Sportsmen get exemption from snowmobile trail permits

Christmas present this year thanks to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and the Government of Ontario. With the support of the OFSC, and subject to certain specific conditions, the Government recently passed a regulation under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act that extends to qualified anglers and hunters a limited exemption from the new requirement to have and display a Snowmobile Trail Permit while riding an OFSC trail.

The Snowmobile Trail Permit is not a blanket exemption for all anglers and hunters. First, to be exempt they must prove that they are presently engaged in the activity in question.

Then the limited exemption will only apply on an OFSC snowmobile trail on Crown or public land, not on private property. It will only apply on an OFSC trail that is the most direct route to and from an area open for angling or hunting if that trail is the only, or the only safe, access route from the closest road to that open area.

Anglers who are claiming this limited exemption must carry a valid fishing or fishing/hunting outdoors card and a valid sport fishing tag. Hunters must have a valid outdoors card, a valid licence to hunt and be carrying hunting equipment. Any angler or hunter who does not meet the criteria specified in the regulation is subject to a fine for not having a Snowmobile Trail Permit while riding an OFSC trail, which ranges from a minimum of $200 to a maximum of $1,000.

“Since the new permit requirement under Bill 101 is aimed at recreational snowmobilers, the OFSC is pleased to include a limited number of anglers and hunters in the Snowmobile Trail Permit exemptions while they are engaged in their primary winter recreational activity of hunting or fishing,” commented OFSC General Manager Ron Purchase. “In return, we are asking anglers and hunters to cooperate by using a non-OFSC route wherever possible and buying a Snowmobile Trail Permit if riding a snowmobile on an OFSC trail is, or becomes, a primary recreational activity.”

Bill 101, an act to promote snowmobile trail sustainability and enhance snowmobile safety and enforcement was passed earlier this year. It amends the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act and supporting regulations and the Trespass to Property Act to reinforce the current user pay system for OFSC snowmobile trails by requiring a Snowmobile Trail Permit. The permit requirement does not apply to non-OFSC trails or to individuals using those trails for walking, skiing or snowshoeing. Some groups received a limited exemption from the trail permit requirement to provide access to their property or work area, and henceforth some anglers and hunters will also enjoy that privilege, but under the Act, there is no provision for permit refunds.

“It is crucial that the public understand and appreciate that OFSC snowmobile trails are primarily funded through trail permit sales,” concluded Purchase. “So anyone who uses an OFSC trail regularly, thereby also contributing to its wear and tear, should buy a permit so that the local club has the money to keep it open and groomed. It’s a question of fairness that all users help pay for the upkeep. Many anglers and hunters already support OFSC trails by buying a trail permit each winter.”

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs to establish and maintain quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to further the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.