Early camp set up

[washelkhunter]

We set up our 3 wall tents around the third weekend of September and leave them up till the end of general rifle.  We are up only on the weekends until deer opens then there is typically someone there till the end of elk when we break camp.  Have been doing this for last 20 years and have yet to have anything stolen but it will be a *censored*ty day when it happens.  I think if a camp is run down and tent is falling down then it should be considered abandoned. But just cause you havent seen someone in a few days doesn't mean you should take it down.

Filthy squatters   

[spin05]

After 14 days you are required to move atleast 5 miles away.........Pretty much unenforced thou till someone complains.

[Hunter Dug]

For all of you guys that think you can just go in an moves someone elses stuff here are the rules.  A camp is a camp whether there is someone there or not.  Remember they pay for that land too.  First come first serve. If there camp fits these rule and critira.  Dummy camp or not they have the right to be there for up to 28 days.  Period.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest camping rules

Outside of Campgrounds
Camping outside of campgrounds is permitted throughout most of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Please observe a few simple guidelines to make your stay safer and fun, practice the "No Trace" ethic and leave a clean forest for others to enjoy.

Rules
•Maximum Stay Limit: 28 days per site, 45 days per year.
•After 28 days, you are required to move at least 5 miles away.
•Locate your camping spot outside of fragile meadows and restricted areas, and preferably on bare or mineral soil.
•Camp out of view from major roads and trails, where possible.
•Camp at least 100 feet away from the shoreline of lakes and streams to help protect plants and animals that use these areas.
•Avoid trenching around sleeping areas. Select a campsite with good natural drainage.

Water
Streams and lakes are home to many microscopic organisms; some of them can make you very sick. So don't take a chance; treat your water or bring water from home... and, of course, never clean dishes or fish in a stream or lake.

Campfires
Campfires are a favorite camping tradition. Help protect the site and forest with a few precautions:

Use camp stoves to help conserve ground cover resources or....
•Use and existing fire ring where available. If you need one, build it small and in a safe place and not under overhanging branches.
•Gather only dead and down wood for your fire while camping. Never cut (or nail into) live trees. (A firewood permit is required to remove wood from the Forest.)
•You should have a bucket, shovel, and axe available to control or extinguish escaped fire. Never leave a fire unattended.
•Remember Smokey's Message: "Prevent Forest Fires." Be sure your fire is DEAD OUT before you leave. Drown it, turn it, stir it until it's cool to the touch (including charcoal).

Human Waste
If there are no toilets available, choose a suitable, screened spot at least 100 feet away from any stream or lake. Dig a small hole about 6 inches deep by 8 inches in diameter. After use, fill the hole with soil and replace the duff. This allows the waste to decompose naturally. Bury toilet paper in the same hole. Empty built-in or portable toilets at sanitary dump stations.

Camp Waste
Always "PACK IT OUT!" Please leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. Clean up and remove any manure, hay and straw before leaving.
   

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Published: 29 Apr


Read more: http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-gifford-pinchot-national-forest-washington-sidwcmdev_066774.html#ixzz39FRLpMZc

[SCRUBS]

This topic (as well as few others that pop up repeatedly) is always entertaining   My only question is, what the he** is a "jackwagon" This term usually comes up in topics like this

[turkeyfeather]

I have no problem with people setting a camp up early. I also have no problem with someone coming in and setting up their camp in "your" spot if you are not there. If you are not using it you do not get to keep others from using it. It's called public land. Don't like it buy your own.

[washelkhunter]

Hunter dug is wrong, he should have checked the GPNF rules for dispersed and not gorp.  14 day max limit then you need to move 5 miles away. Also dummy camps are not permitted, your site has to be occupied.

[Knocker of rocks]

Hunter dug is wrong, he should have checked the GPNF rules for dispersed and not gorp.  14 day max limit then you need to move 5 miles away. Also dummy camps are not permitted, your site has to be occupied.

He sure is
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5291562.pdf

[Hunter Dug]

Hunter dug is wrong, he should have checked the GPNF rules for dispersed and not gorp.  14 day max limit then you need to move 5 miles away. Also dummy camps are not permitted, your site has to be occupied.

Yes you are right I am wrong.  Still does not negate my point that you cant set camp up early most people are talking about a week, not 14 days not 28 days.  This gives them the right to be there for 14 days whether they are present all the time or not. Clearly states FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. I set my trailer up usually the weekend before the open yes just to save my camping spot for the hunting season and that is my right as I read it.  If you were to come in and take my stuff down and move it out of your way, or burn it or what ever I find it hard to believe that there would not be ramification if the law was informed.  There are rules in place for a reason, if they benefit you great but if they don't, you just do what ever you feel is going to make you feel better about the situation?

[spin05]

Hunter dug is wrong, he should have checked the GPNF rules for dispersed and not gorp.  14 day max limit then you need to move 5 miles away. Also dummy camps are not permitted, your site has to be occupied.

Yes you are right I am wrong.  Still does not negate my point that you cant set camp up early most people are talking about a week, not 14 days not 28 days.  This gives them the right to be there for 14 days whether they are present all the time or not. Clearly states FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. I set my trailer up usually the weekend before the open yes just to save my camping spot for the hunting season and that is my right as I read it.  If you were to come in and take my stuff down and move it out of your way, or burn it or what ever I find it hard to believe that there would not be ramification if the law was informed.  There are rules in place for a reason, if they benefit you great but if they don't, you just do what ever you feel is going to make you feel better about the situation?

Id agree with that. Weather your there camping or just saving your spot for next weekend. As long as you dont out stay your welcome beyond 14 days with all your stuff then dummy camping is allowed.

[washelkhunter]

If the camp site is clearly not occupied then youre not camping. Its abandoned. You dont get to reserve a dispersed camp on public property. Going up the wknd before and dropping a tent or trailer then leaving is illegal. Its really no different then going up and dumping your garbage. Having any real expectations that it will still be there a week or so later is merely hopeful. If your squatting in the site we want well be happy to dispose of your trash, and we have. You best contact your local ranger district for the straight skinny. Happy camping!

[MADMAX]

You guys must not value your stuff
We cant even leave a trailer on private property with out some idiot stealing stuff
and I mean dishes soap, propane bottles that kind of stuff
POS 's

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

This topic (as well as few others that pop up repeatedly) is always entertaining   My only question is, what the he** is a "jackwagon" This term usually comes up in topics like this

Yes I will start a new thread and everybody can chime in on what a JACKWAGON is to them? This will be good!!!!

[pianoman9701]

I'm not sure that an undesignated spot is considered a "dispersed campsite". If you go to the website for Gifford Pinchot National Forest and search "dispersed campsite", it comes up with only one result and that the Indian track area of Indian Heaven.

I've written to the GPNF to get clarification of the rules. I was unable to find anything on their website that defines what an abandoned campsite is.

[Boss .300 winmag]

You guys must not value your stuff
We cant even leave a trailer on private property with out some idiot stealing stuff
and I mean dishes soap, propane bottles that kind of stuff
POS 's

I have special camp gear just for that reason, if they take it, or destroy it 'Im out nothing other than my gas to get there. 

If dummy camping is illegal please show us in writing, i haven't looked for it either.

Why is this such a big isuue anyways, if you can't beat them join them. 

[big wood]

I pack my horse feed,tent,cots and sleeping bags the week before. Then I am able to pack in the rest of my gear the day before opening day. My camp is set up and ready when I get there. Once I left my ..44 mag sitting on my cot. What a jack wagon. I got lucky. But I guess 13 miles in helps.