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July 28th, 2020, 04:05 PM
#1
Hunting land bordering public land - pros and cons?
A dream of mine has been to own my own piece of land where I can go to hunt, hike, ride, explore and just hang out in a basic cabin. I currently hunt a pretty large piece of private land and a few public land parcels in WMUs 64a and 65. I've found that in the areas that I hunt, quite a bit of land is needed to have good success, especially for deer. I don't know if I will ever have enough cash to purchase a large enough piece of property that is relatively close to home, and if there is no decent waterfront, I don't think I will be able to convince my wife that we should borrow money to buy it. To be honest, I don't really want to borrow money to purchase a hunting property either.
I am looking at other options, such as buying a smaller hunting property (without financing) that borders public land, or buying a cottage (with financing) that borders public land. On the one hand, it would be great to be able to walk out of my cabin on my little property and onto a huge area where I could do all my favourite activities. Or, if I go the cottage route, the whole family could enjoy it all summer, and I would still be able to use it in their "off season" for hunting etc. due to the proximity of public land. On the other hand, I am wondering if bordering public land is more of a hassle than a benefit. Issues like trespassing, vandalism, illegal dumping, dangerous hunting practices etc. come to mind.
What have been your experiences with properties bordering public land, either good or bad?
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July 28th, 2020 04:05 PM
# ADS
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July 28th, 2020, 04:24 PM
#2
A would sagest not to buy hunting land , and not to buy cottage either not to buy Truck either , get a little box trailer put a bed in under a bead cooler box with 4-5 in insulation and when you want to go hunting rent a truck pul your trailer go up north on crown land the rest of the money use to go last minute Cuba for Christmas ( wife will love it ) Cottage cost money to maintain and can't justify the cost , except if you want to be a proud Cottage owner ... Keep it small simple and mortgage free ...

Originally Posted by
rf2
A dream of mine has been to own my own piece of land where I can go to hunt, hike, ride, explore and just hang out in a basic cabin. I currently hunt a pretty large piece of private land and a few public land parcels in WMUs 64a and 65. I've found that in the areas that I hunt, quite a bit of land is needed to have good success, especially for deer. I don't know if I will ever have enough cash to purchase a large enough piece of property that is relatively close to home, and if there is no decent waterfront, I don't think I will be able to convince my wife that we should borrow money to buy it. To be honest, I don't really want to borrow money to purchase a hunting property either.
I am looking at other options, such as buying a smaller hunting property (without financing) that borders public land, or buying a cottage (with financing) that borders public land. On the one hand, it would be great to be able to walk out of my cabin on my little property and onto a huge area where I could do all my favourite activities. Or, if I go the cottage route, the whole family could enjoy it all summer, and I would still be able to use it in their "off season" for hunting etc. due to the proximity of public land. On the other hand, I am wondering if bordering public land is more of a hassle than a benefit. Issues like trespassing, vandalism, illegal dumping, dangerous hunting practices etc. come to mind.
What have been your experiences with properties bordering public land, either good or bad?
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July 28th, 2020, 04:29 PM
#3
I doubt if I will ever buy any land to hunt. Like you I hunt private or crown land.
Land wise I have more than enough places and cannot recall ever having an issue.
You could maybe buy some land up North of the Mattawa River along side crown and put a camper that would be quite cheap, compared to buying a hundred acres. I have considered this in the past but I doubt I will.
"This is about unenforceable registration of weapons that violates the rights of people to own firearms."—Premier Ralph Klein (Alberta)Calgary Herald, 1998 October 9 (November 1, 1942 – March 29, 2013) OFAH Member
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July 28th, 2020, 04:37 PM
#4
I have a two friends who back onto the Limerick..one has his one acre House lot gives him access thru his back yard and a 2nd guy, who used to be in our Hunt Camp, scored a nice parcel of private land that butts against the Western side of the Limerick forest. That part of the Limerick is not easily accessible so it makes it pretty secluded.
He set up a few trail cams last year and the size of the bucks he was seeing are amazing.
So yes , it's done all the time and can pay off. Mind you the Limerick is not hunted very heavily. Other places in the province you might see more of the issues you have concerns with.
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July 28th, 2020, 04:45 PM
#5
Has too much time on their hands
Have to say I'm somewhat envious of your plans rf2.
I was part of a family camp that bordered crown land that has since been sold. We had trails throughout property that connected to public snowmobile and ATV trails that run through the area (near Bobcaygeon). We had our trails posted but quite honestly it would have been a full time job to try to keep people out. We kept a pretty relaxed stance on the joy riders but were vigilant on addressing the issue if we came across anyone hunting or setting up to.
For the most part, we didn't have any persistent issues with trespassers but it did help that my uncle lived in the area and could keep an eye on things.
The crown land groups in the area had hunted the area for years and aside from the odd guy here or there that wandered over the line it was fine.
I have heard some horror stories though. I'm sure you'll ask some questions about the local hunters before laying your money down.
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"where a man feels at home, outside of where he's born, is where he's meant to go"
- Ernest Hemingway
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July 28th, 2020, 05:20 PM
#6
Talked to a guy last weekend that has had a cottage in the family since 1941 surrounded by thousands of acres of crown land. The crown land is part of the Algonquin land claim agreement and his area looks like it will be turned into a provincial park.
Great for the price of his cottage but he does not think he can hunt if it all goes through.
So he ends up with a nice cottage on 5 acres
https://www.ontario.ca/page/algonquin-land-claim
If you own it it’s yours if your banking on public or crown land you are at the whim of changes out of your control.
Saying that his family has had 80+ years of awesome hunting.
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July 28th, 2020, 05:52 PM
#7

Originally Posted by
GW11
Have to say I'm somewhat envious of your plans rf2.
I was part of a family camp that bordered crown land that has since been sold. We had trails throughout property that connected to public snowmobile and ATV trails that run through the area (near Bobcaygeon). We had our trails posted but quite honestly it would have been a full time job to try to keep people out. We kept a pretty relaxed stance on the joy riders but were vigilant on addressing the issue if we came across anyone hunting or setting up to.
For the most part, we didn't have any persistent issues with trespassers but it did help that my uncle lived in the area and could keep an eye on things.
The crown land groups in the area had hunted the area for years and aside from the odd guy here or there that wandered over the line it was fine.
I have heard some horror stories though. I'm sure you'll ask some questions about the local hunters before laying your money down.
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That area seems to have just exploded with popularity among offroad clubs (trucks, bikes, quads. ) and with that comes plenty of people who could see the hunting potential. I have even been asked to move along while small game hunting because somebody was hosting a factory sponsored ATV ride.
On the topic of land bordering public, I can't say I'd want to invest unless it was pretty remote with not much trail access/ use. On the other hand, a cottage with plenty of public land within close proximity gives you plenty of options. I guess it all depends on what kind of hunting you prefer, freelance style or pre set with ATV access. I hunt exclusively public land and have seen the extent some bordering owners have gone to trying to keep people from crossing that line.
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July 28th, 2020, 05:55 PM
#8
I own a 117 acres bordered on 2 sides by many 1000s of acres of crown. Have not had any trespasser issues so far. That being said nearest trails on the crown are a fair distance from my property lines.
The wilderness is not a stadium where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, it is the cathedral where I worship.
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July 28th, 2020, 08:41 PM
#9
Depends on the land but of course thats obvious. I have a friend with land that abuts crown land and its great in some aspects not all. Its like having tons of area to roam and explore and in the off seasons lots of opportunity for hunting. Now during peak rut, no thanks. its packed in there with skewed buck/doe ratios so its hard if you dont win the lottery. During bow season not as bad though, there are clear markers that some people having been in there but not like gun season.
I wouldnt shy away from being next to crown land but would really have to see what your getting into first.
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July 28th, 2020, 09:09 PM
#10
i feel like you would have less issues bordering crown land than we do in southern ontario come the november hunt when it's ALL private land.