Hey all, feel kind of intimidated posting here, almost wish there was a land use newbies section :laughing:

I'm a member of a number of forums, most of which are not nearly as educated or "hard core" as pbb is. I've noticed a number of posts with content in them that are exactly what anti-use advocates use against our sport. I don't want to flame these posters, they just don't know yet.

I searched around here for awhile but didn't find what I wanted. So I thought i'd create a quick post I could just copy and paste directly on another forum. These forums are mainly used by newbies, who's idea of hard core is a muddy field. I thought that something quick, easy to read, and non-confrontational would be great to have on file. Here's my attempt. What do you think? Any tips?

Just trying to figure out how to help :)

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So, you just got your lift and tires on. Now you want to go wheeling! Great, welcome to a wonderful world of exploration and challenge! So where do you go? Do you just find a road or “trail” somewhere out in the country? What if that trail happens to be on private land? You may go…and not get caught. You have a night of fun maybe post a few pictures on the net and no one is hurt. Right? Well…maybe not.

Sadly there are quite a few very well funded organizations out there who’s goal is to eliminate off highway vehicle travel. Do they monitor enthusiast sites? YOU BET! They have even been known to take the images that you post and use them in their own anti-access presentations. So that night of fun now may be another bullet in the gun that these extremists are trying to shoot us with. Take a look for yourself.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/orv/factsheet.asp
http://www.stopthrillcraft.org/
http://faultline.org/index.php/site/item/surprise_canyon This particular one quotes comments from a 4x4 board. They're watching!

The more responsible wheelers that are out there the fewer bullets they have, and the more we have! Don't give them ANY ammunition!

Additionally, being good stewards of our environment is in everyone's best interest. One of the greatest benefits to wheeling is seeing the country's secluded places. Leave it the way you found it so that all can enjoy!

So, where do you go to find out where to wheel? The internet is a BIG place, but fortunately there are many 4x4 clubs out there. Not only will these clubs welcome new members but they will also know where it’s legal and safe to wheel! One place to look is http://www.offroaders.com/info/4x4-links.htm. This site will help you narrow down to your local regions different clubs. Check some out, find one that you think might fit you and your personality. Once you find a club just introduce yourself and go on a trail ride. Even if you don’t wheel your rig you can meet the members and have a great time.

Now that you’ve started to find more places and people to wheel we want to know how to wheel responsibly. A quick search for 4x4 land use issues on google can overwhelm anyone. So lets try to find some quick rules of thumb to follow just to get started. We can find those in the principles of TreadLightly.

From www.treadlightly.org
Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas
Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.
Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely.
Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes.
Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization.

Following these tips will help you start out on the right foot down the trail! HAVE FUN!


USEFUL LINKS

Where to Find Clubs

http://www.offroaders.com/info/4x4-links.htm

National Organizations

Responsible OHV Use Resources

United Four Wheel Drive Association
http://www.ufwda.org/

National Off-raod Association
http://www.nora-usa.com/

http://www.treadlightly.org/

Treadlightly 4 wheel drive tips
http://www.treadlightly.org/page.php/responsible-four/Recreation-Tips.html

Blue Ribbon Coalition
http://www.sharetrails.org/

Pirate 4x4 Land Use Section
http://www.pirate4x4.com/landuse

Trail Specific/Regional Organizations

Southern 4WD Association
http://www.sfwda.org/

California Off-Road Vehicle Association
http://www.corva.org/

Friends of Eldorado
http://www.friendsofeldorado.com/

Friends of Johnson Valley
http://www.fojv.org/

Excellent stuff and you are right, it can be hard to reach new 4x4 enthusiasts and yet they may often be one of our biggest threats because of how their actions can be perceived.
If this forum can find a way to get the sort of message that you've crafted, into the brains of new and some older four wheelers, then we will have achieved what has appeared impossible.

You can shorten the link to pirate's land-use section.

Use: www.pirate4x4.com/landuse

Oh, and maybe add WHY people should recreate responsibly.

It's not that they may possibly hurt the enviroment....

But improper use also gives the other side ammunition to close trails.

Ok, i fixed it up alittle. Thanks for the input! :)

If anyone wants to post it themselves on other boards they may frequent please feel free to use it :D

If all OHV users would join a OHV organization that helped promote /support responciable use of the land and trails we would be able fight back everytime the anti OHV people attacked our trails. We need more support from all users.

I have one of the largest land use and access websites around. Help yourself. It's all there from how to get involved, who to join, how to write a letter, NEPA, how to start a club, and about anything else you can think of.

http://www.delalbright.com

Let me know if I can answer any questions.
Del

I have one of the largest land use and access websites around. Help yourself. It's all there from how to get involved, who to join, how to write a letter, NEPA, how to start a club, and about anything else you can think of.

http://www.delalbright.com

Let me know if I can answer any questions.
Del

Yep, Del's the man, especially since the old ORC is dead and I retired. :flipoff2:

Just type this into Google (or Yahoo):
land use and access

:smokin::grinpimp: