Help protect our public land resources for enjoyment by current and future generations

SILVER CITY, NM, February 21, 2024 – The weather is beginning to warm as the sun climbs higher north along the horizon on its annual march toward the spring equinox. With the warming weather, more people are getting out and enjoying all that the Gila National Forest has to offer. Recently, law enforcement officers have observed and received reports of a number of violations related to litter and motorized vehicles.

“Even if you are a frequent public land visitor, it is wise to check the rules and regulations that apply to the area of your planned visit before heading out,” said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. “These rules exist in order to protect natural resources as well as public health and safety.”

E-bikes have been observed and reported to be illegally accessing non-motorized trails on the Gila National Forest, especially in the Fort Bayard trail system. E-bikes are powered by an electric motor, and under national policy, are considered by the Forest Service to be motorized vehicles. There are no non-motorized trails on the forest that allow use by e-bikes, however, there are more than 3,000 miles of designated motorized routes that e-bicyclists are welcome to use. Some of the best opportunity for their use near Silver City this time of year is in the Burro Mountains southwest of Silver City.

All motorized vehicles are required to adhere to designated routes for motorized travel. There are many existing routes on the forest that may appear to be a road but are not designated for motorized travel. The Gila National Forest has published free Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/maps-pubs/?cid=FSEPRD585917 , or picked up at our offices. Better yet, you can download the free Avenza app to your phone or other mobile device to access free, geolocated versions of the maps so you can track your location as you go, even when offline.

The State of New Mexico has regulations governing the use of Off-Highway Vehicles on public lands. The state prohibits riders younger than 6 years of age from operating an OHV on public lands. Riders younger than 18 years must complete an OHV safety course and carry proof of completion; wear an approved, secured helmet and eye protection; never carry a passenger; be visually supervised by a responsible adult; and be appropriately sized for the vehicle ridden. Off-highway Vehicles are required to display an OHV registration before they may be used on public lands. Off-Highway Vehicle registration fees are used to fund OHV safety training and public outreach, as well as to fund grants for trail improvements and law enforcement.

Litter and trash dumping on the forest continues to be a problem, especially in areas closest to town. Often, target shooters are blamed for dumping and shooting at trash, leaving tires, washers, dryers, televisions, as well as empty shell casings. Target shooting is an appropriate recreational use of National Forest System lands when done safely and incompliance with regulations. Under 36CFR 261.9 (a), damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States is prohibited – do not shoot signs, trees, or other natural features. Under 36CFR 261.11, dumping trash or leaving litter on the forest is prohibited. Under 36CFR 261.10(d), it is unlawful to discharge a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun or other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:

in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area;

across or on a National Forest System Road or body of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage; or

into or within any cave. 

It bears noting that if you shoot at trash left by someone before you, that item is your target and you become responsible for its removal. We recommend using only paper or cardboard targets. Make sure you have a safe backstop; do not attach targets to trees or other vegetation; and remove all targets, shells, and other waste before you leave.

Adhering to these and other applicable regulations will help protect public land resources from damage and maintain public health and safety, while keeping you in good graces with law enforcement. Learn more about regulations related to e-bikes on national forests at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/e-bikes   . Information about the State of New Mexico OHV program and associated regulations is available at https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ohv /. A full list of target shooting regulations on the Gila National Forest can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/recreation/?cid=fseprd1100171 . For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 orMaribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .