Seth Lorton: Snowmobile season coming to an end, maybe next winter brings more snow
Winter is coming to an end slowly, and with that, comes an end to the 2021-22 snowmobile season.
Overall, it has been a poor winter in terms of snowfall across the state. For once, East River has seen more snow than most of the Black Hills trail system. Portions of our trails, like in the Milbank and Sisseton area, saw enough snow for groomers to get out multiple times. I was able to ride the Milbank area trail a couple of times. While it was not the best conditions, it was still enjoyable, and there were multiple users on the trails.
The snowmobile trail system across the state is a self-funded program run by the South Dakota Snowmobile Association with multiple local area clubs across the state. The program gets funding through snowmobile sales and registrations, club member fees and donations. This pays for equipment like groomers and trail signs. It also generates funding to pay for Department of Game, Fish and Parks equipment and the hours to patrol the trails. The South Dakota Snowmobile Association allocates part of its funding to buy snowmobiles and clothing for officers.
The process for the trails starts in the fall. Any changes to the trail routes from the previous year must be approved.
The trails are put in every year by the snowmobile clubs. They typically put the trails in during late fall. Club members will get together and install the signs in the road right of ways. Occasionally the trail will come up on to the roadway or cross on to private land to go around hazards like water or bridges. Once the trails are installed, the clubs will notify either Ryan Raynor, the East River trail manager, or me. Then, we will go out to inspect the trails to make sure everything is properly signed and ensure the trail system is as safe as we can make it.
Patrolling the trails can either be done by snowmobile or by vehicle. The main thing that I am looking for when checking snowmobilers is that they have their snowmobiles registered. Snowmobiles differ from utility terrain vehicles and all-terrain vehicles in that they need to be registered with the state any time they are being operated off of private property owned by the operator. A common area unregistered snowmobiles are seen is on lakes during ice fishing season.
While most people think of the Black Hills when it comes to snowmobile trail riding, for locals in our area, our East River trail system can provide a lot of good riding opportunities without having to travel. Hopefully, next year sees an increase in snowfall amounts and better trail conditions.
The Black Hills trail system saw one of its worst years for snowfall amounts. For once, East River had the slightly better year.
While the season is winding down, there is still time to get out and enjoy this resource we have here East of the river. If you have any questions about the trail systems, rules or regulations, call your local GFP office.
Seth Lorton is a conservation officer with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: A lack of snow has hindered snowmobiling in much of South Dakota
