I am sure all my fellow sand lovers are in compliance but if you know someone that isn't you should probably read this:



<H2 class=sf_NewsTitle>Game and Fish to step up efforts to enforce OHV Decal compliance </H2>



[b]Arizona Game and Fish Department





NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release, Dec. 30, 2009






Citing statistics showing that less than one-quarter of off-highway vehicles in Arizona have the required OHV Decal, Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Larry Voyles announced that the agency's officers would be stepping up compliance enforcement efforts in the field.

"Our officers will be issuing citations to off-highway vehicle users who don't have the required decal on their OHV," said Voyles. "The program has been in effect and public education efforts have been ongoing for over a year now. The compliance rate is very disappointing, given the benefits the program would provide to recreationists."

Voyles likened the "user play, user pay" program to wildlife conservation, where hunters and anglers pay for wildlife conservation through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses. "Rates for hunting license compliance exceed 95 percent," said Voyles, "Hunters and anglers have demonstrated their commitment to wildlife conservation for decades."

As for OHV Decal compliance, Voyles stressed, "Arizona Game and Fish officers have unequivocally demonstrated their ability to achieve compliance through aggressive law enforcement. All OHV users should expect more special OHV law enforcement operations throughout the state beginning in January and going on through this spring until compliance numbers show a dramatic increase."

"The Department has worked with a number of organized OHV groups who all supported this legislation. They have a right to expect the same level of compliance and commitment from all OHV users," said Voyles.

The OHV Decal program took effect Jan. 1, 2009 and requires the annual purchase of a decal for any off-highway vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use over unimproved terrain and weighing 1,800 pounds or less. This includes most ATVs, side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes and some sand rails.

The benefits of the OHV Decal program include information and education efforts, facility development and maintenance, maps, signage and reduced wildlife habitat impacts.

Other projects that are being funded through the OHV Decal program include the new OHV Laws and Places to Ride booklet that is an ongoing joint venture between Arizona State Parks and the Game and Fish Department. A continued grant program to help clean up and restore riding areas and new informational outreach items like riding area maps will be created in the future.

The OHV Decal costs $25 and is good for one year from the date of purchase. The Motor Vehicle Department will not be sending renewal notices, so it is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is in compliance. Officers will be citing vehicle owners who fail to display the OHV Decals soon, so avoid a costly citation as these field renewal notices are sure to cost considerably more than $25. The OHV Decal can be obtained at any MVD office, MVD third-party service provider, or online at www.servicearizona.com.

For more information about the OHV Decal program or OHV use in Arizona, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.






The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD's programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

[/i][/b]

Funny thing is I don't need one anywhere I ride in this state and only need one for when I ride in Ca.

I like the part on how MVD will not send renewal notices.......OK will be a big boy and check all my OHV's since I have so much spare time on my hands.

Got mine!!

My sister got nailed on this a month ago. we were out riding by gold canyon in a "OHV" area off of 60, They had an airplane circling the area, calling down to game and fish guys on quads and telling them where the groups of riders were, and they would chase you down and ticket you. zero tolerance, and you actually HAVE to to go to court on it. We all had stickers except her, because she knew nothing about it. A friggin AIRPLANE circling above ALL day...

edited to add: She had to speak with the DA and he dismissed because she had gotten her sticker before couirt, the others had to actually set a pretrail date, speak with the DA, and go to court AGAIN.. what a pain. get your stickers.

What's interesting about that article is that the picture shows the sticker being installed incorrectly.

The instructions that come with the sticker are confusing so I can see how they'd make the mistake. But it's the kind of little thing that some of the officers in OHV areas are looking for as an excuse at this point to justify making contacts. And the kind of officers looking for that kind of thing are the very ones you DON'T want to have any contact with if you can help it even if you are following the rules.