P.E.I. snowmobilers are keen to get outside after a fresh snowfall, but some landowners wish they’d stick to the trails.
Matt Compton took to social media last week about two instances of snowmobiles passing within five feet of his house, just steps away from his dog’s shelter.
“That’s super close. That’s super disrespectful to do something that close (to the house),” said Compton.
A nearby trail runs to the east of his property in St. Eleanors, and Compton is OK with the machines crossing some of the back fields to get to the gas station.
“Exactly where they’re travelling is perfectly fine by me. But, we have strawberries all around there, so we are concerned if we see tracks in the wrong place, but where they’re travelling is perfectly fine.”
He hoped the first time the riders crossed into the yard was just a mistake, he figured someone had gotten lost or needed to get to the road.
“But the second time was a little much,” he said.
“It’s P.E.I., there’s only so many places they can travel. I realize it’s hard to find gas stations sometimes. I know why they’re using the back part of my field and I know where they’re going and that’s OK as long as they stay to that area.”
“We can’t enforce where people go. We provide a service to our members; we provide them with a trail system. What they do on their own, there’s nothing I can do.”
-P.E.I. Snowmobilers Association president Dale Hickox
'Got to be understanding'
Comments made on his Feb. 26 Facebook post suggested burying rebar or setting similar booby traps, but Compton he’s “not about that.”
Compton is aiming for a friendly approach in response to the behaviour he called "rude."
“You’ve got to be firm about it, but you’ve got to be understanding,” he said.
The P.E.I. Snowmobile Association manages approximately 900 kilometres of groomed trails with the help of the Kensington Area Snowmobile Association and Springside Snowmobile Club.
Association president Dale Hickox said the association policy is for snowmobilers to remain in the marked trails.
“We can’t enforce where people go. We provide a service to our members; we provide them with a trail system. What they do on their own, there’s nothing I can do.”
The RCMP said they do receive numerous complaints each year about snowmobilers on private property, and Hickox said that’s where he sends anyone with concerns as well.
“Anytime these calls come in, we highly recommend these people phone the RCMP or Conservation (officers),” he said.
