Forest / Loggin Road Gates

[jakeaba]

Hello,

I recently did my first bear hunt and was able to hike up some logging roads that were gated shut. If people could drive around on them I’m sure they would be much less of an ideal spot, but after a bunch of google searching I couldn’t quite figure out if these gates become open at some point in the year. I’m from out west but currently stationed in Louisiana, so e scouting is great but I don’t want to put too much faith in these roads if they become truck hunter highways.

Any info / opinions appreciated!

Jacob

 

[Pony Soldier]

A lot of the gates open after June 15 in western Mt. Most close October 15th.

 

[Customweld]

The easiest way (in Idaho anyways) is to get a motor vehicle use map from the national forest in which you are in. They generally include roads that are seasonally closed .

 

[beauhunter]

+1 for what @Customweld said. The MVUM is the most reliable source of info on road restrictions. OnX isn't reliable enough for the types of roads you are looking for. I have found roads on OnX that say they are open all year that I know are decommissioned. Get a hold of the Forest Service and get the MVUM for the areas you're looking at. It's the best way to get reliable and current info.

 

[jakeaba]

Thank you for a point in the right direction fellas! Huge help


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[Jethro]

FS office will send you MVUM at no charge.

 

[CorbLand]

Second what other have said about reaching out to FS for maps.

Some of them will open up around the first to middle of June but some of the gates will be closed year round. There are a lot of service roads that are gated that provide access for certain needs but are closed to the public. You can hike and/or bike them.

 

[dtrkyman]

Many I have been around in the west are open May 1st for the most part, of course that is not across the board, I searched it a few times and found dates listed on FS. site.

 

[11boo]

And some gates will be a seasonal cattle grazing closure, usually signed as such. Open it, go thru, close it.

 

[jakeaba]

Once again, great info thank you all! Will make planning much easier MVUM I’ll remember that


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[11boo]

And don’t freak out when you are on public land and find a fence. USFS allows them in some areas to keep cattle in/out.

 

[roadrunner]

Another "copy cat" reply here, depends on the use of the road and the FS use management plan.

Check with the most local ranger district in the area.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Download Avenza Maps. It is a free app and has the USFS use maps along with open\close dates and other use information. I use the info to mark gate locations in OnX and put the dates in the waypoint notes.

 

[jakeaba]

Thank you! Great tips appreciate it, just got my first bear this weekend. Let the planning begin for next spring! This will all help a lot, again, thank you!


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[JJJ]

Gaia gps has a MVUM layer that is interactive.
Click on the road and it tells you when it’s open/closed.