At that point we decided we did not want to be seen and no longer walked with our lights on. Most the people have a good heart.mean crazy people suck. Not judging the people that live in those. I have read that line for 60 years. Who will you depend on to save your ass if you need help? The city is so enormous, and with millions of people, the chances are very small that anything will ever happen. An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 people live within the forest's borders about 40 . I have seen hunters "spotlighting" from their trucks on forest roads but none of these things mean violence towards humans is occurring. Altonna and Alexander Springs are a couple examples. We camped near salt springs close to lake George. I have always been very well armed and if I feel threatened I will kill you. I walk out my back door and I am in the Forest. In my 40 years of Living out here and growing up out here, I have had few issues definitely had to run off meth heads from dealing outside my property fence for many years. Lol your crazy! Two transient men were charged with. They shoot the animals just to have something to shoot at and leave the carcass behind for the vultures. A random truck came down the road and saw us. I believe that is what you want. Blue You never know who is reading our comments, it can be a murder. Odd comments, such as yours, are to taken lightly. Does that make you feel good? 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. Get a map and plan your journeys. I checked back with the clerk the next day to make sure he was safe. You are a coward, who just wants to commit very bad crimes? I have also run across vehicles that are homes to some unfortunate persons. When I walked out of the store, I noticed the bike but he wasnt standing there. Alexander Springs Campground 3. wow, what an angered response to someone reporting facts. Been here fore years. Visited 2 winters ago and made a point to go through, and hike in, the forest. My observations into what I consider the ONF is that I have run across several tent cities. Then to top it off you have people of all ages from probably 12 to 80 carrying guns and hunting the poor wildlife out there. Urban Woodswalker, thanks for your comments. ocala national forest cannibals. My family loves to come to our home for gatherings and family outings. The biggest. Luve is in denial and probably one of those less desirable creators in the forest that cause other's property to grow legs.Anyway, thanks for posting this, now I know I better carry my gun on me when I visit ONC next time. I did run into an old woman hiking alone along the Ocklawaha River. I don't know, but many different groups of Villagers contribute school supplies and P.J.s and bedding to them all of the time and toys at Christmas too. This took about 20 minutes. Volunteers from the City of Ocala and Marion County combed downtown streets and rural backwoods last week to interview and count homeless people living on the street, in camps, or under bridges as part of the annual HUD-required Point In Time count. Save for a select few that do not work day to day around LEO's or the criminals the are responsible for catching. Relax, it's fine. It is a haul for groceries unless there has been a store opened that area. Humans, on the other hand, present false facades quite frequently. It covers 607 square miles of northern Florida. See you seen. David Thomas, 62, said his vehicle broke down and he hasn't been getting the side work he used to get. Talk Of The Villages, Copyright 2020. We do the rest. That would have been 3300 BC. It's full of addicts. Hog Valley was akin to Mexico. Not even the dumbest serial killer or murderer would dump a body in the middle of Ocala, or any other well lit place.But, the forest is more than just a place for social deviants to dump bodies. 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. So kudos to you and keep on writing about this amazing stuff.Sincerely, Dev Peznickel. It is a beautiful place to live, come for hunting (animals), and for recreational purposes. Charles Sumner Wesley II, 72, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1967 . It was also a rough place. And theres alot of them. One of the homeless people counted Thursday afternoon was Ocala native Charles Reason. We found a remodeled 1965 block home on a .6-acre oak-shaded lot in the Forest Corners area, about halfway between Juniper and Silver Springs on the western edge of Big Scrub, aka the Ocala National Forest at 673 square miles the world's largest sand pine scrub forest. The point Im trying to make is that if you LOOK for evidence to support the claim that the forest is dangerous, you will be able to find it. so to all who feel afraid of "The Forest" relax and enjoy it don't fear it. Along the same lines, individuals who are in possession of a gun may increase their risk of gun assault by entering dangerous environments that they would have normally avoided. I hear guns going off in the forests near my home too, and I am thinking what animal is being illegally poached, or what human is being killed? It now includes 79,000 acres. Stop denying it. I feel much safer out in the forest at night than in my local city, it's not even close. Black bears are very dangerous. You asked that those committing murders leave the bodies around to be found. you think theyre going to do it in walmart lmao.very interesting to read, thanks for posting it. Ive had a more life threatening encounter driving down Parramore street near downtown Orlando in the broad daylight than hiking the forest at night. Ocala has adopted harsh policing policies and earned notoriety for the way it criminalizes homelessness. The killings and body disposals are unfortunate but, in the larger picture, they are rare. There are ways to get involved if you're interested. Location: Tamarind Grove/Monpazier, France. The mega city is usually quickyou are shot and you die. What used to be a fishermans paradise and a hunters delight has been despoiled. They only search so long and then they throw in the towel. Again not uncommon in any place one would live. There isnt much there. In addition to human safety I am concerned for the protection of the wildlife I hope they have no hunting zones or something out there. Great post. Now, the comments above calling the author names and using a very tired old argument that its safe in the woods, or that there is crime everywhere are plain stupid. Im sure hundreds of people have read this article.And to those who dont like Its called Freedom of speech. Anything can happen anywhere. Has there been any recent news of missing or murders? Really? I grew up going to Blue sink as a kid. The animals are dangerous but rarely attack humans unless threatened. I live in the Ocala National Forest. To deny that murders do happen in wilderness areas, and national forestsas some folks do here in the commentsis just plain ridiculously naive. Zero.I have lived out here for over 25 years. Our site was in front of a family ned Crawford's from Jacksonville. I've never been to Florida but almost everyone I know has. Big Bass Campground 9. We were 200 yards from the road and 50 yards from the trail, out of sight. I grew up in it and spend days, nights, and weekends riding the logging trails on my horse and camping . We do not expect to hike at night (trip and falls, wildlife encounters as well as human encounters all happen in the dark night). This is not the place to learn how to drive through deep sand or mud. Keep to yourself and youll be fine. Good day, Sir. I had never thought about it until that moment, but I was actually terrified to see a human being. We dont need people like you saying the crap that you said in your stupid blog. The car did not belong to Christy, it belonged to Ashton or his mother (not sure) and was not found in the forest by Wildcat Lake It was found in the driveway of his mothers home. The people live in towns and cities where there is no crime or rough people and where there are alot of police to protect them from country folk. You should have reported him to the police that night. Tell friends where you are going and when you will be back. But harmless. You don't. It's true though, when you're out there in the wild, you feel a complete sense of peace and tranquility amonst life in its purest form. Oh and its really sad people are poluting, killing, using and making drugs in this beautiful area. The Ocala National Forest (fs.usda.gov/ocala) campgrounds are pet-friendly, provided pets remain on leashes at all times, both around campsites and on hiking . Hey Dave, I'm sure that was not a fun experience at all. You don't carry the kinds of high powered automatic rifles they carry to hunt for sport. How do you know the FBI has actually got you under surveillance? Rodman Campground 7. 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. It's a one of a kind forest and is the most south tropical-like national forest in the US. They came to you on a boat ramp looking for a few bucks and you sent them on there way.Stay in Ocala, Please for our safety and yours. It has definitely gotten out of hand. Hot, isolated and large areas of uninhabited scrub-land. But you can never tell who is just someone having a good time or a predator. Nunerous crime cases have been reopened over the last 100 yrs because of csmpers, and hunters coming across skeletal bones or decomposed bodies. To the angry person that got offended over FACTSSTOP AND ALLOW OTHER'S TO SPEAK. They will not rest until we all hate and distrust each other and think law enforcement will save us. It is the only park in Florida that actually runs in the black not the red. My heart goes out to the victims but its like Most of yal said its dangerous everywhere. This comment has been removed by the author. Please dont bother coming back here, We dont need people like you sullying up the place.You just assume that the people who accosted you are from the forest but when in reality they were most likely people passing through and down on there luck. 3 bds; 2 ba; 1,672 sqft - House for sale. Has anyone had any crazy experiences out there? I was surprised at all the folks here who go night hiking in the National forest. Wow, I can't help but think of the texas chainsaw massacre movies when reading an these comments. . This is my sanctuary. found your site while reading about missing 411 cases, the only one that sounds like it could be one is the one about the little boy, except the moms lawyer contradicting her story.thank you for the information, my husband and i stay in other sweetwater cabin every year and sometimes it's very spooky there. Mobile home14.4 mi to Ocala National Forest. Project SOS has now benefited 81 youngsters with approximately $160,000 in scholarships, according to Kadow. And its also funny that someone commented that there are more bodies hidden here than anywhere in the US, when there is zero evidence to substantiate that claim and considering that there are much bigger and more remote forests in the US, that wouldnt even make sense. Great blog! A Great Place To Get Away!! When I passed nearby , I did not notice any persons, but you could tell they were being used. Those of us they have grown up out here understand the rules of the forest mind yours and ill mind mine Overall we do love are Rural Life. All Ocala National Forest campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnic areas. It is a very beautiful place. Now you have to park and walk to it.There are lots of jeep trails as well as 4 wheeler trails. he never even saw the man. Map Directions Satellite Photo Map fs.usda.gov Wikivoyage Wikipedia Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain. It is also illegal to make your own trail with a jeep or 4 wheel drive vehicle, anywhere in the forest. Please enable WebGL or use a browser that supports it to view the maps. I understand the local drunken parties (though absolutely hate them), but what is with shooting guns at night? yes but Not alone in the woods. The Ocala National Forest, established in 1908, is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi and covers 673 sq. You know, the one that says, "The body was found in a wooded area." about a hundred times or more all over the world, not just in the forest.ANY person with ANY sense knows if you are camping or simp0ly traveling, you will meet sketchy people on the run, anti social people living by their wits, thieves, druggies and rough folks. I don't actually know, and I know little about those folk. I guess the very fact that the climate is tolerable to be outdoors if you have to year around draws people with no homes. Now we have almost 8 billion. Hunting by spotlight at night is illegal. My only point is that I choose not to go back there because of what I experienced. I honestly do not understand night hiking in this place, nor any woods anywhere. I'm glad you enjoy it and hope you never face what I did. If I knew when I bought this place about all that goes on here would I choose to live here again? Doesnt mean I havent experienced any weirdness though. Ive been to Hidden Pond a hundred times. Urban woodswalker I stated what I wished for! That self defense line doesnt always go well in a court of law. WebGL support is required to display maps on Recreation.gov. The scenic beauty of the Ocala National Forest's 400,000 acres of wilderness draws nearly 3 million visitors a year, making it one of the most-visited national forests east of the. 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. Its also a very dangerous deadly place. I am a professional in the business world, and love the peace and quiet out here. Shanty Pond Campground 8. There are homeless people and criminals living out there in tents and homemade huts. All the people are so defensive and say what a perfect place the Forest is and how people are just paranoid but they always make sure to say they themselves are well armed always when they go to the Forest. I definitely would not go out and walk the trails without my gun. I don't believe the author is a moronjust writing about instances. Just remember you need a vehicle that will not break down. STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PARTNERS I don't care what they do and their own homes or on the properties where they live. So sick of the government and media playing us all like a bunch of lemmings. What northern Florida lacks in the glitz and glamour of the south, it more than makes up for in natural, rugged beauty. alone (and I am a female). One can still be outnumbered. Reason was pleased to see the counters speaking with people around the Interfaith Emergency Services complex in the 400 block of Northwest Second Street, where he was interviewed by Brittian Schulz with Marion County. 4 wheelers are restricted to certain areas. Cops are dangerous, often psychos get hired and they stay in their jobs committing crimes against citizens whether good or bad ones left and right, lying all the time, making things up. And be sure not to leave food in your area at night. I for one am extremely grateful for the author and this article. Alternatively, an individual may bring a gun to an otherwise gun-free conflict only to have that gun wrested away and turned on them." Below is a NCS video with another encounter in Ocala National Forest where the witness had to narrowly avoid hitting a long-haired chimp-like creature in their vehicle. I've been taking the forest for granted as my safe haven to escape from society and get away for some "me time" photographing wildlife and hiking. I guess we are the only place in the entire world that has crime..Are you a moron? They can reapply for money to finish education if they maintain good grades. On colder nights, people are referred to the Salvation Army. The beauty of the place is all being destroyed by people leaving trash everywhere. City leaders say the decision was made as a result of a recent stabbing there, as well as reports of drug sales and abuse. I would believe the population living there is at least 45,000 but the true homeless people living there is a very small % of that. Yes I agree there is crime everywhere in the world and in the United States. . It is happening in YOUR forest too. I have hit the floor as AK 47s go off in the parking lot next door. They said you will be fine. SOME OF OUR SPONSORS Ocala Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is part of the Ocala National Forest, the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River. At that time the world population was between 7 and 14 MILLION. The springs are a lot of fun for swimming and canoeing. Sheltered persons and the number of available beds was also to be part of the count, according to officials. 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. But I must say when you post information from the Guardian that says you are more likely to be shot if you have a gun, along with the other anecdotal evidence that supposedly proves their point, you are doing a serious disservice to people that may be considering getting a firearm.I'm sure you can find plenty of people in your field that disagree with that notion. I found it ironic that one of the commenters says to look at the problems law enforcement has had to deal with there when the blogger that mentioned two girls that disappeared there (didn't read on who else she said did specifically) were of something like 9 other girls that went missing there and were murdered by, guess what, a serial killing police officer, a "leo" they like to call themselves these days. They cook meth back there. https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/mar/25/guns-protection-national-rifle-association. The night immediately prior to the Boatman murders, I was in the Forest in the same area, Juniper Springs and hiking at night in an area where I had observed lots of bear activity. We appreciate any help but please get the facts straight. I and my family have never come across any of the evil that has been reported in this blog. Folkes had land here when I was a child. If you hang around fish you come up smelling like one. For more information on the Ocala National Forest pet policy please call the Lake George District Ranger Office at 352-625-2520. 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. Yes it is like the wild west, and you have to think that way. .your statement is a total missgood luck with that! Not saying they are gonna hurt you. 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