We all know that saying about "men and boys and the price of their toys."

Well, men, women and children are fans of the large ATVs, the ones that are designed to carry more than one passenger. But, the machines are wider and often don't fit on existing ATV trails.The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry is offering an attractive solution to that problem.Late in August, DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced it's initiating a pilot program increasing the size of registered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) permitted on two state forest trail systems."Both the Whiskey Springs and Bloody Skillet ATV trail systems in Sproul State Forest will allow larger vehicles to ride on designated ATV trails," Dunn said. "The Susquehannock ATV trail system will follow suit for the opening of the 2018 riding season."These three trail systems have the correct features to accommodate the larger ATVs, which is why they were selected for the pilot program. These larger machines have been steadily gaining popularity with the riding community."The pilot program on Sproul and Susquehannock ATV trail systems will permit operation of ATVs measuring up to 64 inches in width and weighing up to 1,800 lbs. The trail systems are Clinton County's Whiskey Springs Trail, which re-opened in May 2016, which is 50 miles long, and Centre County's Bloody Skillet Trail, which is 38 miles long.Whether your ATV is small or large, it must be titled, registered (with Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) and insured. Also, you've got to carry that paperwork - registration papers and proof of insurance - with you. Riders who are from 8-to-16 years old must have passed a safety course, and carry the paperwork that proves that accomplishment.Terry Brady, press secretary for DCNR, said that initiative for the pilot program was driven (no pun intended) by riders' requests and also industry trends, notably the growing popularity of the bigger machines."It was a combination of requests and the realization that riders are going to larger machines that enable them to do more - carry gear; have a youngster sitting beside them," Brady said. "Also, remember: there's an awful lot of legal riding that goes on on private property.""Some of these riders are turning to larger ATV's and the selection of the two trail systems gives them an option to also ride on state forestland when properly registered," he added. "These two trail systems were selected because they can sustain and facilitate the larger ATVs."Camping and lodging facilities are plentiful in the Renovo area. The two trail systems are relatively close to each other; it's possible to ride both in a weekend. When you're planning a trip, your first step is to get a map of the trails, said DCNR Forester Robert Fitterling, who works for the Renovo district office (570-923-6011). He said that the easiest access points for the Whiskey Springs Trail are the Huling Branch or Area 36 Trailheads; the best access point for Bloody Skillet is the Northern Trailhead.Prior to the pilot program, nine of the bureau's 11 ATV trails were open to machines in the Class II category, that is, not exceeding 58 inches in width and 1,200 lbs (trails in the Michaux and Tiadaghton State Forests are currently not open to Class II machines and restricted to Class I ATVs - not exceeding 50 inches in width and no heavier than 1,200 lbs)."To accommodate the growing number of ATV riders, 11 designated trails have been established in seven state forest districts - Bald Eagle, Buchanan, Delaware, Michaux, Sproul, Susquehannock and Tiadaghton - providing nearly 270 miles of trails for riders to enjoy." Dunn said. "In addition to state forest trails systems, ATV riding enthusiasts can choose from a variety of ATV parks across the state, as well as trails in the Allegheny National Forest."Some ATV trails reopen for winter use in conjunction with the snowmobile season from the day following the last day of the regular or extended deer hunting season through April 1 - conditions permitting. Riders are urged to check in advance with forest districts to be sure winter-use is permitted.The bureau will monitor the trail systems in Sproul and Susquehannock state forests to determine if use of the larger machines is sustainable in the long term.