Deputies dedicated to backcountry patrols

For some the backcountry brings up images of encounters with wild animals or romantic notions of miles of unspoiled scenery, but for others the reality is sometimes a neighboring tent of wild people or a 10-mile hike on a logging road after an ATV breakdown.

For years families and responsible backcountry enthusiasts have largely been on their own when it came to the errant forest partier or when they had an equipment breakdown or medical emergency.

Now they’ll have the help of a new team of Kootenai County backcountry deputies.

“The need has always been there to have people in the backcountry,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Street. “There’s a lot going on back there.”

The two deputies assigned to the unit will use ATVs, dirt bikes, pickups and a loaned UTV to patrol the dirt roads and trails of Kootenai County’s 250,000 acres of public lands.

The Sheriff’s Department began the backcountry patrols last month, but with heavy winter snow still an issue the deputies spent more time on snowmobiles than the new equipment. Deputies for years have used snowmobiles and boats to patrol some recreational areas, but have been unable to get back into some campgrounds and dirt-biking areas.

Since the Sheriff’s Department has never routinely patrolled the areas during the summer, Street said it’s difficult to know what to expect.

Deputy Will Klinkefus, one of the two deputies assigned to the new job, said he expects to encounter underage drinking parties, off-road vehicle violations, vandalism and cabin burglaries.

In the past deputies have responded to calls for help, but now they will actively watch rural hot spots.

“This type of patrolling is going to be more proactive than reactive,” Klinkefus said.

Some of the county’s most notorious murders have also occurred in remote areas.

“Pretty significant events have taken place on public lands,” Street said, noting the 2000 murder of 14-year-old Carissa Benway as one example.

The new patrols are being welcomed by backcountry enthusiasts.

“We’re in agreement with them being out there. It gives some assurance to people that it’s a safe place to ride,” said Frank Axtell, president of the North Idaho ATV Association.

The association has more than 500 members. All told 10,000 ATVs are registered in Kootenai County.

“We’re glad to have the help,” Axtell said, adding that the deputies will be instrumental in cracking down on the minority of riders who cause problems, and to help when riders are injured or need other assistance.

ATV and snowmobile clubs were part of the team that helped choose the two deputies.

The sheriff’s deputies will carry emergency equipment with them, including first-aid kits, water and food and gasoline for stranded ATV riders and dirt bikers.

So far response to patrols has been positive, Klinkefus said.

“They were surprised to see us, but they were happy,” he said of people he’s seen recreating in the backcountry. “If you’re not part of the problem, it’s a welcome sight.”