Syracuse.com - Snowmobile season starts Wednesday

[HuntingNY-News]

The season opener is tied to the close of the big game hunting season, which closes at dusk tonight with the end of the muzzleloader season.

This week's cold, snowy weather is a godsend for Central New York snowmobilers, with the season kicking off Wednesday.

The season opener is tied to the close of the big game hunting season. The regular firearms season for deer/bear in the Southern Zone ended Dec. 8, and the late muzzle-loader season concludes at sunset today.

Jim Rolf, of Cicero, trail coordinator for the 62,000-member, New York State Snowmobile Association, this week answered several questions about the coming season:.

Will snowmobile trails throughout Central New York be open Wednesday?

I'd like to say they will be, but I can't. Hopefully, many will. It all depends on each individual club. The clubs have the final say on their trails. Statewide, there are 226 snowmobile clubs and 15 municipalities that maintain some 10,400 miles of trails. Each club maintains their section of the trail system and is responsible for securing permission from landowners, making sure their part of the trail is safe and cleared, clearing culverts, building bridges when needed and having the trail properly signed. It's all done on a volunteer basis. Volunteers also make sure the trails are groomed throughout the season.

So, how can I check which trails will be open and which will not?

Clubs use a variety of methods, from using their websites to social media (Facebook) - or using emails or even phone calls to members and other interested persons. Apart from that, our association has a website, nysnowmobiler.com, where you can look up specific areas and clubs, and get contact information that way. Keep in mind, though, this is still pretty early in the season. Some trails may not be finished or properly signed yet. If a sign says the trail is closed, please respect that.

What's the minimum standard for opening a trail?

We generally like to see at least 3 inches of packed trail base, which you get with about nine to 12 inches of excellent snow. That's probably the minimum.

Any new laws or regulations that snowmobilers should be aware of?

There is an update on the long-standing regulations concerning snowmobile exhaust noise. In the past there was a decibel level. A sled's noise can't exceed 78 decibels, which is about the sound a car would make if you were standing 12 feet away. A sled can't be modified to be any louder. The problem in the past was how law enforcement officers tested it. They didn't have the proper equipment. This year they will.

Every year, the association pushes for snowmobilers to join a club. Why?

Like I said, it's the individual clubs that keep the trail system safe and enjoyable for everyone. The whole system is supported by the snowmobile registration fees, which go into a state fund and then get distributed to the clubs after the season ends to help cover costs. But in reality, only about 50 percent of those costs get covered by the fund. The current state registration fee for snowmobiling is $100 per sled. If you join a club, the state will reduce your registration fee by $55 per sled as an incentive. Having more club members increases the amount of money in each club's coffers, thus helping with their expenses. The volunteers that each club taps into is from their membership.

How many snowmobilers were registered last year? It wasn't the best of winters for snowmobilers.

Last year, there were 132,000 registered snowmobilers in the state, which was better than the year before when there were only 92,000. With the early winter, we're hoping more will register this year.

Where did you snowmobile last year?

I rode the hills of Madison County, up through northern Oneida County. I traveled from Florence to Rome, all the way up to Penn Mountain, through Forestport, and up to Old Forge - and into the Adirondacks.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog