Posted on 11/12/2024 1:46:46 AM PST by george76
I have been reading the articles concerning Proposition 127 and how this undermines the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s ability to properly manage wildlife. I agree 100 percent. However, there is another insidious movement underway that will undermine both the CPW and hunting in a big way. The National Forest Service is quietly, but steadily closing off dispersed camping — camping in areas other than designated campgrounds.
I experienced this in September on my muzzleloading deer/elk hunt in South Park. This will probably be the last tented hunting camp I will be able to do with my hunting partner. I am 70 years old and he is a very feeble 74. We set up camp on Thursday before the season started. It took us two days to get camp set up, planning to stay for 12 days. The camping trip is as important as the hunting.
I hunted opening morning and came back to camp about noon. We were sitting in camp eating lunch when the Division of Wildlife (CPW) drove into our camp. After showing them my licenses and getting the “all clear,” they told us we were going to have to move our “illegal” camp. We camped in this location 28 years ago, and again 14 years ago. Apparently dispersed camping is becoming illegal. Because of our age and the logistics of packing up our camp, they gave us a two day “grace” period to get packed up and out. Our camp is fairly extensive and to get it loaded into my three-quarter-ton pickup takes some serious organized packing. Once packed up, we were not going to move, especially not knowing where we could camp without being illegal. We just came home — a whole hunt and the cost, down the tube. Not even a relaxing camping trip.
The stated reason behind our camp being “illegal” was “resource damage” especially by vehicles. Like I said, we camped in this location 28 years and 14 years ago. The location looked the same as it did 28 years ago. There were no trees cut down (except by the beaver), there were no rutted tracks through the trees, there was nothing to show that anyone had camped there but a rock fire ring. So, I don’t understand the reasoning. And, if the issue was resource damage by vehicles, why did the CPW drive into camp rather than parking on the main road 75 yards away and walking in?
Since then, I have learned that they are doing the same thing in North Park — closing off dispersal camp sites. A friend of ours, who at one time worked for the Department of Natural Resources in Minnesota, says they are doing the same thing in Minnesota.
“Rewilding” is hitting us on a national level via the National Forest Service. The actions of NFS will serve to further curtail hunting, since there will be no place to camp, and hamper the CPW’s ability to use hunting as a management tool. It will not be long before the only ones allowed in the forest will be the wolves.
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
Were you on NFS land or state own land ?
I would question the ability of state officers kicking you off NFS land and was it posted.
Can’t have the commoners using the King’s land.
Rooting the eco-extremists who make these kinds of decisions out of the bureaucracy will be very difficult.
The elite left hates the middle class Kulaks who provide for their families.
The elites do not want the Kulaks in the King forest camping, hiking, fishing, hunting .. thus they release - not native - wolves to help run the middle class away.
Great. I just purchased a rooftop tent camper for my pickup so we could do more dispersed camping.
SCOTUS Chevron Decision is apparently not being adhered to.
You have a good point.
As a person that once worked for the National Park Service, I can attest to the fact that many people do not know the difference between a state park and a national park. So there’s a strong probability many also do not know the difference between state forests and national forests.
Just more government ridiculousness... While our once beautiful cities are turned into ruins.
No me, the author was camping.
The tyrant elites leave the borders open to overwhelm communities / not only in fly over states like Ohio.
The tyrants use any crisis to increase their power to control their subjects / formerly known as citizens.
Introducing wolves is another tool that kills family farmers, family ranchers .. closes hiking trails, camping in the King’s forest, and more .
The middle class needs to push back or become slaves.
Just tell them NO as I am a taxpayer and if I can’t camp then no more taxes for you.
The solution to this is the same as the solution for all woke insanity.
Makes you wonder how they will stop hunting camps all over the mountain ranges this elk and deer season.
Sounds more like the government is trying to coral campers so they can be “watched for their own safety”. I am surprised they have not brought in grizzly bears to give reason for the close camping.
BIDEN also wants to build Housing for illegals in National Parks.
Yep, it’s the next step when land is “owned” by the government when it is supposedly owned by the people.
They did this this year in SE Washington State. Drove off a guy camped in the far outback where he had hiked.
The people running Biden also want to build Housing for illegals in National Parks.
FTFY
Biden may get to choose what flavor pudding he gets.
Its all about Gauii, mother earth. Trumps going to stomp all over this.
“It will not be long before the only ones allowed in the forest will be the wolves.” The author has captured the objective.
SSS
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