PURPOSE AND DUTY STATEMENT

The purpose of the Divide Trail Patrol, referred to as the “Unit”, is to perform volunteer patrol duties from Greenwood Creek to the Cronin Ranch and Cronin Ranch to Skunk Hollow.  This area will be referred to as the “Park”.  Patrols will augment regular patrols by BLM Rangers and staff into remote areas of the land.

The members will provide horse patrol under the direction of the BLM.  They will report problems and observations to the Unit Record Keeper. Members will provide information and assistance to users of the area concerning trail conditions, directions, land use fees, rules and regulations and answer questions.

The Mounted Assistance Unit will assist in fire detection and reporting and the search for lost persons.  The patrol will also provide information to the Unit Record Keeper on illegal activities, hazardous trail conditions and vandalism.  The Unit will participate in trail improvement and maintenance projects.

GENERAL RULES

All members of the Mounted Assistance Unit must be at least 18 years of age, be familiar with the Park trails and have a “qualified horse” available to them.

Each member must be available for one designated patrol per month, twelve times per year.  Two retroactive make-up rides per year will be permitted.  Make-up for December designated ride must be made in January.  Weather conditions will dictate frequency and length of patrols.  In addition, members must participate in one authorized work party per year.

Each member is to schedule their monthly ride at the monthly meeting (or call it in during the day to the designated Divide Trail Patrol Record Keeper.  Completed ride sheets must be mailed to the record keeper prior to the next month’s meeting, or handed in at the meeting in order to be recorded.  E-mail is acceptable if the record keeper is on-line.  Failure to do so may require a make-up ride.

Members must observe all Park rules and regulations. Current Park rules do not require the ability to administer CPR or First Aid.  Although not required, members are encouraged to have this training. It is the responsibility of the members to know all Park and Unit rules.

UNIFORMS

The uniform will consist of a BLM volunteer vest.   The vest will have the Unit patch on one side and the BLM patch on the other side.   The uniform will be worn only when members are on patrol or on occasions designated by the Unit.  The uniform will not be worn off duty. Upon leaving, a former member may no longer wear Unit patches or logo and must return the vest.  Members will be charged a $10 refundable deposit for the vest.

DUES

Initial dues shall be $15.  There will be yearly dues of $10 for all members, active as well as inactive.  They will be used to cover postage and other expenses on which the Unit agrees.  Dues are payable April 1^st of each year. 

  Any member who does not pay the dues will be dropped from the Unit membership.  That member may reapply as a new member the following year if an opening exists, or when an opening occurs thereafter.

MEMBERSHIP

  Applicants are required to be members in good standing in the Divide Horsemen’s Association.  New members will be taken by earliest date of qualification.  Qualification for this purpose shall consist of completions of two rides with a member and passage of a qualification ride.  There will be a maximum number of 50 trail patrol members.

Members may patrol alone should it be necessary.  They may serve on committee.  Members may vote and serve as officers. Returning members (within five years) need not do the two training rides.  Any new horse must qualify.

REQUIREMENTS

Prospective members will be required to fill out an application.

The Divide Trail Patrol training will consist of a qualifying ride and two trail rides with two different members within a three month period.  The rides do not have to be designated rides but must be turned in on a ride sheet and confirmed by a member.  Every patrol activity will be noted on a ride sheet.

Horses will be observed during theses rides for general suitability for trail patrol.  Members will assist and advise in the areas regarding the Park rules, geography, and horsemanship.   You will be recognized as volunteers on official park business during the training rides.

From the time of official membership, a designated ride must be completed for each remaining month in accordance with the General Rules. The member must satisfactorily complete a qualification ride once the two training rides are completed.  This may be done during the training period or at the first available qualifying ride. The training committee will consist of a Record Keeper, Secretary and three DHA members.  The committee will make the final decision regarding acceptance of the applicant as a permanent member.

The applicant must receive instruction on Park policy. BLM will provide orientation and training.  This instruction will be given by BLM staff periodically at special meetings. Upon completion of the applicant’s training requirements and acceptance into the Unit, BLM will issue the volunteer vest and the Unit will provide the Unit patch.

QUALIFICATION RIDE

Horse and rider must be in sound physical condition.  Unsoundness will be grounds for immediate disqualification if considered of a permanent nature.

GENERAL: 

• Horse and rider will be evaluated as a team.  Only one rider/horse combination may qualify at one time.

RIDER MUST:

• Be able to travel at a brisk walk for 20 minutes on foot.

• Demonstrate knowledge of Park rules.

• Be in control of the horse at all times
• Prevent horse from crowding at all times.

HORSE MUST:

• Be four years old or older.

• Be a mare or gelding - NO stallions.

• Stand quietly while being mounted/dismounted from either side.

• Stand quietly while the mounted rider holds one other horse.

• Stand quietly while tied.

• Pony another horse and be ponied.

• Back readily.

• Negotiate difficult trail obstacles such as steep terrain, logs, water, bridges, runners, hikers, motorbikes, mountain bikes and other horses.

• Be under the rider’s control while riding with a group of horses (minimum 3).

• Lead well in difficult terrain and over obstacles.

• Be separated from a group of horses (minimum 3) and remain under control.

• A horse will automatically be disqualified if it shows chronic behavior problems such as running away, bucking, rearing, kicking or biting.

The committee is responsible for maintaining records of the members’ requirements and to notify members of non-compliance with requirements. The committee will schedule qualifying rides on a quarterly basis.  One rain date will be simultaneously scheduled as required. The training committee shall establish procedures for conduct of the qualifying rides consistent with this document.

MEETINGS

The Unit will have monthly meetings through the year except during December.  A minimum of four meetings per year must be attended by each member.

PATROL

Members may patrol when not regularly scheduled. For the safety of the members, all patrolling should be done in pairs whenever possible.  In emergency situations this will allow one member to stay at the scene, while the other can ride for help.

SCHEDULING

Ride schedules will be established at the monthly meetings.  If unable to make a designated patrol, members must notify the Unit Record Keeper.  The Unit Record Keeper will forward all information to the Secretary who will be the contact for the   Outdoor Recreation Planner at BLM.  The Secretary will forward all information regarding hazards and anything else that needs immediate attention.

Each member must schedule and complete one designated patrol ride per month, twelve times per year.  The member will be excused from completing a designated ride if there is bad weather or the Record Keeper grants an excuse for other reasons.  Two make-up rides will be allowed for designated rides that were scheduled and not completed and not excused.  The make-up rides must be scheduled in the same manner as a designated ride.  Make-ups for December rides may be done in January of the following year.

Members may sign up for as many designated rides as they want in any given month.  They are, however, expected to complete each ride for which they signed up.  Only one designated ride per month will count towards their required twelve rides per year, unless there are make-up rides, in which case only two make-ups are allowed for the year.

INACTIVE STATUS

If a member is unable to patrol for an extended period of time they must notify the Record Keeper.  The member will then be placed on inactive status and not be scheduled.  The duration of the inactive status may not exceed one year.

EQUIPMENT TO CARRY

While on patrol, each member should carry:

• First Aid Kit

• Pliers

• Maps of the Park

• Tablet and Pencil

• Folding Pocket Knife

• Compass

• Cellular Phone

LENGTH OF PATROL

Weather conditions, Park usage, etc., will dictate length of patrols.  Normally each patrol would be a minimum of two hours.  The time may be divided into multiple short patrols if desired.

AREA TO PATROL

BLM staff will designate the areas to patrol on advance patrol sign-ups.  If conditions are such that patrolling is unneeded or unsafe, BLM Staff will contact the record keeper and cancel.

On non-scheduled patrols, members may ride any trails within the Park.

VISITORS

Family and friends are welcome to ride along on patrol; however, only the patrol members are covered by insurance.  Unit members are responsible for the conduct of family and friends while visiting the Park.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RULES

If a member fails to patrol the minimum of 12 designated patrols (including make-ups), fails to notify the Record Keeper of scheduled changes, fails to accomplish the required work party, or fails to attend the required number of meetings the member may be removed from the active unit roster.

In order to remain on the active list the second year, the member must bring past dues current and pay $15 dues the second year.  The ability to pay extra dues for uncompleted requirements does not apply to work parties.

In lieu of paying extra dues for uncompleted requirements, a member who fails to do the minimum number of designated rides, or attend six meetings, may elect to do two work parties in the following year.

Failure to comply the second year will result in termination.  If the member wishes to return to the patrol at a later time, they may reapply as an applicant. Compliance with the Unit requirements is the responsibility of the individual members. Park and Unit rules and regulations must be observed at all times.  Deviations from the rules may result in the member being asked to leave the Unit.