Crown land camping ont

mgcolley

mgcolley

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Parry Sound
Hey,

I found some crown land I'm hoping to hunt but I have never camped on crown land. What is everyone's experiences. I am worried about running into people who are crazy or don't like people hunting on "their" crown land. Also rules... Can I just pitch a tent anywhere? Could I just pull to the side if the road and find a clearing or even sleep in my car? And last question! Sighting in my rifle on crown land ok?
 
In BC you can camp on crown land in one spot for (I think) 21 days at a time and then you have to move . Camping does not include pole structures or anything semi permanent , RV /Car or Tent/ Trailer would be fine . Shooting is a tricky one because there are certain areas that are defined no shooting zones so you would have to check local ,provincial and federal acts, laws etc. Crazy people are everywhere it's like the deep south out there ... lol There are no guarantees on that front you are welcome there,and so is every other Canadian and tourist for about 1000 miles around .
 
go have fun its the great outdoors! you do run into people from time to time and they will probably think you are the crazy. Just follow common sense rules.(its the only place I camp)
 
Just be aware that some crown land is leased to hunters in Central Ontario. You will be extremely unpopular should you decide to hunt in one of these areas.
 
Use the on-line Crown Land Use Atlas. Don't go on anybody's say-so that one area or another is Crown. I've come across citiots hiking on my property and had them tell me it's Crown Land.
 
"...camped on crown land..." Seems to me the rules for that are on the Ontario MNR's web site. You can run into lunatics anywhere.
"...Sighting in my rifle on crown land ok?..." Depends on where the land is. Any of it close to any urban area will be awash in assorted riff-raff. Hikers, skiers, picknickers, etc. You are responsible for where every shot ends up, so be absolutely sure of what is behind your back stop.
 
cosmic said:
Just be aware that some crown land is leased to hunters in Central Ontario. You will be extremely unpopular should you decide to hunt in one of these areas.
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Just because the crown land is leased does not mean they control the hunting rights on that land. Generally the lease only grants use over a small area where a structure/camp is located.

Being unpopular among the locals who think they own crown land is not the same thing as trespassing, just be polite and tell them to pound sand.
 
mgcolley said:
All very good points! I'm confident it is crown land but how the heck do I know if its been leased out to hunters?
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Most Crown leases are for a hunt camp/cabin and the immediate area surrounding the camp (think cottage lot). Very seldom do Crown leases encompass large tracts of land solely for the purpose of hunting.

~edit~ looks like xeon beat me to it! lol
 
So long as we're informing the misinformed, the more times its said over and over the better. Self entitlement to crown land is ruining the sport, and if I were a new hunter that was told by someone that they had exclusive access to a tract of crown land because they had a camp there, I just might believe them. I wonder how many times people get pushed off of spots just because of this kind of garbage.
 
If it's crown land you can pretty much just treat it like public land (which for the most part, it is). Camp, fish, have some fun with the guns. I do it routinely. No sense paying for a campsite full of loud campers and dirty washrooms when you can get solitude and beautiful surroundings for free.

One notable exception. Given your location, I'm wondering if you're considering the hunk of crown land on the 118 between the 400 and haliburton. If that's the chunk of land you're thinking of then you can't just camp anywhere. The southern most point of that chunk and the northern part actually have assigned campsites you have to call ahead and book and pay for (they are absolutely stunning sites BTW, cinder lakes). The huge mass of land between those two though, that you can camp anywhere -but on the top and bottom portions they'll fine you if you haven't confirmed and paid for camping. It's an odd situation, I think they handed part of the crown over to the local municipality or something.
 
waterwheel said:
If it's crown land you can pretty much just treat it like public land (which for the most part, it is). Camp, fish, have some fun with the guns. I do it routinely. No sense paying for a campsite full of loud campers and dirty washrooms when you can get solitude and beautiful surroundings for free.

One notable exception. Given your location, I'm wondering if you're considering the hunk of crown land on the 118 between the 400 and haliburton. If that's the chunk of land you're thinking of then you can't just camp anywhere. The southern most point of that chunk and the northern part actually have assigned campsites you have to call ahead and book and pay for (they are absolutely stunning sites BTW, cinder lakes). The huge mass of land between those two though, that you can camp anywhere -but on the top and bottom portions they'll fine you if you haven't confirmed and paid for camping. It's an odd situation, I think they handed part of the crown over to the local municipality or something.
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Yep. Just go here for maps & booking on-line.

https://secure.camis.com/HHWT/
 
Common courtesy for other hunters should be first and foremost. You don't want to ruin anybody's hunt, but at the same time if you are on Crown Land and someone gives you grief for being there you should calmly state your case and explain that you have just as much right to be on Crown Land as anybody. Also remember to pack everything out that you brought in. Don't leave any garbage behind, especially empty cartridges or shotgun hulls.
 
I've had people threaten me before it's funny when they do it while your holding a nice big shotgun then they realize wait your holding a shotgun... Was priceless Hey you this it my land if you come in here I'll kill you.. (it was crown land and I know that for a fact) That and I was holding a shotgun made it funny he went wait never mind you might be the land owner since your holding a gun here see ya... It was some biker looking dude looking to setup a meth lab because I chatted with the police after and said O over on so and so trail I had some biker dude with a cobra on the back of his jacket threaten to kill me for being on his land which I know for a fact it isn't his land as I have a map of all the owned land in the area from the town. (it's a copy) They went O we know who that is it's so and so they just got out of jail for setting up a meth lab he's harmless but a little crazy. I said yah threatening someone holding a shotgun is crazy alright. They laughed about it and said don't worry were watching him thanks for letting us know were he plans on setting up a lab. He does it on crown land and chases people away but with to many people in the area he won't do it so he checks things out.

That's what happens in the bush sometimes I'm not afraid of people I just go if your going to kill me with that knife your going to do it. I can't stop you but if you do come at me with it and I do get it away from you I will stab you back. I've said that to 1 native guy who threatened to stab me with a knife I said you can try but if I get that knife I will stab you back and do you want to fight the traditional way since you claim to be a warrior for your tribe he said what you mean I said we draw a circle you throw the knife in the middle 1 person comes out or loses if they leave the circle. You can do it with no weapon or with a weapon it's the traditional method. He was supprised I knew so much about it but I know several native people in his band he was visting from another band and didn't like white people the elders said why are you bugging him we let people pass through here and we know him as well he knows more about this band then some of the kids in it because I was interested in the history. That was when I was yonger

I had a native man on 1 side of the fence shoot 2 rounds at a bird and miss and he said if you come onto my land I will shoot you I said well I saw your sign warning people (it actually says we will shoot you it's native land) I said well your out because you only have 2 in that shotgun and you shot at that bird and it flew off he went and pulled 2 more rounds out of his pocket and I said fair enough but that's bird shot chances are I would be still standing after it and really pissed off. I then climbed over the fence walked up to him stuck my hand out and said hi my name is so and so. He said your not from around here are you I said no I'm just visting my Grandmother and this is her farm I was just walking along the fence to see what's out here he said I like your Grandmother she is very nice to us not like the people over there. They can't go into town they get kicked out so they have to drive a long ways to the city to buy gas and stuff like that because the gas station in town won't sell it to them. I went really they get so much business they won't sell it to someone (They really don't and the owners complain all the time we don't make any money). He went into town because I told him they can't tell you can't be in town no one has the right you can shop anywhere you want who cares what people think. He went into a shop and tried to buy a hammer and the guy said I don't sell to him I said why not he has money and you just finished telling me how business in a small town sucks because everyone drives to town or is business so good that you can refuse a customer. That shut him up quick and he bought his hammer said to me see never will change out here I said yes but you got the hammer you needed.

So you never know what you will run into the bush but the main thing is most people won't kill you they might try to scare you but if your stuborn like a mule like me and aren't afraid of them they tend to change and become very friendly. I know how to treat mountain men who spend there whole life in the woods and have gone a little nuts you don't be afraid of them you just be friendly towards them as I've run into people like that in the deep back woods. They tend to be very nice as well it's the city people that tend to be an ass at times in the woods.

Sometimes the best thing to do is stick out your hand and say Hi my name is so and so. Most people are kind of surprised by this response and it works well when people are angry or seem mad at you for what ever reason. Then you can play dumb or go I got this map here that says this is crown land.

The areas close to the city get sick of people coming in getting drunk speeding down the roads having wild partys in the bush then leaveing a huge mess for the locals to look at and it happens over and over and they get angry about it and just want to put a gate in to stop people from going down the road. That happens allot. That's why some people might come at you and be all pissed off. There are some scams in the bush like charging for free campsites that the government have setup in areas stuff like that happen all the time they dress in official looking clothing. I've called the cops on them and they run quick... it's always the same person every weekend... It's 20 bucks to drive down this road and camp here... I go no it isn't I'm calling the police and they run...
 
Last edited:
haha49 said:
I've had people threaten me before it's funny when they do it while your holding a nice big shotgun then they realize wait your holding a shotgun... Was priceless Hey you this it my land if you come in here I'll kill you.. (it was crown land and I know that for a fact) That and I was holding a shotgun made it funny he went wait never mind you might be the land owner since your holding a gun here see ya... It was some biker looking dude looking to setup a meth lab because I chatted with the police after and said O over on so and so trail I had some biker dude with a cobra on the back of his jacket threaten to kill me for being on his land which I know for a fact it isn't his land as I have a map of all the owned land in the area from the town. (it's a copy) They went O we know who that is it's so and so they just got out of jail for setting up a meth lab he's harmless but a little crazy. I said yah threatening someone holding a shotgun is crazy alright. They laughed about it and said don't worry were watching him thanks for letting us know were he plans on setting up a lab. He does it on crown land and chases people away but with to many people in the area he won't do it so he checks things out.

That's what happens in the bush sometimes I'm not afraid of people I just go if your going to kill me with that knife your going to do it. I can't stop you but if you do come at me with it and I do get it away from you I will stab you back. I've said that to 1 native guy who threatened to stab me with a knife I said you can try but if I get that knife I will stab you back and do you want to fight the traditional way since you claim to be a warrior for your tribe he said what you mean I said we draw a circle you throw the knife in the middle 1 person comes out or loses if they leave the circle. You can do it with no weapon or with a weapon it's the traditional method. He was supprised I knew so much about it but I know several native people in his band he was visting from another band and didn't like white people the elders said why are you bugging him we let people pass through here and we know him as well he knows more about this band then some of the kids in it because I was interested in the history. That was when I was yonger

I had a native man on 1 side of the fence shoot 2 rounds at a bird and miss and he said if you come onto my land I will shoot you I said well I saw your sign warning people (it actually says we will shoot you it's native land) I said well your out because you only have 2 in that shotgun and you shot at that bird and it flew off he went and pulled 2 more rounds out of his pocket and I said fair enough but that's bird shot chances are I would be still standing after it and really pissed off. I then climbed over the fence walked up to him stuck my hand out and said hi my name is so and so. He said your not from around here are you I said no I'm just visting my Grandmother and this is her farm I was just walking along the fence to see what's out here he said I like your Grandmother she is very nice to us not like the people over there. They can't go into town they get kicked out so they have to drive a long ways to the city to buy gas and stuff like that because the gas station in town won't sell it to them. I went really they get so much business they won't sell it to someone (They really don't and the owners complain all the time we don't make any money). He went into town because I told him they can't tell you can't be in town no one has the right you can shop anywhere you want who cares what people think. He went into a shop and tried to buy a hammer and the guy said I don't sell to him I said why not he has money and you just finished telling me how business in a small town sucks because everyone drives to town or is business so good that you can refuse a customer. That shut him up quick and he bought his hammer said to me see never will change out here I said yes but you got the hammer you needed.

So you never know what you will run into the bush but the main thing is most people won't kill you they might try to scare you but if your stuborn like a mule like me and aren't afraid of them they tend to change and become very friendly. I know how to treat mountain men who spend there whole life in the woods and have gone a little nuts you don't be afraid of them you just be friendly towards them as I've run into people like that in the deep back woods. They tend to be very nice as well it's the city people that tend to be an ass at times in the woods.

Sometimes the best thing to do is stick out your hand and say Hi my name is so and so. Most people are kind of surprised by this response and it works well when people are angry or seem mad at you for what ever reason. Then you can play dumb or go I got this map here that says this is crown land.

The areas close to the city get sick of people coming in getting drunk speeding down the roads having wild partys in the bush then leaveing a huge mess for the locals to look at and it happens over and over and they get angry about it and just want to put a gate in to stop people from going down the road. That happens allot. That's why some people might come at you and be all pissed off. There are some scams in the bush like charging for free campsites that the government have setup in areas stuff like that happen all the time they dress in official looking clothing. I've called the cops on them and they run quick... it's always the same person every weekend... It's 20 bucks to drive down this road and camp here... I go no it isn't I'm calling the police and they run...
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you should be banned from posting on Internet, until you learn to use commas and other punctuation marks :/

I'm pretty sure you have a great point and valid experiences and such, but trying to read your post is just plain painful :( please
 
rhino519 said:
you should be banned from posting on Internet, until you learn to use commas and other punctuation marks :/

I'm pretty sure you have a great point and valid experiences and such, but trying to read your post is just plain painful :( please
Click to expand...

You didn't even bother to capitalize the first word in your sentience after pointing out someones grammar. Regardless, it has a good moral.
 
I tried, really, English being my second language, it hurt. Can't make it pass first paragraph guys, really :(
I hate being 'that guy', I have my little slips too, like most (eh, Xeon ;)) but a whole essay???!!
Please, make it readable:cheers:

btw, I'll blame my slips on posting off a iPhone, bloody thing is annoying ;)
 
So... as an Ontario resident, you are permitted to camp on crown land in any one location for a maximum of 21 days... you may NOT build "permanent" structures... eg. pole buildings, tables etc... you must dismantle all remnants of your camp before departing... you may NOT block public access to roads, navigable water launches or organized trails (snowmobile or ATV etc...).

Last year we almost had an incident, because we arrived at the launch to our portage in (crown land) camp and found it blocked by two RV's... they had parked in such a way to bar access to the launch and had parked vehicles and built tables etc... impeding access. We arrived on location at 7 am to put in. I knocked on the trailer doors and there was no answer... I called out and got no reply... we were discussing what our options were, when a woman came out of one trailer... she was perturbed. I apologized for the early wake-up, but pointed out that they were blocking a public access point and would have to move asap... she told me that they were allowed to camp on crown land... I told her not when they impeded road and water access for other citizens... just then her very much still drunk husband charged out of the trailer and began screaming, swearing and threatening us... it was a sh#t show there for awhile (I was with my father and son)... finally the drunk mouthed of to my son and made a gesture like he was going to strike him... I had had enough, and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and tossed him down the embankment into the river... when he finally crawled out, I told him that if he opened his mouth one more time, he wouldn't wake up until Christmas... while this was going on, the other RV owners had begun to hurriedly pack up and moved their vehicles enough so that we could "hand-bomb" our stuff to the landing... as we were departing (for five days up river), they yelled that they were calling the cops... I yelled back please do... I fretted for five days that out vehicles would be vandalized by the low-life... but when we returned, they were gone and our vehicles were fine.

In another situation, a group of RVers had completely blocked access to a popular remote walleye lake... a fellow arrived to fish and found trucks parked blocking access... he hooked up chains to one of the trucks and tied off to his big dually and yanked the truck off the road into the bush... two guys came barrelling off the lake and confronted him in a threatening manner, so he promptly beat the crap out of both of them, and then went fishing. When he returned he was confronted by OPP officers and arrested... he subsequently laid counter charges of assault on the two men that had blocked public access... at court the man was exonerated, and the two men who had blocked access were charged and fined (not sure of those details)... that location was barred from overnight camping... the MNR posted a large sign and patrols there regularly.

Due to situations like this (far too common) the MNR has closed many public access points to overnight camping.
 
...almost had an incident? :D

I don't know if I'd mess with a mans truck, but I guess they were being pretty ignorant. I suppose they were expecting a Ned Flanders type to show up and then promptly move along. I guess they forgot that Bubba likes fishing too.
 
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