By Nigel Maxwell

Local snowmobilers cross the line

Dec 21, 2010 | 11:32 AM

People who live in the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert are getting fed up.

“I was in my kitchen doing dishes and I looked out and the snowmobilers were driving right past, and like they're in the middle of our land,” said one woman who did not wish to have her name disclosed.

RCMP received a number of calls regarding snowmobilers trespassing on private property.

Constable Ryan Case said it is a reoccurring issue each year.

“I think for the most part it is because a lot of people aren't aware that they are actually required to gain permission from a land owner.”

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He said fines for not asking permission can be steep.

“For a first time offence of not getting permission from a land owner to gain access to their land on a snowmobile, is a maximum of $100. And for a second and subsequent offenses, is a maximum $200.”

He encourages riders to ask permission.

“Not just for the fact that they are required to, but also on the land they are going on, there may be certain things that may make them not safe to be out there. For reasons like barbed wire fences, dugouts, or any type work being done on the land.”

Case said it can be difficult to track these people down, unless they are known to the land owner.

Some land owners have expressed interest in forming a group to talk about ways to solve the problem.

nmaxwell@panow.com