AMA
Condemns
Apparent Trail
Sabotage
T
he AMA says it strongly
condemns a recent act
of apparent trail sabotage at
Montana's Pipestone Recreation
Area, where a child encountered
barbed wire strung across a pub
-
lic access trail during Memorial
Day weekend.
The AMA is calling
for the swift identification, ap
-
prehension and prosecution of
those
responsible.
According to the AMA, the
incident comes amid a trou
-
bling pattern of deliberate trail
sabotage targeting public land
users
across the country. Over
the years, the AMA has docu
-
mented multiple cases involving
hazardous traps
placed on trails
used by motorcyclists and other
recreationists.
"At the AMA, we believe riders
and outdoor enthusiasts should
be able to enjoy public lands
without fear of intimidation,
retaliation or physical harm,"
said AMA Director of Govern
-
ment Relations Nick Haris. "Trail
sabotage is a potentially
deadly
crime that endangers everyone
who uses these trails, includ-
ing children and families. Such
hazards are indiscriminate and
unacceptable,
threatening all
trail users. The AMA strongly
condemns this heinous act and
supports every effort to bring
those responsible to justice."
The AMA continues to urge
all trail users to remain alert
and aware of their surroundings
while recreating on public lands.
Anyone who encounters a suspi
-
cious situation or dangerous ob-
stacle should immediately notify
local law
enforcement or land
management officials, document
the scene if possible, and, if it
can be done safely, clearly mark
or remove the hazard to help
prevent additional injuries.
The Bureau of Land Manage
-
ment (BLM) has opened an
investigation into
this instance
of trail sabotage near Butte,
Montana, and the investigation
remains ongoing. Trail enthusi
-
asts can report instances of trail
sabotage directly to
the BLM
through their dedicated email
box at blm_montana_lawen-
forcement@blm.gov.
The AMA previously
respond-
ed to a similar incident that
occurred
in Utah in October 2025
and continues to monitor reports
of comparable criminal activ-
ity nationwide. Earlier this year,
the AMA also worked closely
with
Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
and several other members of
Congress to craft a letter to U.S.
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz
regarding how the Forest Ser
-
vice investigates cases of trail
sabotage and
collects data on
the criminal act.
CN
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 22 JUNE 2, 2026 P29
The AMA condemns a
recent act of apparent
trail sabotage at
Montana's Pipestone
Recreation Area and
other incidents.
