Well, this looks like a good spot!

Imagine what it was like in the Wild West as people were looking for a place to settle. Shove a flag in the ground and it's yours. Well this isn't the Wild West! Today we have laws, boundaries, a process. So, what do you think a group of men with rifles were up to when they started erecting a building on New York State land?

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According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, after observing a group of men packing out heavy packs and rifles in Johnsburg, State Forest Rangers began an investigation that has been ongoing for a few months.

The Saratoga County investigation began in November of 2021 with the heavy packs and rifles observation. What followed was time spent in the woods, looking for clues as to what might be going on. One of the first things to pop up were several damaged trees.

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Going further into the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area Rangers discovered an illegal structure with equipment hidden and buried around a camp. In early February 2022, Ranger Perryman interviewed multiple subjects to complete the investigation.

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Following the investigation one Saratoga man was issued several tickets. Included were:

  • Charged with damaging trees on State land
  • Charged with storing personal property on State land
  • Charged with erecting a structure on State land

What were these men up to? Why did they think they would get away with it? We may never know the answers to these questions but now there is no doubt, you can't build on state property.

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Gallery Credit: Karolyi

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