With hunting season underway across most of Ontario, I set out on an adventure with Larry Berrio aimed at giving us hunters and ATVers a much-needed refresher when it comes to ATV safety. In this article, we'll discuss what you need to know this time of year as well as general rules for on- and off-roading ATV riding in Ontario.
Larry partnered with the O.P.P Snowmobile, ATV, and Vessel Education (S.A.V.E.) Unit and had Constable Brian Bowes and Sargent Andy Bishop join us for the trip. The S.A.V.E. Unit is based out of North Bay and covers all of the northeast region encompassing Parry Sound, west to White River, and north to Hearst. The unit also provides support to the northwest region on a request basis.
The S.A.V.E. Units’ primary objective is to work with communities and stakeholders to ensure that Ontario’s trails and waterways are a safe place for outdoor enthusiasts. This is achieved by maintaining a presence on trails and waterways, addressing high-risk behavior, and alerting the public to the risks associated with boating, snowmobiling, and off-roading.
Monday morning Larry and I met up just outside Sudbury, Ontario and began our journey to the amazing Obabika Lake Lodge north of West Nipissing. As all good adventures go, we ended up taking some very questionable roads through the gorgeous countryside of Northern Ontario. I wouldn’t say we were lost, but we definitely weren’t sure where we needed to go.