Citizens Snowshoe Through Off-Limits Zone Near Mine, Receive No Tickets

More than 50 people say they went snowshoeing in the new off-limits mining zone in the Penokee Hills Saturday, but no one was arrested. The group says they plan to go out again next weekend.

The group of activists snowshoed up Tyler Forks River to a 19th-century mine shaft. Hiker John Schneider says this was within the zone on the DNR off-limits map, but he says they didn’t get any trespassing tickets.

Both Ashland and Iron County sheriffs say they’ll enforce the off-limits zone, but they won’t spend their resources patrolling it. Schneider’s optimistic that tickets are in the offing, though. He says they’ve already talked to Iron County Sheriff Tony Furyk about it, and that when it happens he’s not worried about any confrontation.

“Oh no, not with Tony. He’s a great guy and we always tell him if we’re going to do something, he knows and he knows we’re peaceful,” Schneider said. “We’re great friends with him. We count on him in case anything does happen from the other side: who knows?”

Schneider says the point is to challenge the new law in court. He says the law is only for the mining company and it ignores the rights of citizens. He does say some hikers may not be satisfied with just a ticket.

“You know, there are some of us who might just push it that far to where they would have to be handcuffed and you would have to take them in. That is possible,” Schneider said. “But it would be a peaceful disobedience, I am sure, and I’m sure he’d be gentle with us too.”

For his part, Furyk says he’ll enforce the off-limits zone but he only got one call over the weekend and that person left before he could respond. He says it’d help if they’d give him a heads up of where they’ll be and when.