National Grasslands Roads

[SLE]

Can someone enlighten me on the rules for which roads we can drive on in the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Had a warden harass us a couple weeks ago and told us he was "pretty sure" we couldn't drive the numbered FDR or mapped two track roads when I ran into him and asked him about access to some locations and that we should use the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) to know which roads we can or can not use. I was using Onx. I can't find a current MVUM anywhere online and the Find Your Adventure Forest Service App is worthless for this. I was under the assumption that if it was a number or named road or two track, you are allow to drive it as long as there isn't a fire restriction on those roads. I called the watford city Forest Service Office and asked them and he told me we could drive those roads but it took him a while and he didn't seem very sure of himself. Seems like the people that should know the rules out there don't really know them for certain either.

 

[1lessdog]

See if you can find a updated Grassland map. I always bought mine in Medora at the Courthouse. They will show you what roads can be driven on.

 

[SLE]

That's what I've been looking for. Medora is about an hour and half out of the way. The Watford City office didn't offer anything of the such when I called. Maybe they have them there and he didn't even know.

 

[1lessdog]

If you get to Bismarck. You can get a map at the headquarters

The headquarters for the Little Missouri National Grassland is managed as part of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor's Office located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

 

[NodakBob]

Billings County has a burn ban on that restricts non essential traffic to surfaced roadways…two tracks are closed to recreational users.

 

[SDMF]

County Registrar’s office should also be able to tell or show you what’s what.

 

[SLE]

Billings County has a burn ban on that restricts non essential traffic to surfaced roadways…two tracks are closed to recreational users.

My elk tag is for McKenzie and Dunn (E2) so not worried about the others at this time

 

[1lessdog]

My elk tag is for McKenzie and Dunn (E2) so not worried about the others at this time

I have helped a number of hunter harvest Elk in unit 2. You have lots of time to hunt and places to hunt. Find landowners that do not have tags. They have the best advice. A good pair of field glasses and high hills and do a lots of placing from the road. You can glass more from the road in a hr. Then you can glass in 8 hrs walking.

 

[SLE]

I have helped a number of hunter harvest Elk in unit 2. You have lots of time to hunt and places to hunt. Find landowners that do not have tags. They have the best advice. A good pair of field glasses and high hills and do a lots of placing from the road. You can glass more from the road in a hr. Then you can glass in 8 hrs walking.

I've been scouting out there for the last 3 weeks, will be out there again this weekend with opening day for rifle set for Oct 2nd. Don't have anything specifically tied down yet but gotten a few tips from various landowners and locals. At least I know where they aren't located right now, lol. Much to what you posted is why I'm trying to figure out what roads I can drive or can't, legally. A few of those places get pretty inaccessible without a 5+ mile hike if you can't use the named or numbered two tracks. Not afraid to hike in and pack one out but also don't need to hike in miles thinking I'm by myself only to have a truck drive within shouting distance and blow it or be back in spot after I just hiked in thinking I had it to myself. Of course want to make sure I don't get sideways with the wardens, rangers, or landowners.