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Okay, everyone this is serious. You know how we/atvers always say, man why are they closing that trail, or that riding area, if we only could get together as one large group to counter these closures or open new areas. Well there is a group we can now join its called the Arkansas OHV Conservation Association (AOCA).

Nicky and I have been riding Arkansas and the Wolf Pen Gap Area since 2002, and no doubt it is one of the premier trail riding areas in the South. Hands down it is one of our favorite places to ride. Unfortunately, there are some major changes on the way beginning September 2008.

Many of the trails outside of the Wolf Pen Gap Main Trail System will be closed starting September 2008.  Caney Creek Wilderness Areas gone, 512 connecting WPG to Alberts Pike gone, Highline gone, Blue Hole gone, Shin Bone gone, Wilderness Trail gone, plus much more.

512 to Alberts Pike, and then 99 to Blue Hole

Caney Creek Wilderness Area

Highline

Blue Hole

Shin Bone

Wilderness Trail

All of these wonderful areas will be gone starting September 2008. Almost every single Forestry Road leading to many of these areas will be closed. You will be reduced to riding county roads/dirt roads (sort of like Broken Bow, Oklahoma), and the 31 mile loop within Wolf Pen Gap's Main Trail System.

Logging Road

Wolf Pen Gap Legal Main Trail System

In addition certain riding sections within the Wolf Pen Gap Main Trail system are slowly being ruined in my opinion. Water crossings such as this one, also known as the Swimming Hole are gone. These water crossings are being replaced with huge concrete bridges as I write this ( I ll have pictures shortly since I am going up there in  a few weeks). Why? You ask. They need to get ready to support commercial logging trucks. Yes, sections of the Forest will be logged commercially.

Swimming Hole

Great isn't it. Your Federal Government at work, and large sections of your National Forest being shut off to you. Area people have been riding since the 70's, gone.

I have spot lighted the Wolf Pen Gap Area, because this is what could potentially happen throughout Arkansas. All is not lost, at least we hope not. There is an organization right now fighting these changes as we speak, this organization is known as the Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Association (AOCA). Let me tell everyone this is our best chance to potentially reverse these changes, open existing trails, and preserve existing trails. Lets face it sitting around a campfire, or complaining on the forums does no good. Organizations with large memberships can make a huge difference when it comes to these issues, and AOCA is the best chance we have. I don't care if you are from Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, or another State I encourage you to join AOCA and support them. They are organizing and gathering resources as you read this, to fight for you and me to ride these trails in Arkansas. Like I said if you enjoy riding in Arkansas become a member of AOCA to preserve these riding areas. I am personally a supporting member of AOCA, and I told them Jacobs Atv Magazine, and Jacobs Atv Adventures would lend 100% support to them. I receive about 2,000 hits a day on my Jacobs Atv Aventure website, I hope many of you join and support AOCA. This organization need members to fight this battle, numbers talk, not people complaining or going up there to ride without being a member. Is it right for someone else to fight this battle, while you are riding and having a good time up there, and you are not a supporting member?  Think about this the next time you are riding in Arkansas. I was going to simply do a write up on AOCA and explain what they are about, but I felt it would better serve this cause to speak from the heart. I generally do not push or make people join something that isn't worth it. To me this is a no brainer, AOCA is the best chance we have to save existing trails or open existing trails in Arkansas. Join Now!!!

To become a member its $10 per individual, $25 per club/organization, $25 per Business, and $10 per family Please note these fees are for 2008, and membership is good for 1 Year Click on the below link to find more about AOCA, and how to become a supporing member AOCA

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