Motorman355

OK. I'm about to open a can of worms. What was TPWD thinking when it came up with the OHV program?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/ohv/index.phtml

Texas OHV Program Mission Statement:
The Texas Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program was created to provide family-oriented OHV trail riding opportunities which are safer and will serve as a positive force for conservation of the natural and cultural resources of Texas.

"... positive force for conservation of the natural and cultural resources.."?

How is releasing motorbikes, dune buggies, ATVs, monster trucks on public land going conserve natural resources? It is only going to make it worse by encouraging this destructive hobby. Wasn't it just a few short years ago when the state was going to ban such vehicles from river beds? I've personally seen the destruction of banks on the North Bosque River due to this sport. So now Joe Six-Pack Public is now going to travel to just 16 sites across Texas to get his thrill? I don't think so. We are not talking about barren wasteland these sites are set up on, but national forests, grasslands and even rivers! I am by far not a tree hugger. I like fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, kayaking and try to live by LNT rules. But does this program bother anyone else?

Turn Key

Yep.

Happy Camping (I hope)!

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melackey

I wish there was a distinction for those of us with ATV who just want to ride some trails versus the monster trucks, etc that everyone gets stirred up about. It also really chaps me when I see an ATV with oversized tires and snorkel kits made for making deep mud holes even deeper.

I would love to ride my completely stock atv responsibly at a slow to moderate speed on an abandoned railroad track or other similar type surface and see a little countryside, much the same as a mountain biker enjoys.

Unfortunately, my preferred riding style doesn't seem to be accepted by anyone else.

DamonH

Personally I think there really is no good solution. A few fools will always ruin things for the rest of the people. A lot of off roaders I know are very concious of their impact on the land. Some are not, just like anything (hikers/campers included). I dissagree that people won't show up at these OHV parks, I know for a fact a lot of people will go WAY out of there way to do something legally if they can (myself included). A lot of times it's only when they don't have an option that you see people tearing up public land. At least this way people have a choice to do what they love and be legal doing it.

MissionCamper

Unfortunately, what I tend to see are the bonehead daredevils on their muffler-less, revved-up, ATV's (often times more interested in out-daring each other than taking in scenery). Mountain bikers do not offend with this type of noise pollution.