State funding for snowmobile enforcement in Mackinac County was cut $2,440 this season and Sheriff Scott Strait is adjusting to the cuts by changing patrol schedules, collaborating with police in neighboring counties, and operating with the equipment on hand.

The budget for snowmobile enforcement in the county is about $22,000 this season. The state contributes 85% of the funding and requires the county to chip in 15%. Last winter, the state put in $20,200, but that figure has dropped to $17,760 this winter.

State funds are used for gas, oil, repairs, training, uniforms, wages, and benefits for officers patrolling snowmobile trails.

Trail patrol is important, Sheriff Strait said, because it controls the reckless riders, making the trails safe for families.

"If we get a reputation where people come to race their sleds and cause trouble, we're not going to get the families and as many people showing up," he said. "All we'll have are the hot dogs, and we'll have problems."

Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties have agreed to share patrols in some areas, which will be especially helpful for places like Trout Lake, bordering both Mackinac and Chippewa counties, a gathering spot for snowmobilers. Without the partnership, both counties would have an officer in the area. Now, the counties can share the patrol duties.

"We did this a little bit last year with Luce County and it seemed to work real well," said Sheriff Strait. "When they were short handed or we were short handed, we could work together and cover the Curtis area, Engadine area, Rexton, and up into Newberry and that way. It seems to share the resources. It seems to be better for us to have more of a regional approach rather than just Mackinac County. We help them and they help us."

Three part-time Mackinac County officers work in snowmobile enforcement. Their hours are spread out so there is little overlap in schedules, said Sheriff Strait, although someone always is available to answer snowmobile inquiry calls and complaints.

Patrols run from December 1 through April 1.

"The worst thing is not getting a citation - the worst thing is getting hurt, or worse," he said. "Sometimes we have to remind people to be safer, even if they are on vacation."

New this year will be several collaborative patrols with trail and road officers, targeting certain areas and focusing on drivers operating under the influence.

"Our job is to keep the trails safe," said Sheriff Strait, "so that people come up here and know that they have a safe place to enjoy snowmobiling. It's good for the local economy. It's good for tourism in this area, and it introduces them to the area so that maybe they'll come back in the summertime."

That view is shared by St. Ignace Police Chief Tim Matelski.

"The better their trip, the greater the chances they'll came back," he said of the snowmobilers. "We want to make it as nice for snowmobilers as we can. Hey, we're a tourist town."

He tells his officers to help the snowmobilers.

"Speeding and riding on the sidewalks," he said, "are the two main complaints we get."

When snowmobilers are stopped for riding on sidewalks, he said, it usually is because they are lost, and city officers try to guide them to trails.

"They don't want to drive on our sidewalks," said Chief Matelski, "they want to ride on the trails."

"Speed is different," he said. "Those people know."

Benefits of the county's trail location markers were recently realized when one marker helped save a snowmobile rider's life following an accident in late December, said Sheriff Strait. The markers act like address numbers on homes to help emergency responders locate an accident. About a year ago, more than 300 signs were placed throughout the county's 300 miles of trails.

Those who were traveling with the injured person drove to the nearest sign, called 9-1-1, and provided the sign number. The dispatch center, using the map, located the sign and contacted fire and ambulance crews, who were able to drive right to the injured snowmobiler.

"No searching. It worked exactly the way it was supposed to work," he said. "Eventually I knew it was going to pay off, and hopefully it will continue to pay off."

Before the signs were in place, there was no way to know where an injured snowmobiler was or to find them quickly. The project was funded by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Snowmobile riders can plan their trip by using maps of snowmobile trails. The maps are available at the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce office on State Street, some area hotels, and at the Shell Gas stations on US-2 and downtown St. Ignace.