Michigan DNR Pushing Back At Homeless "Campers"

[Johnny]

The Michigan DNR is taking steps to prevent homeless people from occupying camp sites.

There's a small "self-pay" state campground just down the road from our property. Homeless cleverly found a way to skirt the rules and remain at campsites for weeks on end without paying. They'd pull in with a van and simply occupy a site without paying. Since they hadn't actually "set up a camp", the rules didn't specifically require payment. Just recently, the DNR changed the rules and require immediate payment upon any occupation of a campsite.

Previous to this, the homeless people doing this didn't cause any trouble, but it's just a matter of time. As you know, they bring crime, trash and problems. At another Michigan campground (one of the free ones), I saw a trailer sitting at one site that looks like it's someone's permanent home, complete with multiple vehicles, junk everywhere, and a pit bull on a chain. Who wants to camp next to that? By allowing this to take place, the homeless pretty much take over the whole campground.

Michigan has some pretty nice state campgrounds that are actually free to use. One of my favorites is accessible only by canoe. People who use it keep it clean and the place is always nice. It's so secluded that every time I've used it, there wasn't a soul there. Other free ones are accessible by car and are great alternatives for families on a budget. You simply cannot allow homeless to get their feet in the door. Once you do, they'll ruin it.

[Solid Snake]

Michigan DNR officers are quick to write tickets to hunters who make mistakes, or just barely cross over the line (no hunting license, hunting over a bait pile, etc), let's see if they step up in this situation where they can really make a difference.

[Johnny]

Michigan DNR officers are quick to write tickets to hunters who make mistakes, or just barely cross over the line (no hunting license, hunting over a bait pile, etc), let's see if they step up in this situation where they can really make a difference.

I'm no fan of the DNR. Most are fat, lazy guys who never leave their pickups. That said, I must disagree over your definition of "barely crossing the line". Hunting without a license is pretty serious. It's basically poaching. As far as "hunting over bait piles", this is also a point of contention. I've pretty much given up deer hunting because everyone around me is hunting (illegally) over bait. The only deer who cross through my property are on the way to bait piles.

Actually, it's very similar to salmon fishing. So many people are spearing, snagging and netting that's it's really not a sport I want to have anything to do with.

[ColonelKorn]

The Uwharrie Natl. Forest in NC is being occupied too

[Johnny]

The Uwharrie Natl. Forest in NC is being occupied too

The homeless problem isn't completely solved. I still see a familiar white van that's been there for 3-4 days. No law is worth anything unless it's actually enforced. The Michigan DNR is weak.

I'm not happy with homeless people camped out 1/4 mile from my property boundary. I plan on "minding my own business" and see what becomes of it. Might not be a big deal. Most likely, it will become a problem, and I have many lawful options at my disposal.

[Johnny]

I'm seeing a bit more of a homeless problem creeping into my small, rural town.

Our downtown band pavilion is becoming something of a homeless hang out. Wife and I stopped downtown for ice cream today and sat on one of the picnic tables. There were about 6 homeless people in cars and just hanging about. I wasn't comfortable. Neither was she.

[4thIDvet]

The homeless problem isn't completely solved. I still see a familiar white van that's been there for 3-4 days. No law is worth anything unless it's actually enforced. The Michigan DNR is weak.

I'm not happy with homeless people camped out 1/4 mile from my property boundary. I plan on "minding my own business" and see what becomes of it. Might not be a big deal. Most likely, it will become a problem, and I have many lawful options at my disposal.

You think you have problems now? Wait till the 'Rainbow People' find your treasure trove up their. Their a rag tag harmless bunch who are still holding on to the 1960s Hippy way of life. Membership is in the thousands from all over the country and the world. Very organized don't leave a mess but they will shoplift local stores.
They move in to Nat. Forest camping en mass. Set up kitchens, medical tents, entertainment and use the bathrooms. Told the local loggers to stop cutting their trees. Whoops loggers tied them up head to toe to the trees and left them their. They got the message. 😂

Rainbow People

"The term "rainbow people" refers to members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light, a loose-knit counter-culture community that holds large, nomadic, primitive camping events called Rainbow Gatherings on public lands. While they don't have a permanent location, the Ocala National Forest has been the site of past Rainbow Gatherings, which attract thousands of people who share a common philosophy centered on peace, love, and community."

rainbow people ocala national forest - Google Search

ADD: Local loggers are some big strong guys. Police laughed to all hell when they complained about getting tied up.

[Johnny]

You think you have problems now? Wait till the 'Rainbow People' find your treasure trove up their. Their a rag tag harmless bunch who are still holding on to the 1960s Hippy way of life. Membership is in the thousands from all over the country and the world. Very organized don't leave a mess but they will shoplift local stores.
They move in to Nat. Forest camping en mass. Set up kitchens, medical tents, entertainment and use the bathrooms. Told the local loggers to stop cutting their trees. Whoops loggers tied them up head to toe to the trees and left them their. They got the message. 😂

Rainbow People

"The term "rainbow people" refers to members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light, a loose-knit counter-culture community that holds large, nomadic, primitive camping events called Rainbow Gatherings on public lands. While they don't have a permanent location, the Ocala National Forest has been the site of past Rainbow Gatherings, which attract thousands of people who share a common philosophy centered on peace, love, and community."

rainbow people ocala national forest - Google Search

ADD: Local loggers are some big strong guys. Police laughed to all hell when they complained about getting tied up.

I haven't heard of those folks, but there are similar people causing problems along sections of Michigan's scenic North Country Trail which runs through my county. There's a beautiful lake along the trail. They found a way to cut a road to the lake. Now it's a place you don't want to go. Any scenic place with easy vehicular access becomes trashed in no time. As soon as you remove vehicular access, the problem goes away. When I stay overnight along this trail, I make sure to camp in places far from humans. I do get concerned about bears, but haven't even seen one yet. Knock on wood.

One of my favorite camp sites is a free place in the National Forest along the Pere Marquette River. You can only reach it by canoe or a long hike. I backpacked there just last week and stayed over night. Very peaceful and clean.

[Sanders]

A lot of young people can't afford rent, let alone to buy a house, so the proverbial "Van down by the river" is the option they are choosing.

The price of gold used to be equal to one week's wages. Now? I don't think too many middle class folks are making $3,800/wk.