I'm as much of a motorhead as anyone, but ATV's are strictly for game retrieval during hunting season. Period.
The problem with this philosophy is the guys that are retrieving the game bring the ATV's right into prime elk habitat that others are hunting. There are still elk in that drainage. Maybe not real close, but they are there. Once that ATV comes chugging in, the elk leave that drainage. The ones bringing in the ATV don't care because they already got their elk and the hell with everyone else.
In Colorado at least and probably all NF and BLM lands, ATV's and other motorized vehicles are not permitted off approved trails for any reason.
Several years ago language was changed that very NF and BLM trail must have signage of what was permitted. Previous to that it only had to have signage of what was not permitted. So if you don't see an ATV symbol it is not permitted. Same with bicycles, horses, dogs, and hiking.
Any newer NF map or BLM map, now has traffic management areas marked on I. It takes a lawyer to figure them out ,but they are there.
