In reference to Dylan Darling’s April 5 article about the Ochoco Summit Trail System: Richard Nelson says he has been hunting in the area for 25 years.

Well, he’s a newcomer.

Myself and other Ochoco Trail Rider members have been riding in the Ochocos since the 1960s. He probably hasn’t seen us during deer season because most riders I know don’t ride during general deer season. Before Travel Management was implemented, OHVs were allowed to ride just about everywhere in the forest. We rode cow trails, wild horse trails, old Level 1 roads etc.

Now all of that is illegal, which is why the Forest Service is required to have a trail system. ATVs and motorcycles won’t go away, and right now many roads in the Ochocos are open to OHVs. Doesn’t it make sense to have them on a designated trail than on a road?

During the years of Travel Management meetings that I attended, the Oregon Hunters Association was there. It was the general feeling of the group that the Ochoco Summit was the best place for an OHV system.

I don’t know if hunters know that game retrieval is not legal with a motorized vehicle any longer. Woodcutters cannot drive where they want to either.

Larry Ulrich,

President, Ochoco Trail Riders

Bend