One of the fastest growing segments of the recreational vehicle industry are the "toy haulers" many of which carry along ATVs into public lands.

It has been reported that while many ATVers are responsible, the few lawless renegades are tearing up everyone's public lands. Here are two recent articles.

Al Thompkins reports in Poynteronline (Poynter Leadership Academy in St. Petersburg, Fl.)on the damage caused when "all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders ride off trails wherever they wish. Illegal trails are now showing up everywhere. Motorized vehicle abuse has been called one of the biggest problems facing public lands."

Rangers say that thousands of miles of trails now crisscross federal forestland. Many are disused logging trails, but in some cases ATV drivers armed with axes, machetes and other tools carve out their own paths.

The U.S. Forest Service has tried to sate the demand by setting aside vast tracts of land for ATV use, but they're often seeing those areas turned into a hub for more illegal trails.

Read more in: "Renegade ATVs Threaten Forests."

Greg Bluestine writes in USA Today: "ATV drivers invade, damage roadless forests"

Image: A damaged section of a trail in Mountaintown, Ga. Photo by John Bazemore, AP Photo