Model hammock camping legislation

[jdonuts]

I am relatively new to the forum but I have taken a liking to hammock camping and have been very active in the outdoors since I was a toddler. I love the fifty state project that hammock forums has put together. I find it a tragedy that some states have banned hammock camping.

I am an attorney by day and a weekend warrior outdoorsman as often as I can. I live in Ohio which appears to be from all of my research a hammock friendly state. But it is scary to think that that could change at anytime or vary from situation to situation.

Can anyone tell me if anyone on this site has considered or created some model legislation that we could use to advocate our position. It seems like this would be a great place to put together something to give to politicians and policy makers to help keep them from doing the wrong thing when it comes to hammocks.

I know it sounds crazy, but what about licensing hangers? Parks are always the first to get screwed in budget cuts and are constantly looking for new sources of money. I know it's not popular to charge for stuff we already do for free but it's often the only way to get the right people to even listen. Maybe use fishing licenses as a model. It would certainly force people to be aware of the right and wrong ways of doing things.

It seems nuts that we would have to advocate for zero trace camping, especially when places are being destroyed left and right (Kinzua anyone?) with fracking in my neck of the woods. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but with the way hammock camping is catching on its only a matter of time before the inevitable regulations.

Thoughts?

[Gnarrkills]

That's an interesting thought, however it also makes me think that if you start talking legislation, you might inspire more states to ban it. Then I will end up being an "Outlaw Hanger". At least there's plenty of DIY guys that can use their thread injectors to make us all biker vests!

[sargevining]

Yah. A license to camp in the woods. That's what we need.

[jdonuts]

That's an interesting thought, however it also makes me think that if you start talking legislation, you might inspire more states to ban it. Then I will end up being an "Outlaw Hanger". At least there's plenty of DIY guys that can use their thread injectors to make us all biker vests!

I am definitely of the opinion if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But usually by the time this stuff comes up its too late or just a mad scramble to figure out support/plans and by then it's almost too late. Better to have it in your back pocket should the situation arise or even use it in those states that have already banned the practice to "test the waters" so to speak.

[jdonuts]

Yah. A license to camp in the woods. That's what we need.

Like is said, not popular. I don't like paying to fish or hunt either, or for access to parks, or for a drivers license. I think different states have different ideas concerning conservation. It's certainly not a one size fits all thing. I appreciate the feedback though. I guess the point was to be prepared with ideas.

[Dead Man]

That's an interesting thought, however it also makes me think that if you start talking legislation, you might inspire more states to ban it. Then I will end up being an "Outlaw Hanger". At least there's plenty of DIY guys that can use their thread injectors to make us all biker vests!

You're only considered a 1%er if you have the three patches in play.

I see the OPs point and applaud the passion and the forward thinking. In states where it has already meet an early demise it seems to have done so through the lack of understanding or knowledge of the hammock process and best practices. While I think legislation will help ultimately; I can not help but believe that only through gaining access to and the ear of the powers that be in a given state office and educating them properly to a sympathetic mindset will we ever gain any ground in those states or any other. As they say, a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Some powers know what they know and believe what they believe, even if it is completely uninformed and completely inaccurate. The pride of politics.

[jdonuts]

After looking at the 50 state project, it is clear that certain best practices can be gleaned from that information (strap size, placement, tree size/type, length of time, etc.) I think a good start would be to amass a best practices list to consolidate view points, maybe a sticky for those "ears" who are pointed to this site. As the site is now, the info is there, it's just all over the place. Maybe have some arborist opinion links. Who do I need to talk to in terms of moderator to make this happen (or has it already happened?) I am positive a best practices list would be useful at some point.

[gfranxman]

which states are anti-hammock?

[jottoh12]

And here I thought hammocking was only banned in some state and most national parks. Are hammocks being banned in wilderness areas? BLM lands? Yikes I have been caught flat-footed. I may become a stealth-hanger. A health-stanger. Whatev...

[BrRabbit]

I would not pay any fees for camping in a hammock. I am trying generally stay away from every fee which is charged not for an actual service, but just because "we need money". I am very upset that most state forest in Wisconsin prohibit camping anywhere but the designated (and therefore overcrowded) campsites and then want to charge me a fee for the campsite and a fee for its reservation. But at least, we have a couple of federal forests. And toughness of the law is usually compensated by lack of its enforcement.

So, if you want to start a national campaign, I would seek to be inclusive all kinds of outdoorsmen and ask for "Freedom to Roam" kind of thing (as in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam)...