Ice and Snow – Recipe For Fun And Danger

As the weather gets colder and more and more of us feel the urge to get out and do some thing the Maine Game Wardens remind us of a few snowmobile things to keep at the top of mind.

• This snowmobile season, the Maine Warden Service, Brookfield Renewable, and the Maine Snowmobile Association have again teamed up to stress early season snowmobiling hazards, specifically thin ice and open water dangers. Operating on unfamiliar water bodies is a common contributing factor with fatal snowmobile incidents. We are asking all riders to be particularly vigilant near all of Maine’s river’s, ponds, and lakes. Additionally we are asking riders to respect warning signs—especially near hydropower facilities.
• To reduce incidents related to snowmobile crashes and search and rescue incidents, we are asking riders to focus on leaving trip plans. If riders deviate significantly from trip plans, letting a family member know is critical. Search and rescue involves significant resources and are often hazardous to conduct. Many search and rescue missions can be avoided using good common sense. When possible, we ask that snowmobilers carry a mobile phone in the event of an emergency and dial 911.
• Snowmobile riders must practice good landowner relations. Most of Maine’s 14,000 miles of groomed trails are available by the generosity of private landowners. Staying on designated trails and refraining from modified exhausts will help ensure future private land access.

MAINE’S MOST COMMON CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SNOWMOBILE INCIDENTS

• Operating too fast for conditions.
• Driving beyond the effectiveness of headlights.
• Driving beyond operator abilities.
• Operating on unfamiliar bodies of water.

Need to register your snowmobile?  Click here

Are there rules? Yup

Now for more of the fun part.

Maine and New Brunswick Free Trail Weekend: From February 12-14, 2016, snowmobilers from Maine can obtain a FREE 3-Day Trail Permit to ride in New Brunswick. The special free permit must be obtained online by visiting www.nbfsc.com. All snowmobiles and snowmobilers on NBFSC trails will still be required to carry personal PLPD insurance ($200,000.00 minimum) and have a current 2016 snowmobile registration from Maine. Additionally, riders from New Brunswick will be permitted to operate in Maine without a current Maine registration on those dates.

With more than 14,000 miles of interconnected, groomed and marked trails, we hope that enthusiasts participate in these great opportunities to discover Maine’s tremendous riding.

Happy winter riding!