Can you borrow a canoe you find on a back lake?, Can you borrow a canoe you find on a bac

I've got a few canoes stashed in the bush and anyone that finds one is welcome to use it. They all have a paddle with them too. I know one gets used fairly regularly but so far, its always back where I left it. I accept that it could grow legs or get damaged. If you really don't want someone using your boat, then don't leave it in the bush IMO.

I've seen and heard a few stories where boats that are chained up at back lakes had an axe head stuck through the hull. The unchained ones were left alone. Some kind of vigilante enforcement of bush etiquette I guess.

I think how you think, kinda like leaving you hunt cabin in the middle of nowhere unlocked.

I think how you think, kinda like leaving you hunt cabin in the middle of nowhere unlocked.

or kinda like leaving your ice cabin (full of ice fishing gears inside) in the middle of nowhere on a lake unlocked:-)

"Can you borrow a canoe you find on a back lake?"

NO

Unless of course you have permission from the owner, or outfitter that left it there.

If it is a life or death situation, then by all means use the other peoples private property, if it is just for your own personal convenience then - NO

Unattended boats, canoes, ice huts, cabins in the bush are not public property.

Feel the need to have use of a canoe on a back lake ? Then bring your own.

Unless of course you don't have a canoe, or a boat or an ice hut or a cabin, then gee go ahead and use anything you come across for your own personal enjoyment.

If you are leaving a canoe on a back lake are you not basically suggesting it’s available for usage. The argument take your own can also be turned around to say take yours out. How many of these are left at the back lake otherwise becoming trash? Is it possible the original has abandoned it, forgot about it, moved, or passed away? I’m sure there are a few people that would pick up a old canoe cheap, drag it to a back lake for a day or two of fishing & have no intention of hauling it back out. If someone was to leave or forget to take out pop cans we’d ALL be p***ed.

I agree completely with this.

When does the bush canoe become litter or community use? As soon as you leave it in the bush on public land.

Of course they are there for public use, respect it and put it back. Our cottage a##'n places/maintains a few among the adjoining lakes. If you want no one to touch it, take it home.