Bush Travel Big Problem For Loggers and Hunters, 1957

November 1, 1957

BLIND RIVER AND DISTRICT

Bush Travel Big Problem For Loggers and Hunters

Suggesting that "the time has come" to do something about the existing problem of restricted bush travel as it concerns sportsmen and timber operators, G. R. Morrison, Sudbury area forester, told a sportsman meeting that "real problems exist."

Speaking to a Zone Two meeting of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters a week ago in Sudbury, Mr. Morrison said if 'the public were prohibited from using accessible timber areas which are under license to logging companies, the recreational values in the province would be seriously reduced.

Mr. Morrison's speech is reprinted, in part, here: (Zone Two covers the Algoma and Sudbury areas of Northern Ontario).

"Our forest areas have many values, and these include, obviously, wood production and recreation. While there are others, let's concentrate on these two, thinking especially of the contacts and relations existing between sportsmen and the logging companies in regard to the use of timber.

"It boils down to this: Crown lead anywhere in Ontario is public land, and, technically, anyone is free to travel in such area. At the same time, company roads are private roads, paid for by the logger, and they are his property. Put these two together, and it means that the sportsman can go anywhere on crown land - provided be can get there without using a privately owned road. If public ( roads do not exist, the alternatives are walking, flying, or getting there by boat or canoe.

Perhaps it's time for the question - Is there a legitimate case against the wide open use of private logging roads by the public? The answer is - Yes, there definitely is.

"Many logging roads are heavily traveled by company vehicles especially in the case of haul roads. A truck with a load of wood usually has enough troubles without dodging visiting drivers touring the same area. This is especially true during the fall hunting season, when wet weather very often makes a road soft, toe shoulders in particular.

"In addition to the road aspect, fire danger during the warm weather season is a vital consideration. During high hazard periods there is no alternative but to restrict travel. The price of carelessness is too high - and it's the company and the taxpayer that are left with the bill, while the offender often gets away very lightly.

There can be no argument over the fact that hunting in an operating area is dangerous for the men working there. It is, incidentally, also hard on their morale. High powered rifles can shoot a long way, and people aren't sure as to just where they are in a good many instances. Safety alone indicates that sections of a timber limit should be free of hunters.

"The story would not be complete if no mention was made concerning the hunter (and fishermen, to lesser degree) and his behavior while in the bush. While there are many "true sportsmen", it is also a fact that there are too many fellows who lose sight of their responsibilities as soon as they get into the woods, "Granted, while there is definite room for improvement on the part of many companies in terms of "public relations", there is still no justifiable excuse for breaking into camps, stealing equipment, smashing locks, and generally wrecking private property.

"Drinking is another problem. It is a general rule that the woods worker cannot drink while in camp. If hunters were allowed uncontrolled access to operating areas, this could bring on a serious situation. If someone here today is prepared to guarantee that all hunters will be "on the wagon" when in the woods, I have no doubt that the difficulties along this line would be greatly reduced.

"The use of company roads rests with the company that built them. At the same time, it is in the interest of public relations and the multiple-use of our forests that reasonable public access be allowed. This may call for a quota system, and, as was mentioned earlier, a toll charge.

"All of which seems fair enough, but it will only function successfully If there is cooperation between sportsmen, the logging companies, and the Department of Lands and Forests. Company officials might attend fish and game meetings with their complaints, and put the matter squarely to the sportsmen in attendance.

"If the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is to be the voice of organized sportsmen in Ontario, then it has a duty to influence the public at large. Whether a man is a member or not, poor behavior is liable to reflect unfavorably on federation.

"While some roads, and some areas, would be rightly 'out of bounds', other parts should be open. A company policy that included a sportsmen welcome aspect might go a long way to lessen the number of broken locks and smashed windows.

It is not uncommon to hear the complaint that company limits are being used as private hunting grounds for the staff. Such a charge may be justified in instances. At the same time, let's admit that restricted hunting on operating areas is still a necessity, and for the people living and working in that vicinity - taking a gun into the nearby bush is one advantage they have over the city dweller who is usually better fixed with facilities for recreation.