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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sam Menard

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

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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

---

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 410001661

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.

---

I completely agree with you, however the irony of the situation is when new hunters come out and ask for help/mentorship -- none seem to jump up and say come with me, let me mentor you[emoji12]

Not to give hunters a complete pass but from what I've seen the worst offenders are sport shooters not hunters. Piles of 7.62x39 steel casings, shot up propane bottles, TVs and large kitchen appliances, broken clay target shards and shotgun hulls strewn everywhere are more typical of sports shooters. A hunter might fire a box of rounds to sight in his rifle or pattern his shotgun. Sports shooters meanwhile burn through hundreds in a single session.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badenoch

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.

---

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has posted the east and west forest a "no shooting except for lawful hunting" zone which is rigidly enforced. Police have no problem charging target shooters and seizing firearms from violators.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badenoch

Not to give hunters a complete pass but from what I've seen the worst offenders are sport shooters not hunters. Piles of 7.62x39 steel casings, shot up propane bottles, TVs and large kitchen appliances, broken clay target shards and shotgun hulls strewn everywhere are more typical of sports shooters. A hunter might fire a box of rounds to sight in his rifle or pattern his shotgun. Sports shooters meanwhile burn through hundreds in a single session.

---

Omg I have all that at my place. Lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trimmer21

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has posted the east and west forest a "no shooting except for lawful hunting" zone which is rigidly enforced. Police have no problem charging target shooters and seizing firearms from violators.

---

Once upon a time those signs were posted in a few places I hunt. They've since been shot to oblivion or removed completely with no sign of enforcement for the most part. It seems like they deterred the people who caused the problems originally, but now newcomers are back to the same old. I guess until there's complaints. There was a recent incident near zephyr where some people were blasting away at some old boats and trees, they were reported and a news article written.

https://www.thestar.com/local-uxbrid...-uxbridge.html

To be honest instead of downer posts let’s see some post we could be proud of showing the anti’s god know we all have them near us.

Not having a place to sight in, pattern or practice is a worsening problem for hunters particularly in Southern Ontario. Most gun clubs are full with waiting lists and are far less accommodating to walk-in shooters for liability and safety reasons.

At our club before hunting season we'd see non-members who would try and shoot skeet with a 3-1/2" magnum despite signs warning that ammunition larger than #7-1/2 shot in 2-3/4" shells was not permitted or argue about wearing eye protection.

Gone too are our annual pre-season rifle range sessions where members of the public could sight in their rifles for a modest fee. I RO'd some of those sessions and while the majority of people were great there was always one or two jerks who ignored or wanted to debate safety rules that are standard at pretty much every rifle range in Ontario.

As always it is the tiny minority of jerks whose behavior hurts the responsible majority.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badenoch

Not having a place to sight in, pattern or practice is a worsening problem for hunters particularly in Southern Ontario. Most gun clubs are full with waiting lists and are far less accommodating to walk-in shooters for liability and safety reasons.

At our club before hunting season we'd see non-members who would try and shoot skeet with a 3-1/2" magnum despite signs warning that ammunition larger than #7-1/2 shot in 2-3/4" shells was not permitted or argue about wearing eye protection.

Gone too are our annual pre-season rifle range sessions where members of the public could sight in their rifles for a modest fee. I RO'd some of those sessions and while the majority of people were great there was always one or two jerks who ignored or wanted to debate safety rules that are standard at pretty much every rifle range in Ontario.

As always it is the tiny minority of jerks whose behavior hurts the responsible majority.

---

I think you are correct. I'll also add that through speaking with a lot of hunters and shooters, many who started later in life without any real guidance (like myself), they just don't know how to find information or they don't care to.

A lot of guys base their knowledge of regulation and safety from hearsay. It's truly amazing what some consider "law".

Actually I have seen many offers by members on here for newbies to come out. But thing have been different for obvious reasons this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by newbiehunter

I completely agree with you, however the irony of the situation is when new hunters come out and ask for help/mentorship -- none seem to jump up and say come with me, let me mentor you[emoji12]

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dean.f

Once upon a time those signs were posted in a few places I hunt. They've since been shot to oblivion or removed completely with no sign of enforcement for the most part. It seems like they deterred the people who caused the problems originally, but now newcomers are back to the same old. I guess until there's complaints. There was a recent incident near zephyr where some people were blasting away at some old boats and trees, they were reported and a news article written.

https://www.thestar.com/local-uxbrid...-uxbridge.html

---

Because there's people in all sections of the Ganaraska Forest,including loggers,at any given time from hikers to hunters to dirt bikers,any shooting that sounds like someone has targets set up gets reported immediately. Police can be there in minutes,especially,the ATV crew. It really is a good thing because nonsense within the forest has dropped off to a trickle,especially,with poaching. OMNRF officers and Police are there. Me and the Mrs. love going on night rides with our ATV's. It's not uncommon to run into Police patrols during late evening and into the night.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trimmer21

Because there's people in all sections of the Ganaraska Forest,including loggers,at any given time from hikers to hunters to dirt bikers,any shooting that sounds like someone has targets set up gets reported immediately. Police can be there in minutes,especially,the ATV crew. It really is a good thing because nonsense within the forest has dropped off to a trickle,especially,with poaching. OMNRF officers and Police are there. Me and the Mrs. love going on night rides with our ATV's. It's not uncommon to run into Police patrols during late evening and into the night.

---

I feel like the extra funds provided by motorized use as well as hunters may play a role in how much attention the forest receives. I haven't been there in a few years but I know they take a proactive approach for sure. I also know that the user groups, especially motorized, make it their mission to educate people about the behaviors that will ruin the privileges they enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dean.f

Once upon a time those signs were posted in a few places I hunt. They've since been shot to oblivion or removed completely with no sign of enforcement for the most part. It seems like they deterred the people who caused the problems originally, but now newcomers are back to the same old. I guess until there's complaints. There was a recent incident near zephyr where some people were blasting away at some old boats and trees, they were reported and a news article written.

https://www.thestar.com/local-uxbrid...-uxbridge.html

---

I find that interesting.......they told the police "they heard shots being fired in their direction". I find it difficult to believe that average Joe public can determine the direction of a gunshot in a woodlot - did he also narrow down the caliber of the gun as well?

In all seriousness our gun club offered a free range day for hunters to sight in their guns in the fall (before the deer hunt) and it was advertised in the local paper. We had extra RO's on duty and members there to help some guys zero their gun properly as some guys had a solid understanding on the process but you had several that were clueless. I can't tell you how many times I heard guys say 'my gun shoots a little high and to the right' - well we are here to fix that!

With COVID most gun ranges are members only with most clubs having a long waiting list. Since the sport is growing people are looking for new and innovative ways to shoot.

My hobby is to wander on Crown Land - I am always exploring new places. My wife and I recently got some E-Bikes with the big tires and we find old roads and just follow them. Every time we come home, we bring a bag of trash back with us - not ours, but the stuff we find along trails and creeks. I like chips and beer a LOT, but I never leave cans and bags in the bush. I would urge the rest of you that wander the back woods to do the same - we can't save every wild space from idiots but I think if a place looks clean, it's less likely to be trashed up because there is already a pile of stuff there on the ground.