Camping Etiquette

[bottomfeeder]

A group of friends of mine, and I, have been going to the same lake, and camped on the same island for over 15 years now for opener. Lately, the lake (Boulder Lake) has been busier on opener then in years past. Because of this, we have been going up a few days before opener (for the past several years) and pitched a tent on the island to 'reserve' the island. We always take Friday off anyway, so chances are the island would be available when we arive mid-morining Friday, but we didn't want to take any chances.

Well, this year I get a call from the resort on the lake stating someone pitched a tent on the island last week, 'reserving' it.

Well I guess we kinda made our own bed...but I think that is going too far!

Comments?

[IFallsRon]

That's pretty slack and selfish and I can believe it.

We camped at a Mille Lacs state park last fall. When we got to our assigned spot, it was taken and you could see that the squatter had changed the number on the post card.

We were lucky to get a campsite that night because there had been a lot of non-reservation traffic come and take up spots while we were trying to get it figured out.

You can't go anywhere anymore where people don't think the rules apply to them.

[genegodawa]

Even in the northcountry there are too many "inconsiderate bast***s".
But my favorite saying is still "get me a double-wide up north away from all these citiots".
Gene

[Guest]

I hate to say it, but you got beat at your own game. I'm sure someone in the past was "put out" by you pitching a tent early even though you weren't staying in it. These may be those same people who you upset in the past. The old saying "what comes around goes around" comes to mind. I'm not trying to be a jerk, just saying you set the precedence by pitching a tent early.

[jegerjack]

IFallsRon, what camp was it? I would think the park office would have record on who is in what spot.

JegerJack

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"What did the old man trade for these guys, a used puck bag?"

[IFallsRon]

It was Kathio. We go there several times during the year.

On the night in question, there was a couple old babes working the counter who didn't seem too experienced with the process. I could have been a Dick but it was nearly dark and we just wanted a site and to get set up.

It seems we have trouble there every year. The bald guy in charge has an attitude.

[IFallsRon]

I've been down there several times. It's usually full of people with horses. I don't recall the sites being anything special.

[311Hemi]

IFallsRon,

You bey chance know how the group site on the Rum River is at Kathio SP. I have it reserved for Memorial....but have never seen it before. I guess it is near the boat launch to the Rum, and I think it is on the Rum river and about 100 ft off the road..but thats all I got....

just curious of you have seen it at all?

John

[Norsk Fisker]

Bottom Feeder: It sounds like your trick worked well for the other group. How many times did that other group take off early, only to find the site occupied with your tent? I don't think pitching a tent on a site to hold it is called camping. Just like sneaking out a week before season to put up a deer stand and "reserving" your shooting lanes is not hunting.

311Hemi: The group site is near the canoe landing on the River. If Ifalls remembers horses, that was the horse camp by the trail center. According to the HSOforum, there are two group areas near the river. A smaller one for up to 15 people about 100 feet from the parking lot. A larger one for up to 45 people about 100 yards from the lot. Both are tent only areas with a pit toilet and hand pump for water. I only remember one site and it was nicely wooded.

[311Hemi]

Thanks for the info!! We have the smaller 15 person one.....should be a good weekend!!

[shortfatguy]

it is illegal to put up a tent and leave it to "reserve" a site. we ran into this on vermilion last year and talked to the warden about it. he came and took the tent and told us if the people who left it came back to get their name because he wanted to have a word with them. what you expierienced is a perfect example as to why it should be illegal. otherwise you would have people leaving their tent set up all summer to reserve the site for their days off. we always have some one go up early and stay in the site if we want to reserve it. there is no other way to do it since you cant legally reserve them. if i found your tent set up on a site i wanted to use you would not be happy when you got there and i was all setup in the site and the warden was writting you a ticket.

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a bad day at the lake is better than a good day at work