With the popularity of their sport rising, Minnesota's recreation-vehicle dealers say riders need more trails.
Area dealers agreed with parts of a state legislative auditor's report released Wednesday that was critical of the Department of Natural Resources' approach to trails for four-wheel-drive trucks, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles.
They agree, for instance, the state needs more trails.
"The (recreational vehicle) market has expanded so fast they haven't been able to keep up with demand," said Keith Gulbranson, owner of Gulbranson Equipment in Park Rapids "The trails they have right now are OK, they just don't have enough of them."
And with frustrated snowmobilers turning to ATVs, the lack of trails is a problem.
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"This year we didn't sell virtually any sleds, but you sell ATVs every day," said Orrin Okeson, co-owner of Okeson Offtrail Sales in Detroit Lakes.
Gulbranson, however, isn't sure the industry needs more regulation, as the report indicates.
"There are regulations on top of regulation these days," he said. "We don't need more."
Russell Seaberg, co-owner of Seaberg Powersports in Detroit Lakes, disagrees.
"If they don't have something in their bag for enforcement, it is just a free-for-all," he said. "I like to enjoy the trails, to see them and not have it look like you are driving around a demolition derby."
Seaberg agrees with the report's findings that the DNR needs to do a better job maintaining trails.
He said the state receives a $21.50 license fee for every ATV sale.
"It seems to me they should have a pretty good fund going for trail acquisition, signage and maintenance," he said.
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The dealers disagrees riders need more training.
Gulbranson said riders go through an hour-long training session after purchasing an ATV.
Okeson isn't so sure that is enough.
"I don't know," he said. "If you drive for the conditions, anyone is trained. When you get speed involved things change fast."
Gulbranson said the state could do a better job educating riders where to ride.
Popular area recreational vehicles trails include the Smokey Hills Forest near Osage and Spider Lake near Menahga.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Baird at (701) 241-5535
