Public land misuse or idiots in the forest

I frequent one great public forest,owned by Saugeen Conservation.
Actually -the forest is great,but some idiots(i hope this word does not count as a swear word)are abusing it,left -right and center.
Cutting 200 sq feet of branches off of pine trees for shooting lane(apparently the individual thinks for hunting he needs a field of view as for watching a baseball game)to driving ATV deep into the bush.Helter scelter.

Or-sight in their guns in the forest.
Which-in its own right may not be a big deal,but leaving all their garbage behind is disgusting.

The "hunter"(i think he/she calls himself as one)left his target stapled to a tree...??!!!
OK-maybe it will rot away one day.....Being semi plastic-maybe in 10 years?


Then he shots to shreds(literally)a 10" healthy spruce tree.


I walked over after noticing a nice tree laying on the ground-wondering what caused this healthy tree to break apart 3 feet from the ground.
Lo and behold-the cause was about 12 bullets, shot into the trunk of the tree-at about same level.

The red dots highlighted are pieces of the sabot ,embedded in the tree trunk.

I hear your frustration and have felt that way many a time myself. How about the day the guy was shooting groundhog in the valley and I was far on the top of the hill watching , ( Hullett). Next thing I knew the branch over my head is shot and falls near me. I guess groundhogs can fly. I hollered from the top of the hill, assuming he hadn't seen me , and he ran towards his car.

like usual a few bad apples will ruin it for all of us. And they will be the first to whine at the lack of spots to go out to.
I think "Idiots" is very fitting.

I see this stuff all the time, I do my best to try and clean up the mess before the anti crowd comes across it. It honestly boils my blood because I know it's only a matter of time before a hunting ban in the forests I frequent.

I find a lot of evidence that the people come from neighboring properties, as well as from the parking areas. I just wonder sometimes how they get away without anybody hearing them or seeing them. Even if you report this stuff it only puts a strike against lawful and respectful hunters in the eyes of the public.

It’s a sad situation, I wonder if the human race will ever grow up.

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

It’s a sad situation, I wonder if the human race will ever grow up.

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Growing up does not necessarily imply any measure of maturity, which I assume is really what you are getting at. All humans usually grow up, but a lot remain immature, and do stupid and foolish things, an ancient Greek philosopher blame it on the fact they were emotion driven and fail to use their brain to rationalize the consequences of their behaviour and how it might effect others in the world around them. He put the matter this way:

Old in years, old in character, the weakness lies not in time lived, but living and choosing pursuits according to the emotions. - Aristotle

You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

I see this more often than I care to - the guy gets his PAL, takes the hunter safety course and then leaves all common sense in the car as he walks into the bush (public or private). I like to think that they are ignorant and not just an idiot. Ignorant people do not know the difference between right and wrong behaviors idiots know the difference and just do not care.

New hunters need to me mentored by more experienced hunters to fully understand our culture. You cannot learn this in a classroom or in a book.

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Originally Posted by FishHog

like usual a few bad apples will ruin it for all of us. And they will be the first to whine at the lack of spots to go out to.
I think "Idiots" is very fitting.

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That's what happened at Nonquon a few years ago. A handful of people were target shooting there and keeping it low-key until word got out on Gunnutz. Then the place was overrun with idiots, a couple of houses were hit and target shooting was banned. The idiots were the first to whine.

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Originally Posted by Gun Nut

Growing up does not necessarily imply any measure of maturity, which I assume is really what you are getting at. All humans usually grow up, but a lot remain immature, and do stupid and foolish things, an ancient Greek philosopher blame it on the fact they were emotion driven and fail to use their brain to rationalize the consequences of their behaviour and how it might effect others in the world around them. He put the matter this way:

Old in years, old in character, the weakness lies not in time lived, but living and choosing pursuits according to the emotions. - Aristotle

You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Good post... yes I was implying maturity and responsibility,

It seems like every time new signage is installed, even signage indicating hunting is allowed, some wanker feels the need to pattern his shotgun on it for everyone to see. It's never ending.