Semi-legal Wheeling

[MattedMatt]

There is nowhere around here in Northwest Ohio to wheel. After talking to a friend at school with a lifted Wrangler, he said there is a place off of a pretty sketchy road that is supposedly legal to go on. It is private property but the man who owns it allows 4x4s and ATVs on the property. To get back to it though you have to drive along the stone part on the side of a railroad track for maybe 1000 feet or so. Would you guys do it or not?

 

[4Running Daily]

How old are you?

Under 18= Go for it

 

[MattedMatt]

16. I think that's still old enough to play dumb right?

 

[mcaz5]

Under 18= Go for it

My thoughts exactly. I've only got a few more months until I'm legal!

 

[TT4RLtdV8]

Stuck in Ohio

Same boat. Live in Green - except for a few field access trails and a muddy parking lot everyonce in a while, its preeeetty boring up here for any wheeling.

 

[Dan.3]

So this person owns land that he can't get to legally??

 

[MattedMatt]

Exactly, [MENTION=83639]Dan.3[/MENTION] There is a house at the end of the road that leads to the tracks and it would make sense that they own it, but looking on Google Maps tells a different story. It seriously just looks like a plot that can't be accessed by any roads.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Why don't you just go ask the land owner's permission?

Risking any legal troubles "because I'm young enough to get away with it" is not very cool.

I assume you are joking because what I heard is "young enough to have Dad's lawyer bail me out"

All joking aside just ask the land owner.

------

Btw I have to drive an hour and a half to wheel. Are you telling me there is nowhere within 90 miles that you can go wheeling?

 

[mrtucker80]

It would have to have some frontage somewhere. Google earth can be deceiving, the property lines and the field and fence rows seen from an aerial are differnt things and do not mean that the house at the end of the road doesn't own the whole parcel.

Also, playing dumb might get you in less trouble, but trespassing is still trespassing so just keep that in mind and be respectful. Pick up your garbage and don't cut down any trees or anything like that.

I was young once and still remember having to go and apologize for the ruts that I made one Sunday afternoon while out playing, two pickups and a tractor will make a lot of ruts, ah good times...

 

[Dan.3]

Exactly, [MENTION=83639]Dan.3[/MENTION] There is a house at the end of the road that leads to the tracks and it would make sense that they own it, but looking on Google Maps tells a different story. It seriously just looks like a plot that can't be accessed by any roads.

That's kind of messed up but it is what it is. I would highly recommend that you get both land owners written permission. Written permission from the land owner to use the property and written permission of the other land owner to use their land to acces the land you want to go to. This hobby has enough trouble with people try to shut down offroad parks, private and public. Trespassing on private property ASSUMING is ok just adds fuel to the fire if you happen to get caught. Just because you are not old enough to be liable for any damages does t mean your parents art. There are a few places in PA or MI to go legally. Might be an hour or two drive but you wouldn't have to worry about getting in trouble.

 

[benedict1337]

I used to have permission from a landowner at a pretty cool spot to go wheeling, now Wegman's bought it and I can't go wheeling there anymore... Its always good to ask before you trespass. If Ohio is like Pennsylvania state game lands are usually pretty good to go wheeling, just be aware of hunting season's

 

[MattedMatt]

Well I obviously haven't done it yet and am all about being respectful to whoever owns it. I'd be pissed if someone who I didn't invite came crashing through my backyard. I've looked into it some more (stalker mode) and it may be a septic and well drilling service that owns it whose owner went to school with my mom, so that's a plus. Thanks though guys, I will be asking the neighboring people tomorrow. And there isn't anywhere that I'm aware of, possibly a place called Bundy Hill but the rest are 3+ hours.

 

[JWaldz]

I think ones self should do a little research in Tread Lightly. I wish someone taught me about it when I was young and reckless.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Are railroads like highways in that the government owns the property directly beside the tracks/asphalt?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Off topic, kinda relevant though...

My father owns a ton of land in Eastern Oregon... His land, in some areas, completely surrounds land that was owned by BLM years ago when grandpappy Wilson bought all this land...

A few years ago some Lawyer from Portland saw one of these pieces of land, 400 acres in prime hunting territory, and bought it. Sight unseen. Well, there is no possible way to access that land without trespassing on my dad's property. He has since hired a little helicopter and flies to it occasionally, but my dad is sort of mean (really he just doesn't like this guy- he's a pompous prick) and will not allow him to cross his property, to get to the property he purchased during hunting season. Mostly because the guy's a prick, but also because people pay quite a bit of money to hunt my father's land and would be pretty upset if some other dude was out there.

I'd keep it legal, my friend. What if you get stuck out there?