Off Grid Homesteading

[Halifax Tar]

A friend of mine runs a propane toilet 24/7. Works quite well for them.

Incinerator? Been looking at those. Interesting things.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Unfortunately no. Goon spoon and land mine tape is most of my bush experience.

Told they have significantly improved in recent years but would need to research things to be up to date. We tend to haul the holiday trailer out for overnight trips so haven't had to go down that route yet.

I've been told by the better half the current set up however needs an improvement so guess that's a summer task

A nice outhouse on skids is an option. When the hole fills up, dig a new one and slide it over. Just be aware of a outhouse near a well.

 

[dapaterson]

Found a Reddit discussion that may be of interest.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OntarioRealEstate/comments/1svwkek/comment/oirv4h8

 

[daftandbarmy]

Found a Reddit discussion that may be of interest.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OntarioRealEstate/comments/1svwkek/comment/oirv4h8

One caution: People who lived next to Crown Land might find one day that all the trees that were there last week are gone now

 

[foresterab]

One caution: People who lived next to Crown Land might find one day that all the trees that were there last week are gone now

Ah yes....NIMBY strikes again. I don't care if it's crown land you can't do X activity because it will affect my land/view/trails...

But it is a real issue. There also will not be fire breaks normally cut around private land on the crown land so some of the natural disaster type situations become much more intense.

You also can't keep people from using the land immediately beside your private land as it's public. Big concern for some rural residents here who don't want new theft routes developed to access their lands...

 

[Halifax Tar]

One caution: People who lived next to Crown Land might find one day that all the trees that were there last week are gone now

That just makes it easier to see the deer as they browse

 

[daftandbarmy]

That just makes it easier to see the deer as they browse

You are an 'edge predator'!

 

[Halifax Tar]

You are an 'edge predator'!

I follow my prey And I try to put myself in positions to make the easiest ethical kill.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Ah yes....NIMBY strikes again. I don't care if it's crown land you can't do X activity because it will affect my land/view/trails...

But it is a real issue. There also will not be fire breaks normally cut around private land on the crown land so some of the natural disaster type situations become much more intense.

You also can't keep people from using the land immediately beside your private land as it's public. Big concern for some rural residents here who don't want new theft routes developed to access their lands...

Hard to keep people from using your land even if it is private. Depending on where your located it can be a real nightmare as there are plenty of people who don’t care that it’s your private property and know you can’t really do that much about it.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Hard to keep people from using your land even if it is private. Depending on where your located it can be a real nightmare as there are plenty of people who don’t care that it’s your private property and know you can’t really do that much about it.

Lots place to disappear... He was a troubled soul officer... He wandered off that way days ago... I swear...

 

[OldSolduer]

That just makes it easier to see the deer as they browse

Clearing fields of fire is a priority when occupying a defensive position

 

[foresterab]

Lots place to disappear... He was a troubled soul officer... He wandered off that way days ago... I swear...

Old man years ago was at a BnB....talked about rural crime. Long pause and then their host said..."we used to have a problem until he went for a drive with a few concerned citizens..."

Hate to say it but amazed it doesn't happen more often. Know showing up in uniform on some properties it's not unheard of to see the shotgun/rifle there for unwanted company. Never have an issue due to the very clear role I play but something always in the back of the mind.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Old man years ago was at a BnB....talked about rural crime. Long pause and then their host said..."we used to have a problem until he went for a drive with a few concerned citizens..."

Hate to say it but amazed it doesn't happen more often. Know showing up in uniform on some properties it's not unheard of to see the shotgun/rifle there for unwanted company. Never have an issue due to the very clear role I play but something always in the back of the mind.

Are you a LEO ?

 

[lenaitch]

Old man years ago was at a BnB....talked about rural crime. Long pause and then their host said..."we used to have a problem until he went for a drive with a few concerned citizens..."

Hate to say it but amazed it doesn't happen more often. Know showing up in uniform on some properties it's not unheard of to see the shotgun/rifle there for unwanted company. Never have an issue due to the very clear role I play but something always in the back of the mind.

Hopefully, as a society we've matured beyond vigilantism. 'Oh, you meant that Bob. My bad'.

It probably doesn't happen more often because most people have decent moral compasses.

Before someone brings up US-style 'castle laws', the rules for protecting your dwelling and family differ from protecting your property.

 

[captloadie]

Getting back on the homesteading track, wrt firebreaks, and fire prevention management, are your new digs in an area prone to fires? I'm always torn between the advice of clearing so much of the forest to keep your dwelling safe, vs. some sort of watering/wetting system so you can still feel like your in the forest.

 

[Genetk44]

Getting back on the homesteading track, wrt firebreaks, and fire prevention management, are your new digs in an area prone to fires? I'm always torn between the advice of clearing so much of the forest to keep your dwelling safe, vs. some sort of watering/wetting system so you can still feel like your in the forest.

I recall after the huge fires that burned down most of Lahaina Hawaii and a good portion of Los Angeles a few years ago that a post fire study discovered an interesting commonality in virtually all the homes that survived the fires while those around them completely burned. Obviously the materials the roof and walls are constructed of and sheathed with are of primary importance along with fire breaks and water/wetting system but none of the houses that survived had any type of shrubbery, grass, trees or even exposed soil within 3-5 meters of the building foundation. They all had either stone, concrete or a good depth of gravel providing a non-combustable groundcover barrier 3-5 meters extending out from their foundations. Just saying.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Old man years ago was at a BnB....talked about rural crime. Long pause and then their host said..."we used to have a problem until he went for a drive with a few concerned citizens..."

Hate to say it but amazed it doesn't happen more often. Know showing up in uniform on some properties it's not unheard of to see the shotgun/rifle there for unwanted company. Never have an issue due to the very clear role I play but something always in the back of the mind.

I saw that commenrcial!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2050334720693850524

 

[Halifax Tar]

Getting back on the homesteading track, wrt firebreaks, and fire prevention management, are your new digs in an area prone to fires? I'm always torn between the advice of clearing so much of the forest to keep your dwelling safe, vs. some sort of watering/wetting system so you can still feel like your in the forest.

Not that I am aware of. Most of the ground around me is wet and soggy. As well there Christmas tree farms all over.

But fires can happen anywhere I suppose... It's def a risk...

 

[foresterab]

I recall after the huge fires that burned down most of Lahaina Hawaii and a good portion of Los Angeles a few years ago that a post fire study discovered an interesting commonality in virtually all the homes that survived the fires while those around them completely burned. Obviously the materials the roof and walls are constructed of and sheathed with are of primary importance along with fire breaks and water/wetting system but none of the houses that survived had any type of shrubbery, grass, trees or even exposed soil within 3-5 meters of the building foundation. They all had either stone, concrete or a good depth of gravel providing a non-combustable groundcover barrier 3-5 meters extending out from their foundations. Just saying.

There's a similar report from Fort Mac in 2016. If your house was in the shade of black spruce tree most lost their home. Those that survived tended to be interior neighborhood homes sheltered from the embers coming from the forest.

Two big fire hazards...direct flame contact which is where the fuel free zone around the house is so critical and the ember transport which is why they emphasize non-flammable roofing materials and not storing things like firewood on your deck. I see some gorgeous rural properties tucked directly under trees with cedar shake roofs and just think..."no chance of saving this one". Still going to try but very low odds.