Last Weekend

[Dean Harrison]

We had a trip planned for last Weekend that was hampered by a local resident protesting over us being there. He complained to PWL and Police and did all he could to block us. The first group was set to arrive on the Friday and the next on Saturday, however due to threats and uncertainty, the Saturday crew unfortunately had to be canceled. It was risky enough ignoring the threats on the Friday with a small amount of people due to the fact that he said that the authorities will be waiting for us.

Not long after we first arrived, Joe, Leasey and myself were sorting through gear in the back in Lissa's Rav, when I saw a large black figure walking down the track. As I was trying to make out what it was, Joe said "What is that? I think its the farmer..."

It then wandered off through the forest. From what I saw, it wasn't the farmer, but something else. It was very large and jet back. We walked down to the location, but it had disappeared.

Later that night, we headed into town to pick up Buck and his brother Marc. It looked better if we only had one car in the forest. The Police arrived during the unloading of Bucks car into ours, and asked what we were doing. Buck replied "Heading off to a few bush locations to shoot some footage for a Documentary".

We returned to our location at 9pm.

Buck and Marc were set up in a different area to us in case the Rangers arrived. The law states that we were allowed to be there, but not in a group and certainly not for the entire night, as there is no camping allowed - period. Their other concerns included the extreme fire danger because it was so exceptionally dry and had temps in the high 30's, plus they had issues with arsonists in the area. Concerns were also raised regarding hot car exhausts on dry grass sparking fire.

The night went by with NTR. It was very quiet.

At 3am, because we couldn't be seen to have stayed out there all the night, Joe, Lease and myself drove out so we could be optically seen by the farmer leaving. We sat down the road for an hour and then returned, as 4am produced daylight. Buck and Marc were already up and out hiking.

By 9am the temp was already past 30C. Buck and Marc went for another hike, while we searched for a decent place to lay camp away from anywhere obvious, as not to be seen.

Buck and Marc found a very mysterious path in the forest that did not resemble a typical game trail. It was regularly used and the plan was to sleep there that night. We heard a 4WD near our camp and went back to investigate after it left.

By 11am, the temps were in the high 30's and the heat was taking its toll on everyone. By 2pm was extremely uncomfortable. Joe was beginning to feel ill, while Marc and Lease had enough. Then a 4WD approached. It was the ranger! Busted....

Apparently the Police had been out looking for us because they noticed that Bucks car was still there the next morning and they were concerned that they may have been lost or worse. The ranger said that it was he that had been to our camp that morning, but couldn't find us.

That was pretty much the end of the Weekend for us. I think everyone was rather relieved! A few hours later there was a massive storm.

So for the Saturday people - lucky we didn't stick to the original plan! It wouldn't have happened regardless. Next time we will make sure that the Weather won't be quite as harsh and we have the relevant permits.

If nothing else, we had a good time and enjoyed each others company.

Below are a few random pics from the Weekend.....

DMH

[topender]

Nice article

can i ask were the locals upset by you being there because they were trying to protect yowie or for other reason??

Us top end folk were also out on the weekend, as soon as i can figure out how to load photos on forum i will report.

cheers

[Dean Harrison]

Besides having an obvious lack of social skills, exhibiting poor behavior, a narcissistic personality and lack of personal hygiene, his main bone of contention is the fire risk. He runs cattle and is fearful his livelihood will go up in flames. If he were a reasonable individual, we would have been happy to strike a compromise, however his apparent lack of intellect didn't grant him the ability to hold a civil conversation, therefore we were put in a position where we were forced to make our own rules. I would have much preferred an amicable resolution.

DMH

[Jo Blose]

There's not much I can add to that, Dean! We had a great day and a half and the temperature certainly got the better of me. Temperature the following day in that region was 41 degrees in the shade at it''s peak and higher in the sun.

As stated, upon our arrival, something large and black appeared on the roadway some two hundred metres in front of us where the roadway dipped forward. I actually thought it was the farmer, but then it seemed to drop down as it moved across the road and off into the bush to the side. I remember thinking whatever it was had a big round head and was large, but I didn''t see a snout. My vision of it was partly obscured by the dip of the road, so I only saw the upper half. As Dean says, it was jet black like a silhouette. It''s of particular interest because as I stated in an earlier thread, some months ago, upon my approach to this exact spot, (also in the late afternoon but well before dusk) I had observed a human like figure moving quickly away from the road into the bush and disappear. That human like figure was also jet black like a silhouette. Unfortunately, Lasso was getting something from within the car at the time and didn''t see it. Very interesting.

As for having a group of people there, it is my firm belief any application for a camping permit of any number at that spot at that time, would have been knocked back due to the extreme fire dangers. The Ranger made it clear that was where the concerns lay. There''s nothing more I can say about the farmer that hasn''t already been said! Buck and Marc were great sports throughout! Some very funny moments!!!

[Yowie88]

Great read indeed.

It was very bl....dy hot last weekend. Had an early tee off time at a Gold Coast golf club and landed myself
(apart from a nice collection of bogies and lost balls) a nasty case of heat stroke.

Do you recon the farmer knows something that he does not want anyone to find out about.

[Dion]

Do you recon the farmer knows something that he does not want anyone to find out about.

I don't think so I just think he was grumpy!

[Jo Blose]

It has come to my attention some of the circumstances and events of this weekend need clarifying.

Dean and I had been in discussions with the local Forestry department for that area beforehand, and even on the day. They knew we were going to be there, and gave us very strict instructions concerning the fire hazard conditions. The local Police also knew we were going to be there. Dean had made a courtesy call to the farmer beforehand and the farmer has feared for the worst due to the area we were going to, being nearby to the farmer's land. The farmer over-reacted on the phone. The Ranger and Police came out to check on our welfare mainly because conditions became unexpectedly extreme on the Saturday, and they were concerned. A bushfire had erupted in the vicinity of a nearby town, which the bush fire brigade was battling. At no time did we encroach on the farmer's land, or infer we would.

To be one less concern to the authorities, we heeded their advice, and promptly left, as a lightning storm rolled in. We were not breaking any laws being there, and unlike previous occasions, made every reasonable attempt to ensure we were abiding by Forestry Plantation regulations and being as considerate as possible to the farmer. A group is defined as six and up, which would have required a permit being issued, defining activities, restrictions, evacuation plans, garbage removal, camping, etc. The description of that farmer by Dean, is unfortunately accurate. He was not well within his rights to be so unreasonable. He was even informed there would be an off-duty Police Officer present at all times, which there was, and we have each met him face to face at different times. The fact is thousands of responsible people drive and trek through and near dry bush all the time, not causing fires. This farmer''s overzealous attitude towards the nearby forestry land, time and time again, with fire hazard and without, raises our suspicions.

As for the jet black figure walking down the road, I saw it the same moment Dean did, and I thought at first it was the farmer, approaching us for a confrontation. We'd only just pulled up and alighted from the vehicle after passing the very bemused farmer a couple of kilometres earlier, so it being the farmer was a very real possibility. The farmer was not on our, to be filmed list, thus we didn't automatically reach for the cameras and video cameras. It wasn't until we realised it's size as it dropped down, that we realised we weren't looking at the farmer at all, and then it was gone! Not the first time I've seen a jet black humanoid figure there either, and for the record, it doesn't bother me in the slightest who may not believe me. As for the stick stack find I came across, it reminded me instantly of similar structures I had seen in the bush around Hazelbrook NSW. It made for a nice photo opportunity!

[Yowie88]

Hi Joe;

I know the sighting of the black figure lasted only seconds; but did you discern its shape to be more human like (thin build)
or broader in appearance (thick, stocker build like the big guy).

Is it at all possible to be involved in a future expedition.

[Stainmaster]

well done guys great read

[SAB 8]

It makes me wonder if its actually worth notifying people. You have obviously done the right and safe thing by letting relevant people know about your activities but look at the harrassment you guys had to deal with.

Maybe it would be easier just to sneak in there and keep a low profile?

Some farmers feel that any government land (or roads for that matter) nearby their property are simply extensions of their own property and no one has the right to be on it. A few years ago I did a trip deep into a remote part of Guy Fawkes River NP and was using a reasonably recent map which indicated that the PUBLIC ROAD I was travelling on linked up with another remote section of the park I wanted to have a look at. This PUBLIC ROAD passed through a property and I eventually hit a dodgy wire fence near the property owners homestead which blocked the road. Obviously not used to visitors the property owner came out to see who it was. I got out and asked him about the road being blocked. He informed me that it was a private road (even though there had been no signs whatsoever to indicate this) and that there was no access through! I showed him my map which indicated that this was a public road and he basically just gave me the run around sticking to the theme that the road was part of the property!!! I was somewhat annoyed (to put it politely) at this as the only other option to get to where I wanted to go was a 3 hour or so round trip. When I got home I was going to chase it up with Forestry`s and National Park authorities but in the end I just let it go and put it in the to hard basket! This road was clearly marked as a public road with no fences blocking its path. I`m certain that this guy was breaking the law. In hindsight I should have followed it up but at the time I just couldn`t be bothered.

I`ve also heard similar stories from trail bike riders of property owners fencing off public roads. Makes me wonder what they have on or nearby their properties which is so important to hide? hhmmmmm.

[Jo Blose]

Thanks for your input, SAB 8! It certainly seems that some country folk like to take it upon themselves to do whatever they please. Psychologically, this could in part be due to these people living in isolated areas, where they are geographically distanced from people who enforce regulations and laws. On the same token, they do need to be vigilant and proactive, because emergency services and people able to render assistance, aren't close by.

If the farmer in the situation as outlined by Dean, isn't protecting illegal crops, then the question is why is he so over-protective? When I suggested to him one day, the concept of yowies, he took offence that I was pulling the piss, big time! If looks could kill, I would be a dead man right now! So, I don't think he's consciously protecting a clan of yowies out there! Subconsciously it may be a different story though! The only other thing I can think of, is he's running cattle in areas he's not supposed to be, and doesn't want to get caught (areas where the grass is greener and richer), or has had trouble with cattle rustlers (which I doubt!). Perhaps he's just allergic to people he doesn't know and doesn''t want to know!

[flashtimmy]

if you can prove that you arnt n the farmers land then you can be there.
the police wont charge you with trespassing if you find illegal activity, i have goin through this before.
also if there is no fence or signs meaning its private property you can walk on to it and plea dumb.
yes im only 17, but if you know the law then your fine.

cheers, tim

[lil foot]

It makes me wonder if its actually worth notifying people. You have obviously done the right and safe thing by letting relevant people know about your activities but look at the harrassment you guys had to deal with.

Maybe it would be easier just to sneak in there and keep a low profile?

Some farmers feel that any government land (or roads for that matter) nearby their property are simply extensions of their own property and no one has the right to be on it. A few years ago I did a trip deep into a remote part of Guy Fawkes River NP and was using a reasonably recent map which indicated that the PUBLIC ROAD I was travelling on linked up with another remote section of the park I wanted to have a look at. This PUBLIC ROAD passed through a property and I eventually hit a dodgy wire fence near the property owners homestead which blocked the road. Obviously not used to visitors the property owner came out to see who it was. I got out and asked him about the road being blocked. He informed me that it was a private road (even though there had been no signs whatsoever to indicate this) and that there was no access through! I showed him my map which indicated that this was a public road and he basically just gave me the run around sticking to the theme that the road was part of the property!!! I was somewhat annoyed (to put it politely) at this as the only other option to get to where I wanted to go was a 3 hour or so round trip. When I got home I was going to chase it up with Forestry`s and National Park authorities but in the end I just let it go and put it in the to hard basket! This road was clearly marked as a public road with no fences blocking its path. I`m certain that this guy was breaking the law. In hindsight I should have followed it up but at the time I just couldn`t be bothered.

I`ve also heard similar stories from trail bike riders of property owners fencing off public roads. Makes me wonder what they have on or nearby their properties which is so important to hide? hhmmmmm.

what, elvis, mull crops or yowies????

[SAB 8]

what, elvis, mull crops or yowies????

All of the above... plus Santa! It is Christmas after all!