OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Another sign of winter has arrived.
The snowmobile trails have opened in the northern part of Oconto County.
That despite there not being much new snow on the ground.
But Keith Van De Leygraff of Kaukauna notes he's impressed with the trails' grade.
"So far, I was surprised at how well this grade actually is. We got a cottage on Chain Lake up here. And we jumped on the grade and made it this far, and so far, they've been really good."
Since it wasn't the weather, Paul Bunyan Riders Snowmobile Club President Dave Thomson explains what did prompt the decision.
"Our neighboring counties, Forest and Marinette counties, have their trails open. People were wandering into our county. Some of them didn't even know they were into Oconto County. And it's kind of hard to police it. They can get a citation for over $260. And the county decided that we would just open the northern part."
And it's not just the riders who are happy.
The decision is also a hit with business managers, like Cheri Prasser of Lotter's Lakewood Shell.
"Oh. It's a very big deal. Snowmobilers are big business up here. So we're very excited to have them."
Club leaders remind people it is early in the season, and riders need to be careful on the trails.
They say they need at least five inches of fresh wet snow, so the groomers can get out and shape the trails into better condition.