TEMECULA – Sheriff's deputies ticketed 29 motorists and warned 31 others for illegally driving off-road vehicles around Riverside County over the weekend, including Temecula's wine country, a sheriff's spokesman said Monday.

Three motorists were ticketed in the wine country Saturday, and deputies also spoke to residents in the area concerning issues they have with illegal off-roading.

Deputies also helped Bureau of Land Management Rangers with hunter-safety checks, as Saturday was the first day of deer hunting season.

On Sunday, deputies went to the “Iron Door” area of unincorporated Indio and worked with a task force from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, sheriff's Deputy Mike Martinez said.

Deputies contacted a number of off-road enthusiasts, dispensing education materials, 31 warnings and 26 tickets, Martinez said.