It's been too long since your reps have met on Vancouver Island. Here's your chance to sit and chat over a pint and let them know what's on your mind. They'd love to hear about your wheeling concerns and fill you in on what they can do for you. Check out our poster and pass this message on. Thanks! Glyn Trafford 4WDABC VP and Region 1 Director (Vancouver Island)
is anyone going to this?
i cant drive all the way up there just for that seeing as i'm out in brentwood but if anyone does go and can ask about what the plan for gates getting locked is. was talking to a logger few months ago and he said they plan on locking up the whole south lsland and giving out tickets if your found on there land more then one time. also if you look at a bunch of the good back wood fishing lakes that are stocked every year with OUR money you are not able to even get there and fish unless you are a logger and have a key. just kinda getting the feeling that you can't even go for a drive in the woods anymore and see the country cuz of the odd guy that wrecks there gear. why not just trail cam it and let people in? everything was fine when they had all the gates open and hunting was open cuz so many people were out on the back roads and would spot people doing shit they should not be doing then hunting ended and everyone started messing with they shit. maybe people know more then i do ad i'm sure they do but to me it looks like we are going to be lossing our back contry playground really fast
Yea gates are a huge hassle and we all pay for some.few people who ruin it for everyone, its always like that. There should be some.sort of middle ground between loggers and companies, and us. Alot of those backroads aren't even used anymore, what's the point of closing them?
Unfortunately, we have no legal recourse to get the gates opened on southern VI. The bottom line is that almost all the land is privately owned and they are entitled to lock it down. I know its a drag since for decades it was open and we had free access, not anymore. I do think that it has to do with the "raves" that were happening as well as the logging companies equipment getting vandalized. The 4WDABC has been successful at getting a key program for locked gates on the mainland. It's something we could work toward here too. There needs to be an interest from us AND a reason for the logging companies to allow us access on their private land. We need to find that reason. They won't just let us in since there's no positive spin for them. All of these points are valid concerns. I'm loving the input form Island wheelers, keep this coming! I hope to see a lot of you at the meet and greet.
what was the reason given on the mainland for that key program? and how did it work?
Can the reason not be the lakes that the government pay to stock with fish for us to go up with our friends and family to fish. When I was looking into a few spots to camp this winter with my son I found a list of island lakes they stock but are locked. I know not all of you fish but would get you in and they unlock for the hunters why not fisherman and that's a year round thing. Just some thoughts
agreed I also fish and would appreciate something like that, not just commercial, in town lakes
Hi all, first post.
This is a huge issue. I know these forest companies think the land is theirs but I'm not sure I agree. To my knowledge it was gifted to them by a past BC government that really had no right to do so. I understand their issue when dumb-asses destroying their equipment but locking the general public out of a HUGE portions of VI is wrong. This has to change.
HD
Hmm, sounds cool. I may stop in
So....where would this be gents?
About the key program. It's awesome. Cost me a 50.00 deposit. I have a key to eagle mountain in Coquitlam. It's all about the honor system. You sign an agreement they give you the key and a map. You open the gate, go through, and lock it behind you. Keeps the morons out. I loved it. Should be here too.
Some really thought provoking topics here. I'm really excited about the passion I see for this. On the topic of fishing access. Are the lakes on private land? Or are they TFL or Crown? That would make a difference. Before the gates went up Fisheries used to stock those lakes, I'm not sure they still do? We'd need to find that out. This is a good start.
If we can find Crown land that we need to access through private land that's another option too. Especially if the Crown land has a Rec Site that WE (island 4X4ers) could maintain.
On the topic of the mainland key program, first it took over 10 years to implement. There was Crown land that had always had 4X4, access then gates went up on private Hydro property and timber property bordering on a golf course. The gates were bypassed and the course driven through, and eventually EVERYONE was fed up. So 4x4ers, clubs, 4WDABC, individuals, the 3 private land holders, and various levels of government worked out the "key program". So, it is doable here, we just need to figure out our best approach.
On the topic of the VI land grab, well it happened over 100 years ago. I don't know how much traction we can get on that. It wasn't "gifted" it was given as payment to Dunsmuir as a Land Grant after he built the E&N railway. He sold it, and it's been sold a few times since then to various timer companies. It is private land. Even the First Nations are trying to carve some of it back as well, and are being stuck behind political roadblocks.
Keep this coming, it is great fodder for discussion at our meeting! Thanks.
Gate I hold key for could not have been bypassed without a large bulldozer or backhoe. After 40 years of off roading, even I couldn't figure a way around.
I've never had the opportunity to wheel in that area. You have way more knowledge than I.
Sooooooo. ......how about that meet and greet
The info's in my first post at the top of the page. In Nanaimo at the Black Bear on Feb 20th from 6 PM.
Maybe I'll start reading the whole posts from now on
here is a list of lakes that they stocked i dont know all the areas that well but if any of you know of ones the they lock the gate on then that could help our fight. http://www.gofishbc.com/docs/default-source/future-fish-stocking-plans/2...
dave you gona be heading up to that meeting?
PLEASE NOTE: there's been a location change for the 4WDABC Meet & Greet this Saturday. Same date and time, new venue:
Carlos O’Bryans Pub at 1724 Stewart Ave. Nanaimo. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE YOU KNOW IS GOING.
Lois lake i know for a fact is on island timberlands property. The gate is open from 7am -4pm most weekends but thers no camping or overnighting and dont be late or your locked in.. at your own expence. I know a back way in or out I suppose but I wont share online.
Glyn we spoke of this subject in passing when we were out that one day a couple years back. I think the best bet would to try to aquire some land thru a not for profit society,and use that area for a rec site. If there were crown land availabe for this i already have the forms to apply for permanent and non permanent facilities. However in the target area there is next to nothng. This would most likely need to be administrated by a small council. Problem is trying to attain the capital for an expendature like that. I suppose if we started doing fundraisers involving cleanups of some favorite spots. Tours for people who arent inclined to gear themselves up. And sponsorships.. getting involved with other societies to spread the good word about freedom from the land holders.
Also i dont think were gonna make it up to nanimo for this. I amlaid off and broke as a joke
Thanks for the comments. I'm sure that topic will come up. Too bad we won't see you up there on Saturday.