8576-R1_MSA_December2023_Newsletter

Snowmobiles and Sled DogTeams on SharedTrails By: Bob Ludwig – Moosehead Riders SC

ness for each team. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars are awarded to the teams with the short est race times. The dogs are athletes not pets. While they may take a rest along the trail, it is inappropriate for snowmobilers to call the dogs, pet or feed them or scare them with exces sive speed or sound. Many dog booties will be lost along the route. This is anticipated and the musher will have replacements avail able on-board. You need not attempt to return them to the teams. Slower dog teams must yield to overtaking faster teams during most of the race course. Emergencies can occur where a dog is injured or too tired to continue. They will be disqualified if they do not bring that dog back on their sled. Only pro vide aid if requested by the musher. Occasionally the musher could be separated from a run-a-way team. This is an emergency where you may be able to aid. There will be race officials wearing reflective vests or arm bands at road crossings, intersections and other strategic locations who are in touch with race headquarters if you have information or questions relating to the race. The musher will be wearing a race bib. The bib color and number identifies them when necessary. Hopefully some or all of this infor mation will help you enjoy and have a safer ride on shared use trails espe cially if a sled dog race is underway. Follow us on our Facebook “Mooseh ead Riders Snowmobile Club” for the latest trail news. Thanks for your support.

T here are many 2024 “Sled Dog Races” in Maine such as the Green ville race on February 10th and the Fort Kent race on March 2nd. Looking through the various club postings there is little information available to snowmobile operators in Maine relating to sharing a trail with a sled dog team. Many of our trails are either the training location used by mushers or the actual race route on certain days. So as machine operators, what are a few things we should know relating to trail etiquette. Dog teams are trained to stay right or move right when approached from the opposite direction. So, if you must stop your machine find a spot off the trail for this reason. When passing them, slow down and be prepared for the inexperienced dog that may step out of line. Dog teams may be traveling the trail in either direction going and returning from the race midpoint. If approaching a dog team from behind, wait for the musher to wave you by. However, when approach ing a blind intersection be ready for anything as the team may be unpre pared for your arrival or they may be tempted to take the shortest distance around a turn. Snowmobilers pacing a race team can create a dangerous situation and may even disqualify them from the race. Likewise, loud noises and yell ing even to applause the team’s prog ress can cause an unnecessary dis traction especially at road crossings with traffic. Sled dog race routes are signed with a red marker on the left or right side of the trail indicating a turn for them in that direction is needed. One marker is at the turn and another 100’ before

the turn as the lead dog arrives at the turn well before the musher. Green markers on the right side of the trail tell the musher they going in the cor rect direction. Teams are typically 10 dogs har nessed as duals pulling a sled with a musher, however, this can vary. Typically, there are 30 entries per race event starting early in the morn ing with the least experienced teams often finishing after dark. Once dark, the lead dog will have a red collar light and the musher a bright headlamp. The lead dog is chosen as the smart est as it takes the commands and keeps the remainder of the team in line. You will never hear a “mush” command. “Gee” is the instruction for the team to turn right and “Haw” for turning left. Verbal commands are the only control the musher has over the dog team. A sled dog race is serious busi

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