When it comes to recreational use of the Missouri River, boaters have two choices: share it or stay home.

And for many people, the blistering heat of an August afternoon makes that choice easy.

Donnie Galt of Bismarck summed it up when asked whether he thought there was too much traffic on the river: it's not like the river can be made wider, so get along or get out.

Galt, out for a Sunday afternoon of sun and riding his Skidoo with friends and his son, said that, despite the heavy weekend boat traffic on the river, he doesn't have problem with other boaters.

"I think people have a lot of respect for each other," he said, and added there always would be "a few bad apples."

He said the Game and Fish wardens patrolling the river do a lot to keep the majority of boaters from getting out of hand, ensuring that everyone can cruise comfortably.

But while many people are open to sharing the river, there are some with complaints, mostly directed at Jet Skis buzzing up and down the river.

With their speed and mobility, Jet Skis can be spotted cutting through the waves and weaving through pontoon traffic with equal ease. It's this agility that makes them attractive to adventure seekers, and a nuisance in some people's eyes.

Russ Ireland of Bismarck takes his 1977 motor boat up and down the river regularly. He said he thinks the Jet Skiers need to pay more attention to what they're doing and to other boaters.

"They come cruising in close to shore and doing circles close to the boat ramps," he said. "It's crazy; it's unreal."

Rafael Rosario, 31, of Bismarck said the traffic on the river can make boating hectic, but it's part of being on the river. He also said the speed of Jet Skis makes them potential problems.

"There's a lot of Jet Skis that come cruising around too fast," he said.

Teresa Kopp of Bismarck has been using the Missouri River long enough to have seen the traffic increase dramatically, but said she doesn't have problems with other boaters; at least on the open water.

She said while the number of boats has steadily increased, her biggest problem is with people who don't know boat landing etiquette, people who pull their boats up then get their trailers, stalling everyone else in the line.

Pam Wilhelm also of Bismarck, who was enjoying the hot Sunday afternoon with Kopp, said that everyone has equal claim to the river.

"Who is to say we have the right to (use the river) and the next guy doesn't?" she said.