Bouse 14 day camping enforcement

Honestly don't really understand why people push the stay limits since it only makes thing worse for all boondockers over the long run. I can understand a few extra days here and there, but there are far too many folks who push waaaay beyond the 14-day. Eventually someone complains (or the rangers get wise) and then it ruins the spot for everyone.

This reminds me of the crack-down that happened in Coconino & Prescott National Forests a few years back. Bunch of folks were staying months on end and completely disregarding stay limits. Rangers finally got wise, cracked down hard, and now many of the roads/sites that were previously open to boondocking are completely closed down. Shame for us.

Our tanks are usually getting full at the 14-day limit so we move on. If we wanted to stay longer in CA/AZ we'd buy an LTVA pass...that's what it's for, after all.

While I seriously doubt that anyone would mind a couple who stayed an extra day or two... Its the ones who have dug in and are well into their second month, who've erected a shed and rearranged the landscape, whose refuse is strewn about their campsite and blows like tumbleweeds across the vista that are a bit of a concern. That's when the authorities are called and the rules are brought out and dusted-off and there's a bit of a shake-up.

Definitely both sides have correct points here. I personally would never turn someone in because they might be over a fortnight at one spot. However, come day 12-13, I'll be moving on to another location.

As for the above real estate takeover, here in Texas, it is called adverse possession. If one doesn't keep their land surveyed and someone encroaches, if something isn't done within 5 years, it is theirs. Plus, if the people use a road on your property, they can claim it as an easement as well.

People will try to do this too. If one doesn't either get the other party to sign some form of lease/rent/contract (or at least acknowledge that they have your permission), they can take your property, and even your livestock.

I think people who call BLM or others, on people staying too long don't have enough to do in their lives.

I'm too busy having fun to keep track of who has been in what spot too long :B


sheesh :S

Last season my friend got a camp permit at Quartzsite, stayed 2 nights, moved to Yuma for 2 weeks then came back to Quartzsite and got another permit. The BLM guy came by and told him he had to move because 14 days was up. Even after showing him receipts from Yuma the BLM guy said he was going to call the police to get him cited. Police never came and he stayed his 14 days but some people won't take proof for an answer.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

But as noted above - your log, gas receipts on the way - etc - can provide proof if you are cited and didn't stay over the limit.

Thanks for the info/ideas.

In 7 years of boondocking, we've seen no BLM Rangers, one FS Ranger, and one sheriff. I imagine that we stay in areas that they are not concerned about, though, not high-traffic (popular) areas. Never the less, we'd be hard pressed to make it past 14 days anyway. :D

LS

fish8tor wrote:
I hate all these "holier then thou" people.

and the misuse of 'then.'

There is a stretch of road where there is never any enforcement of the speed limit. One day I was speeding down that road and got a ticket. Cost of doing business, not a greater conspiracy by the government to deprive me of my rights. Same here, broke the law and got caught.

At the lake we like to fish, it is surrounded by BLM land, except for one state park with a campground. There are a couple people who like to pull campers to some of the best shade spots, and leave them all summer, tying up the spot for when they might want to go there.

These rules are needed for people like that.

LenSatic wrote:
What if you've only been there 10, 12, or 13 days? How can you prove it unless a ranger or sheriff had recorded the start date (or, at least, the date that they first noticed you)?

Actually you don't have to prove you were there 14 days or less. The ranger or sheriff has to prove you were there more than 14 days.

That can come from them driving by and recording license numbers (usually) and from written statements of witnesses who have seen your rig there.

But as noted above - your log, gas receipts on the way - etc - can provide proof if you are cited and didn't stay over the limit.