Bringing together All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Off-Highway Motorcycle (OHM) enthusiasts to enjoy, promote and protect responsible riding in the Chippewa National Forest and surrounding area.
Woodtick Wheelers ATV/OHM Club
Fall 2011 Update
Membership Reaches 250!
Many new members joined the club this summer, including the following new Business Members and Business Sponsors: American Legion Post #202, Kevin Larson Construction, 371 Rental, River House, Lucette’s Pizza, North Lakes Marine, Hackensack Auto Value, North Country Tire, Hackensack Lumber, and 1st National Bank of Walker. Please thank them for supporting our club by supporting them!
Club Teamed Up With Sheriff’s Dept. on ATV Safety Class
On Saturday, Oct. 1st, 6 of our ATV Safety Instructors teamed up with Deputy Travis Collette to hold an ATV Safety Class at the Walker High School, in cooperation with WHS Community Education. It was a beautiful fall day, and we certified another 9 youth, who were all excited to get their safety certificates. Thanks to all the club’s volunteer instructors and helpers who took time off from their fall schedule to help out: Chuck and Julie Andrews, Mike Ebinger, John Dickerman, John Roscoe, Marv Hartneck, Dave Halsey.
New Club Trailer Is Ordered!
Using $10,000 we received from the Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S. Grant Program, we are buying a trailer for the club. Thanks to the Trailer Committee, headed up by John Dickerman, who did the research and placed the order for an 18 ft. ATC enclosed trailer. We will use it for ATV Safety Training Classes, club rides and events, Trail Ambassador rides, and as an ATV/OHM education trailer, welcoming people inside the trailer at community events, where we will pass out maps, safety training CDs, youth safety activity books and other materials. The custom-built trailer will arrive around December 1st.
The Grant-In-Aid ATV Trail Is On!
Phase 1 of our DNR Grant-In-Aid ATV Trail is moving forward. It will connect Longville to Whipholt, about a 12 mile trail. We had some difficulty this summer trying to figure out how to design the trail in the ROW from Forest Road 2100 to Longville, which has numerous wetlands. Cass County is stepping in and making it possible for their highway engineer to help us design that 2.5 mile stretch using funds from timber sales to pay for his time. Thanks to Josh Stevenson and Dave Enblom of Cass County and Greg Snyder of the MN DNR for making that happen. Phase 2 will connect Whipholt to Hackensack. Phase 3 will connect Hackensack to the Foot Hills State Forest. About 20 club members have been involved in the many meetings on this project over the past year, which is fantastic. If you are interested in helping plan, build and name this trail, contact Dave Halsey, John Dickerman or Dick Buche.
Woodtick Trail To Remain Closed For Now.
In September, the Chippewa National Forest released its Decision Notice for the South Leech Lake 2 Project. It includes a few miles of Forest Roads that will be re-opened to OHVs. Unfortunately, the Woodtick Trail is not among them and will remain closed for now. Our club commented at every stage of the project, hoping to get 6 miles of the Woodtick re-opened from Cub Lake to Mocassin Lake, which would have re-created 3 loops and re-allowed access to the Woodtick to hundreds of families with ATVs who have homes or cabins on lakes north and south of the Woodtick. We met with District Ranger Carolyn Upton on October 1st, and she agreed to keep discussions open on this issue. The SLL2 Decision Notice and map showing roads that will be open to ATVs next spring can be found on the Chippewa NF web site.
Longville ATV Ordinance Moving Forward.
The Longville city attorney has been working with the ordinance this summer to make sure it follows all state statutes regarding the permitting of ATVs and golf carts to ride on city streets. The ordinance should be in place in coming months, which will be great for resident and visiting OHV riders and Longville businesses.
Woodtick Wheelers Nominated for NOHVCC “Club of the Year”
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) held its annual conference in Minneapolis in late September, including pre-conference ATV/OHM rides at Zumbro Bottoms and Nemadji State Forest. During the awards banquet it was announced that the Woodtick Wheelers was nominated for Club of the Year, along with the Central Lakes ATV Club. The Cheaha Trail Riders in Alabama won the award, which is much deserved for its incredible trail projects over the years. Learn more at
nohvcc.org.
We Get E-Mails!
A lot of people have contacted the club this summer, wondering where they can ride while vacationing in the Hackensack/Longville area. We’ve provided many families with trail information, and some were so happy for the help they joined the club! We hope to print a trails map in the future.
Wanted: More Safety Instructors and Trail Ambassadors.
Watch the DNR web site for dates and places to take the 1-day courses to become a DNR-certified ATV safety training instructor and a Trail Ambassador. Our Trail Ambassadors rode many new trails this year, had a great time and earned a good deal of grant money we can put toward safety training materials and our club trailer.
Hoodies and T-shirts are still available.
Stop by Dave Halsey’s cabin to find your size and favorite color.
Want to get more involved with the club? Got questions or comments?
Send one of the officers an email or give us a call.
David Halsey, President
John Dickerman, VP
Chuck Andrews, Secretary
Karen Nytes, Treasurer