The beauty of the place is all being destroyed by people leaving trash everywhere. Big Bass Campground 9. Salvation Army Maj.Dwayne Durham said his agency's Ocala facility will open its doors for the homeless when conditions like rain or temperatures below about 50 degrees warrant a "Weather Night.". On Saturday, March 24, my wife and I (we are in our 60s) set out for an overnight hike from Farles Prairie to Clearwater Lake. Ms. Blackburn, Have you thought about having them activate Christine's case. Forest where Larry (Frank) Dugger was shot and killed while attending a Rainbow Gathering. I stumbled upon it just recently and I've gone to the beginning and am reading oldest to newest - absolutely riveting!Anyhow, I felt compelled to comment on how odd it is to me that people seem offended by you posting true stories, things that have actually happened in the forest. Good day, Sir. Hi Connie,If you'll contact me at kmmblog@gmail.com I'd be willing to write a more detailed account of Crhistine's case. It is so large and wide spread that people just dump bodies and they are never found. Stick to the main areas of the forest. Just FYI, the grocery store/ gas station next to Salt Springs Park has re-opened. All rights reserved. take care and be safe near the forest! There is a Boy Scout Camp in Paisley that host 1000's of them in the summer. The annual "PIT" count seeks to determine the number of homeless people sheltered in facilities as well as those who are living outside, unsheltered, over a 24-hour period. The forest contains the largest concentration of sand pine in the world as well as some of the best remaining stands of longleaf pine in central Florida. He stated the people were usually friendly, and notedthat hearing the individual stories is key to understanding their plight. "(The interviewees) were a wide range of ages," Leibfried said. We're actually going back this weekend. Most of these high use areas are patrolled by Forest Rangers. Black bears are very dangerous. A gun has no life of its own. I have lived in a mega city where there is gang violence in certain areas, I have worked and lived in those areas. I will armed with a knife & a gun from here on out! Ocala has adopted harsh policing policies and earned notoriety for the way it criminalizes homelessness. The several that I passed were not deep in the forest and I am imagining that they served as shelter at night but that the owners emerged during daylight hours for school, work etc. There is a great deal of information out there. I understand the local drunken parties (though absolutely hate them), but what is with shooting guns at night? Idk the area.Good luck unknown and keep protection near by. I truly appreciate this blog and its comments f on all sides. I have spent decades in the woods hiking alone, as a single female. The IES complex includes the one-acre "Agape Park" on the south side of Southwest SecondStreet, where people are welcomeovernight when the temperature is above about 60 degrees. Now you have to park and walk to it.There are lots of jeep trails as well as 4 wheeler trails. 4.8/5. I thought that I was far enough from the cities and their issues to be fairly safe, but safety is only an illusion in these times. Urban Woodswalker silly comment? I saw a man (mid-20s - early 30s) 2 nights ago at the 24 hour Mobil station on route 40 in Silver Springs. Its doesnt matter if they happen elsewhere in cities, or wherever. What used to be a fishermans paradise and a hunters delight has been despoiled. Sadly, we did not get a tag number.Shortly after that, a shirtless man rode by on a bicycle on the Trail, saw my wife but not me, and asked her if she was alone. This took about 20 minutes. Ocala National Forest Homeless Closed Thread Thread Tools # 2 09-13-2017, 04:52 PM Henryk Gold member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,355 Thanks: 108 Thanked 81 Times in 59 Posts Quote: Originally Posted by Golf-Tinker Anyone know how the homeless in Ocala National Forest fared with Irma? You must be a moron, to write crap like this.The Forest like any place else in this world has crime, but then if you look into Ocala, well there crime rate is much higher.So whats the difference?Nothing, nada. The "Iceman" also known as Otzi, a frozen 5300 year old man found in the Italian Alps in 1991 was murdered by people. Maybe you need to read my comment several times so you can get it! The volunteers also made contact with homeless people on State Road 200, Northeast 14th Street, at a restaurant in Silver Springs, and in multiple spots in Belleview, along Interstate 75 and in. There's an easy lesson here: young women shouldn't go hiking alone in a huge, unpoliced forest with a reputation for being sketchy.Truth is that girls seek it out, though, as determinedly as Calhoun's rats in the "behavioral sink". stop to get gas but it's not really a place you want to stay at. My friends car got stuck right before nightfall, and we basically set up camp in the road till his friend came and helped out. Alan Jones and Matt Leibfried with Marion County were part of the count team. Charles Sumner Wesley II, 72, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1967 . Just since I moved here a couple years ago there have been several girls murdered and more than a couple people who have vanished or been brutalized out there. Ive hiked entire days and never seen a single human. Just since I moved here a couple years ago there have been several girls murdered and more than a couple people who have vanished or been brutalized out there. There are alot of thieves and the people you gotta stay away from are clearly meth addict. Have you had any bad experiences there? Years ago it was a fun family area to camp near and around the large lake and now people are terrified to even go near it. ABSOLUTELY!!! Visit? At that point we decided we did not want to be seen and no longer walked with our lights on. This is true if you stick to the rest areas on public frigging highways! Unless there are facts to back up these unknown murders or acts of violence then it is called, "shooting the breeze". Thats when the freaks come out. Feel safe. Always a place to beware of some creep turning into a thrill killer, now we have the Mexican drug cartel's hitmen useing this place for a dumping ground. Great up close views of naturea great place to go! They brew up gallons of meth out there daily. I love the peacefulness and the wildlife but the forest is extremely creepy at night. Thank you for sharing your story. I have hit the floor as AK 47s go off in the parking lot next door. I was looking more towards the direction of Umatilla, Lake Yale, Lake Dorr ,Altoona cant remember other towns. I agree with you. It gives one a false sense of confidence. I guess I've been lucky as the only strange people I've met were visitors from the cities. And it never hurts to have a gun. One bad experience can traumatize a person for life, right? Do not leave valuables in site. They brew up gallons of meth out there daily. @Beck Thank you so much for your comment. Sometimes we could hear their voices. Anywhere you go its gunna be like that forest or the city when you meet a random person you instantly put yourself in fight or flight mode. Ive encountered rainbow people who came out of the forest looking completely rugged and smelling like piss, but they simply nodded and continued on their way. Just camped out there a few weeks ago. Not that what has been said in this blog did not happen---and many a time I look around and wonder just how many bodies are buried out here, and will never be found. They will not rest until we all hate and distrust each other and think law enforcement will save us. I carry a gun in the forest because some of the animals are dangerous, from snakes up to humans ,and now I've never met one to cause me trouble. I grew up going to Blue sink as a kid. Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More, Location: Schaumburg, IL - Chicago suburb - TV Wannabee. Its nearly 400,000 acres are located in Lake, Marion, and . And do it now. Its doesnt matter if they happen elsewhere in cities, or wherever. Yes, crime happens everywhere, but National Forests.ALL National Forest are very common. It wasn't particularly unusual to hear shots in the forest at night but when I read the news you can imagine the chills that rose from my core. !And if you see a group of pretty young college girls and wonder if's safe for them to be out camping. you think theyre going to do it in walmart lmao.very interesting to read, thanks for posting it. Hog Valley was akin to Mexico. My husband had camped out there in the past and asked me if I wanted to camp there. So few to make humanity look bad:). Most the people have a good heart.mean crazy people suck. And those pretty young girls, yea, daddy taught'em to shoot when they were little, and one of them is fixing to put 2 in your chest. City leaders say the decision was made as a result of a recent stabbing there, as well as reports of drug sales and abuse. Its a shame people are allowed to abuse it the way they do. "IES has been trying to help," Thomas said, but right now he just needs a "safe place" to get out of the cold rain at night. I will likely visit at some point but I could never move there. He came out of the woods along the Hopkins Prairie outskirts trail and looked like the epitome of a criminal. Ocala National Forest's Lake Delancy West Camping 10. Content, Design and Layout may not be reproduced, The Villages, Florida, Non Villages Discussion, People Living in The Ocala National Forest. ocala national forest cannibals. Of course it is true of any large wooded area not yet ruined by the government and regulated by the criminals known as police. We decided to stop there for the night since it was almost sunset, and then we would hike the remaining 6 miles to Clearwater Lake the next morning. The park is closed for several hours daily because IES does not have the funds for paid security around the clock. We have been able to hire four staff members," she wrote. Not a place to run out of gas, forget AAA out here. So you and I can type whatever our pretty little hearts desire! They said you will be fine. I would never suggest anyone go hiking camping Etc without some sort of protection and preferably in groups. They only search so long and then they throw in the towel. Just do not do it on my property. Homes for sale in National Ocala Forest Campsites, Ocala, FL have a median listing home price of $38,500. Humans, on the other hand, present false facades quite frequently. In the front basket, there were several heavy, sharp, and/or blunt tools such as a tire iron and a crowbar. Here's hoping you have a long and happy life but a lot of us morons will not go back there.Robert A. My dad was born and raised in the Forest and I fished there for years and years and loved it. Yes, that is our attitude. Not it this lifetime! Always loved the area. The Springs and Lakes, are some of the most beautiful places I know of. It is also illegal to make your own trail with a jeep or 4 wheel drive vehicle, anywhere in the forest. Such as with the DC shooing rampage-at their Naval shipyard, just this week. Altonna and Alexander Springs are a couple examples. With that said, I have never been threatened by the potentially dangerous wildlife of the area. Not so much these days oh, because I do believe there are more but curious individuals roaming the woods then ever. Ocala has plenty of golf, tennis and other activities, but its natural attractions are among the most unique in Florida. I am in Law enforcement. hes absolutely right, forests and parks are places bad things happen because the chance of them getting caught is slim because there isn't a lot of traffic. Who will you depend on to save your ass if you need help? Ocala is the arm pit f Florida! There are gators and bears and when sick or hungry can be a threat. I've hiked and camped in the ONF for over 25 years. Wake up. Just remember you need a vehicle that will not break down. I have seen hunters "spotlighting" from their trucks on forest roads but none of these things mean violence towards humans is occurring. I just personally like the serenity of being alone surrounded by Nature. They are not safe, and the comparison to city life is not even a reasonable argument. If thats ok by you then ok. Come prepared.Now we are seeing the more extreme killings. My family loves to come to our home for gatherings and family outings. Those that put down our home we call the national forest, which I've lived here for 40 years. Safest place in the world as long as you know what you are doing and you know how to protect yourself. Hot, isolated and large areas of uninhabited scrub-land. (except until only recently). Now we are just 2 miles from Clearwater Lake when we are approaching another dirt road, and notice a flashlight moving towards us, ON THE TRAIL! We got off the Trail and went into the recently burned area and hid behind some bushes. Demon, be gone! And if you want to live in a crime free place, you might as well die now because the only place your going to find that is in heaven. So I glanced at the contents of the baskets in the front and the back of the bike. Our friend does a great deal of work helping the homeless in the area. I don't believe the author is a moronjust writing about instances. My heart goes out to you :'( Did she know anyone in Ocklawaha? It is so sad that this is the case. If you come up missing and the police are even nice enough to search for you your lucky! He could of turned out to be crazy, or he might of thought we were. A random truck came down the road and saw us. Or serial killers. To the thieves, meth lab makers and murderers, I would show you no mercy if I find you first in the forest. Ive had a more life threatening encounter driving down Parramore street near downtown Orlando in the broad daylight than hiking the forest at night. The park also haslimited daytime hours. If you feel its safe, despite evidence of crime and illegal activities, so be it. Unique features such as gin-clear freshwater springs, massive sinkholes and one of the longest explored . Leibfried said he interviewed about 12 people around the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park and Tuscawilla Park on Wednesday. We left our RV at in the managers parking lot (for a fee) at Clearwater Lake because we were told not to park overnight at the Florida Trail trailhead, due to reports of vandalism there.We decided to hike past the campground at Alexander Springs since it was full and it was still early in the afternoon. I would suggest people make that decision for themselves. Violence happens in wilderness areas because there is no one around to witness it. Because when I was younger I did walk in their shoes to. Think about it. In nearly 30 years of hiking, day and night, in ONF I have never run across a bunch of drunk guys shooting guns on the Florida Trail. So we Weren't to worried. However, the contents of this article are all wrongChristy was last seen by her sister, got out of her sisters car and into the the Chrysler New Yorker with Billy Jo Ashton. I've encountered bears, rattlesnakes, alligators, coyotes, and even found big-cat tracks that were significantly larger than any bobcat I've ever seen. Neither did I say anything about carrying guns. Again not uncommon in any place one would live. We received $135,000in the July 2020-June 2021 grant cycle," Rodriguez stated in an email. They like bad boys who give them drugs - their fault - better luck next life. So sick of the government and media playing us all like a bunch of lemmings. So if the forest is dangerous, or any, look to law enforcement as the possible criminal component. This is MY opinion. We do the rest. Lots of Pretty deer. he never even saw the man. Thats how they are able to murder. https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/mar/25/guns-protection-national-rifle-association. I don't care what they do and their own homes or on the properties where they live. Reason, 66, said setbacks including his wife's stroke and admission to a nursing home were factors in him becoming homeless about five years ago. But most want to be left alone. "Services provided are Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) Homeless Prevention (HP) and Street Outreach. Its a scary thing to see a kid no more than 12 or 13 walking down the dirt paths packing semi automatic rifles and hiding in the tree's carrying guns that you usually only see in the movies. Then they started moving again, shining lights into the woods. So, yes, the Guardian statement holds factual, documentable truths. I do carry a firearm but have only had to use it for wildlife that became aggressive toward me. Now we have almost 8 billion. Ocala National Forest is one of the three national forests in Florida and is a hotspot and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers with a passion for nature and wildlife! Once I came across a naked hiker near Farles Prairie. Zero.I have lived out here for over 25 years. They shoot the animals just to have something to shoot at and leave the carcass behind for the vultures. I have been going for 25 years . After his murder they tried to dump his body in the Forest. Its full of "rainbow people" doing what cults do. 5 Reports of Strange Creatures; Crawlers, Flying Humanoids, Monsters, Panthers and Wild Apes.