TO OUR LANDOWNERS:
The Maine Snowmobile Association thanks all of the landowners across the state who are gracious enough to allow marked snowmobile trails to cross their property. Obviously without your generosity there would be no Maine snowmobile trail system for our members to enjoy.
The Association encourages our 285+ clubs to maintain contact with the landowners who allow access, show respect for their property, carry in/carry out and abide by the private landowner’s wishes and special needs concerning recreational access.
Many local clubs express their thanks to the landowners individually, with landowner dinners, thank you notes and public advertisement of their appreciation – consider this note a thank you from all of the MSA members who ride the trails throughout Maine.
If you should encounter any problems or concerns with existing snowmobile trails on your property and do not have current contact information, please feel free to call the MSA office (207-622-6983) or e-mail the MSA. We can supply you with a contact name and telephone number for the local snowmobile club. Snowmobile clubs should be happy to assist you with any needed rerouting or additional signage of trails.
You can also contact Rick Laflamme, the Landowner Relations Specialist with the Maine Landowner Relations Program at the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 207-287-5240. In addition, IF&W offers a variety of signs for landowners – free of charge or for a nominal fee. To view/order the signs online visit the IF&W web site follow links to the Online Store.
You may also want to read the Maine Landowner Liability Law, which protects Maine landowners who allow recreational access from liability for injury to users.
TO OUR RIDERS:
Over 95% of Maine’s snowmobile trails are on private property. Since Maine landowners have a valued history of sharing access to their land with responsible recreationists, private land ownership is a very good thing for Maine snowmobilers. When snowmobile club members seek permission to establish a snowmobile trail, they’re generally dealing with landowners who are their neighbors, employers, relatives. This means that Maine snowmobilers have a great responsibility to the landowners. These folks are trusting all of us to treat their property with respect. Stay on the marked trails and do not leave any litter behind.
Landowner permission for snowmobiles has been given for the marked trails. Riding off the trail system or using the trails for purposes other than snowmobiling requires asking for the landowners’ permission. Ask first, rather than being asked to leave.
Many large landowners who allow snowmobile trail access in Maine are involved with the logging and pulp and paper industries. Their heavy equipment and logging trucks often are working in the same areas where snowmobilers travel. Never snowmobile on plowed roads and monitor trail condition reports for trail closures and reroutes due to logging operations.
Additional landowners are small woodlot owners and farmers. Their land is also their livelihood. Please stay on the marked trail or you may damage their ability to earn a living, and end recreational access to their valuable property.
Everyone who enjoys snowmobiling in Maine is depending on you to act responsibly on the trails.