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AkHunter45,

You raise a good question.  For me it's an arbitrary distinction on my part.  What I mean is that I'm inconsistent in this area; primarily because I don't really know the best answer.

For me, the main difference is length and degree of damage.  An airstrip may only be a couple hundred yards long, and located on a gravel bar.  Spring floods completely erase it every year.  An ATV trail often goes for miles across fragile tundra and will remain a scar on the land for many years.  Especially if people keep using it.  A related issue is that an airstrip provides access only from that location, whereas an ATV trail provides access to a swath of country as long as the trail is.  These kinds of trails open up WAY more country than airstrips in many cases (naturally there are exceptions).  Keep in mind that ATVs can also be flown into the bush (I have a photo of one strapped to the side of a Beaver on floats).  I know one lodge that has five Honda Foreman ATVs that were all flown in.  I mention this to counter the arguments of those who say airplanes are worse because they go where ATVs cannot.  I think the opposite is true.

Anyway, I know this is an arbitrary line and that there are holes in my reasoning.  But this is where I find myself on this question today.

-Mike

Message Thread:

• air taxis holding areas for guides... BRWNBR Jan 10 2006
  • Airstrip Issues too... Michael Strahan Jan 11 2006
    • public property twodux Jan 12 2006
      • building strips and such bushrat Jan 12 2006
        • On Remote Airstrips- Michael Strahan Jan 13 2006
          • Strips and trails AkHunter45 Jan 13 2006
            • ATV Trail Eyesores Michael Strahan Jan 14 2006
    • Sorry but......... sdog Jan 11 2006
      • Semantics... Michael Strahan Jan 12 2006
        • Thanks for the Kind Words- Michael Strahan Jan 13 2006
        • Mike, chignik Jan 12 2006
        • Doesn sdog Jan 12 2006
          • Math Lessons Michael Strahan Jan 12 2006
            • math and guides BRWNBR Jan 12 2006
    • You said it all Rutting Moose Jan 11 2006
  • exclusive areas Sollybug Jan 11 2006
  • world record ram Chisana Jan 10 2006
    • Ram Glacier Fullcurl Jan 10 2006
      • ram glacier BRWNBR Jan 10 2006
        • fair enough Chisana Jan 10 2006
          • rams BRWNBR Jan 10 2006
      • jobs Chisana Jan 10 2006
  • careful what you wish for bushrat Jan 10 2006
  • Business sense martentrapper Jan 10 2006
  • It Happens; Skin the Cat Differently Mark Jan 10 2006
    • bushrat BRWNBR Jan 10 2006
  • air charters AkHunter45 Jan 10 2006