Because I will most likely make sure you are one of those bodies that is found in the forest. It covers 607 square miles of northern Florida. There are approximately 45,000 people live within the borders of the Ocala National Forest, the second oldest and second largest forest in the United States, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Show me one place where you are 100% safeOne story you have not heard about here---is one where someone has gone totally bonkers and randomly killed mass people. Charles Sumner Wesley II, 72, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1967 . Unique features such as gin-clear freshwater springs, massive sinkholes and one of the longest explored . Great blog! This is not the place to learn how to drive through deep sand or mud. Photo: Ianare, CC BY-SA 3.0. Ive been going to rainbow gatherings since i was 16 40 now. For more information on the Ocala National Forest pet policy please call the Lake George District Ranger Office at 352-625-2520. People are just paranoid and freak out about 1 incident. There are gators and bears and when sick or hungry can be a threat. Does that make you feel good? Talk Of The Villages, Copyright 2020. Relax, it's fine. You don't carry the kinds of high powered automatic rifles they carry to hunt for sport. The funding has helped us set up a new ministry at Interfaith called our Homeless Services Team. Human nature hasn't changed. Has anyone had any crazy experiences out there? I'm glad I read this article and the following comments. Sleeps 42 bedrooms. Not pack it all up and head back into town.So The Forest is a great place to live. About 4 miles south of Alexander Springs we came across a cleared spot that had a campfire area and some logs for sitting. If you know what to look for, wild animals are very predictable. She has been homeless for about five years because of "poor choices.". Clearwater Lake Campground, 24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767. To the thieves, meth lab makers and murderers, I would show you no mercy if I find you first in the forest. He could of turned out to be crazy, or he might of thought we were. Sure, it could happen, but it could happen anywhere. I think there is danger lurking among the shadows in lots of areas of the Forest although there are, of course, lots of places to enjoy. I have lived in a mega city where there is gang violence in certain areas, I have worked and lived in those areas. 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. If I were a murderer in the area, I would look for a big, un-policed, wooded area to dump the body. There was recently a girl that came up missing after walking away from a house in the Forest. STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PARTNERS After his murder they tried to dump his body in the Forest. Im sure your place is beautiful but danger is all around. So I glanced at the contents of the baskets in the front and the back of the bike. According to the National Forest Service, Ocala National Forest has more than 600 lakes where visitors can see many wild birds, alligators and manatees, and even black bears in this remote area of the state. I am an old, white, tax paying, voting lady with a college degree, a job and a home. He came out of the woods along the Hopkins Prairie outskirts trail and looked like the epitome of a criminal. It is a beautiful place to live, come for hunting (animals), and for recreational purposes. She recently sold her property because she is done with FL as a place to live. so to all who feel afraid of "The Forest" relax and enjoy it don't fear it. Because you are a coward and afraid to come clean, admit to an heinous crime. "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. 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. Durhamsaid on a recent cold night the facility took in 34 people. Those who prepare now with solar panels and composting toilets, etc., will stand a better chance of not going to jail or otherwise being fined, feed or taxed into the poor house for trying to live what remains of the American dream. It was next to a narrow, 2 rut vehicle trail. You'd think the normal reaction would be, 'thanks for the head's up! I doubt few would do that intentionally. The religious agencies bringing blankets, water, food, clothing and medicine to more than 3,000 homeless people who annually gather in the Ocala National Forest. I don't care what they do and their own homes or on the properties where they live. Alternatively, an individual may bring a gun to an otherwise gun-free conflict only to have that gun wrested away and turned on them." So sick of the government and media playing us all like a bunch of lemmings. You don't carry the kinds of high powered automatic rifles they carry to hunt for sport. Wondering where they are! Serial killers have raped and murdered and hidden bodies there. He walked about six miles from Juniper Springs. My heart goes out to you :'( Did she know anyone in Ocklawaha? One can still not be calm enough to assess the situation, and act correctly. Never approach bear cubs!! There are even a couple good restaurants out there. Unknown, of course. So if the forest is dangerous, or any, look to law enforcement as the possible criminal component. 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. This forest has nourished my soul. I feel much safer out in the forest at night than in my local city, it's not even close. I wont do that anywhere. Considering the forest is 673 sq miles, I think a body count of 12 in 42 years is extremely low. We got off the Trail and went into the recently burned area and hid behind some bushes. Alan Jones and Matt Leibfried with Marion County were part of the count team. I definitely would not go out and walk the trails without my gun. Such as with the DC shooing rampage-at their Naval shipyard, just this week. Today I went out to the Ocala Natl. The four wheelers tear up the foot paths and take away any peace and quiet you might be trying to get. So you and I can type whatever our pretty little hearts desire! In the front basket, there were several heavy, sharp, and/or blunt tools such as a tire iron and a crowbar. 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. He said it's "hard to find housing. It tells about a few of the problems law enforcement has had in the Forest. Have seen the bad n the good of people. Just wonder what they do to get by. Go ahead and tempt fate, play with fire. Unknown, Salt Springs is a nice area. Electrical power outlets are available, and a portable bathroom is on site. It will not taunt criminals or coax the owners into brazen displays of their firearms. Thanks for the great story. Idk the area.Good luck unknown and keep protection near by. Of course it is true of any large wooded area not yet ruined by the government and regulated by the criminals known as police. Have never felt unsafe and the only thing I carry is a knife. I searched the trail for tracks and never found any. The scariest thing I have ever encountered in the forest was a man. 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. The Ocala National Forrwst has more bodies burried in it then almost anywhere in the US. It now includes 79,000 acres. This is my sanctuary. Forest where Larry (Frank) Dugger was shot and killed while attending a Rainbow Gathering. you think theyre going to do it in walmart lmao.very interesting to read, thanks for posting it. The author is just telling the stories of the ppl killed or missing in the forest. Familiarity with criminal behavior does not make one a criminal. Never to be seen again.It's a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful place to see. Its a magical place. Many people who live here in The Villages have kind and generous hearts. I pray you and your sick mind will burn in hell, and your soul will rot in eternity; never to reincarnate again on a peaceful planet! 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.". Its full of "rainbow people" doing what cults do. 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. Perhaps you are in a smaller rural town and have never experienced situations like this, but I assure you these are common occurrences. They are not safe, and the comparison to city life is not even a reasonable argument. Why don't you get the Police involved with your statements of Murder in the Forest?! Those that put down our home we call the national forest, which I've lived here for 40 years. They make no sense. An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 people live within the forest's borders about 40 . It's beautiful with all the springs and everything God Bless all. You don't. He had crazy-looking eyes, wearing a hoodie, and dirty clothes. Most times that Ive met fellow hikers they were super friendly. Lisa Marie, Some of us work in law enforcement, or in the justice system in a mental health or criminologist capacity. Urban Woodswalker, night hiking is common in warmer areas for obvious reasons. Pay attention to whats going on around you at all times. Only peace. Yes I agree there is crime everywhere in the world and in the United States. There are 20 active homes for sale in National Ocala Forest Campsites, Ocala, FL. I get the chills just thinking about it. Though I do agree with the distaste toward the rainbow people they are filthy dirty, and need to wake up and get in rehab and get a job and stop infesting the damn walmart in silver springs begging for things. That seems to me, a recipe for extreme danger. 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. This is MY opinion. You cannot ignore these thingsunless you are policing the smallest rural town, and dont watch national news. I am out there at least 30 nights a year. Hog Valley was akin to Mexico. This took about 20 minutes. And it never hurts to have a gun. Wow, I can't help but think of the texas chainsaw massacre movies when reading an these comments. I've never been to Florida but almost everyone I know has. Woods, forest, lakes these are all places people have used in the the past to do bad things and hide stuff so yes, arm yourself. True---The ONF is probably an excellent place to commit murder or dump a body. There are Deputy Sheriffs at many of the springs. I believe that is what you want. Or domestic violence issues involving guns. 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