in the Valley? Re-calculate you stats that is an incorrect figure!! GEEZ!!!

Hampden, you don't get out much do you? Take a look around and see what your tax dollars are buying these so called professionals. They have a hummer with mag wheels!!! Give me a break! They drive all the best equipment with nothing to do but rut up the farmers land and ride around!!! No wonder there is so many transfers for this area. Everyone wants to get paid doing nothing!!! Duh!!! Get rid of some overpaid BP and useless IFW agents. At least Forest Rangers work for their money!

Mainefriend, I get out everyday work, work, and work! Then I enjoy the outdoors! You have no idea how much illegal activity occurs between Canada & the U.S. It would blow your mind!!!

corninmyturd2 What is your point? If you have one!! Duh!!

8:04 AM, you're oh so wrong. Actually eating strumpets is a lot more fun.

corninmyturd2 I sense your blood pressure is rising relax man. Actually I'm working today as well. I'm an owner,boss,president too. Sounds to me that you know all vs. doing it all. I'm actually lucky to have terrific people working with me (not for me) who take pride in what they do at my company. Neighbors lawn? Hello! we are talking maine woods here. Acreage vs. sq footage. Please!!!!

The second statements made at 8:04 AM are, oh, so very wrong. Actually, eating strumpets is a lot more fun.

Cooler of cold ones and mud....

Got mud???????

Got beer????????

Thought about being a game warden once, But i respect myself more than a man with a badge who gives a person a summons for having a fish an inch to long who has caught a legal limmit of fish. 90 dollar fine can buy alot of fish.

Mainefried, I think you mean crumpet. A scrumpet is a female prostitute. Duh!!!! Gadfly, you are not much brighter to agree.

I meant type Mainefriend.

Some how this story doesn't surprise me any.. there has been a slow process off take more and more rights and freedoms away... First the government put rule and regulations on things that you enjoy like atvs, personal watercrafts, etc. they make life on these so bad that they destoy any fun that you have on them and thus destoys the sales off these toys... people just can't let well enough alone.. Now something that we have had the right to do for as long as anyone can remember the me in green are going to outlaw you from drive woods roads... Thank you so much for this does anyone out there want a schedule of when someone goes to the bathroom..or eats, takes a shower... Maybe that will be next maybe some simple minded person with a little of a voice in the government to get this going and take every right that we have away...

travishardy8 -- you are right, it is so terrible that you are not allowed to destroy public property and private property. It is very unfair. Why won't these mean, evil property owners let you destroy their land? I would think they would welcome your destruction of their land. They should thank you.

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