May 2014 Newsletter

President’s Message: 

Hi Members,

I was looking at the last two newsletters and both referred to the long winter finally coming to an end.  At the same time I looked outside at the 12+ inches of snow from our recent storm.  Oh well!We will be having our May Club Meeting at the Groomer Shed in Trego.  We are planning to highlight the recent “Discover Wisconsin” showing of “Four Wheels, Four Counties”, that debuted on March 29th.  We also will view a short video on Washburn County, put together by Mike Peterson of the County Forestry Department.Our annual election for club officers and board members will also take place at this meeting.  Please plan to attend, it is your club.

Dave Johnson

TRAIL REPORT: Great snowfall, great trails, but only the Wild River Trail is open if you are so inclined.  Beware of a 2′ x 3′ x 2′ deep sink hole in the middle of the Wild River Trail just north of the intersection that turns to “Wild River Sports.”  It is marked and will be repaired as soon as the snow is gone and the source of the problem can be determined.  Upper brushing and pick up of brush on the ATV trails will take place in the next few weeks.

If you have some time to help on the trails or see a problem, please call Jim at 715-635-8661.

CLUB ELECTIONS: Club members we have positions open, if interested in running for a position please call Gerrit  at 715-635-4188, voting will be in May.

Currently holding positions… President – Open, Vice President – Dave Johnson, Secretary – Rob Alder, Treasurer – John Patrick, Board seats – Dagny Johnson, Harry Durand & Craig Hanson

Club Rides and Events:

I would like all members to get involved in these events that we schedule. Even if you don’t have an ATV or Snowmobile you can still follow us by car boat, motorcycle or walk. We are still looking for more places to go. Do you want to go more than one night? Let Gerrit  know at 715-635-4188.

Groomer Operators

A big THANK YOU to Roger Lundeen, Lundeen Farm Automation for recently treating the groomer operators and their spouses to a “night out”.  Roger showed his appreciation to the operators for the hundreds of donated hours spent grooming.  He stated that “the Rolling Hills Trails were awesome all winter.”

Letter of Appreciation:                            April 6th

Good Morning Jim,

It is 48 degrees in Oconomowoc (Waukesha County) with a high of almost 60 and I can’t believe that my son and I had a great time riding in your county yesterday!

Just a quick thank you for having trail maps on the tourism building (Kwik Trip didn’t have any, sent us over). We unloaded and went around the loop and back to the trailer. This was a great way to try out my son’s 2012 Polaris Assault that we had purchased from a private party in NW Minneapolis.

We left Oconomowoc at 7:30 am. and bought the sled at noon. Knowing your county was on Travel Wisconsin and the voice mail was updated Friday and Saturday when we checked again as Minnesota had no snow… We headed over and found great trail conditions, a nice place to unload and ride, and I discovered a big train museum that I’ll be back in summer to see!

We put on 330 miles to get the sled, 50 miles riding and a total 430 miles back home by 11:30 pm!! Great day for sure!

Thanks for having trail maps outside for us! Had we been able to stay for more than two hours we would have stopped in at the local supporters on the map and also told them thanks. We will be back!

Robb & Mike Brinkmann

Members Oconomowoc Throttle Jockies

AWSC Cap/Step Update:

What You Need to Know About the New WI Trail Pass under WI Act 142 (CAP – Club Assistance Program)

1. When does this new law go into effect? July 1, 2015. Act 142 requires each sled operating on trails to display a WI Trail Pass to be purchased annually. This is separate from the WI snowmobile registration.

2. What is the cost of the trail pass? Once Act 142 is implemented, if your membership dues with one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide are up to date and the club has paid your AWSC dues, the cost of the Trail Pass will be $10. If you are purchasing the new Trail Pass and are NOT an AWSC and snowmobile club member the cost will be $30 per snowmobile.

3. Do I have to join a club? No – It will be your choice to join one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide. Please remember that without the clubs and volunteers there would be NO TRAILS! It is the club volunteers that provide and maintain the WI Snowmobile Trail System.

4. Where do the funds from the trail pass go? The revenue generated from the sale of snowmobile registrations and Trail Passes will go into the state snowmobile program’s segregated fund.

5. How do I obtain my trail pass? Those details and processes have yet to be determined by the State along with the AWSC.

6. Do I still have to register my snowmobile with the State of WI? Yes – However the registration fee structure will change to a $30/3 year registration. Currently it is $30/2 years.

7. Is the Out of State (Non-Resident) trail pass going to increase in cost? Yes – It will increase to $50 from $35 (current).

8. My snowmobile is 30 years (or older.) Do I still need a trail pass? The new law provides a free annual (yearly) Trail Pass sticker to be displayed on sleds 30 years and older. However, snowmobiles still need to be registered. Note: Change in registration fee $30/3 year registration.

9. If I don’t live in WI can I still register my snowmobile(s) in WI? Yes – If you reside in another State you can still register your snowmobiles in WI. If you chose to belong to one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide and are up to date with membership dues and the club has paid your AWSC dues, the cost of the Trail Pass will be $10. If you do not belong to a club in WI your trail pass will cost $30. Otherwise you will have to purchase the Out of State trail pass for $50 if your snowmobile is registered in another state.