Property Description
The wood framed, seasonal hunting camp on this property was built in 1999 atop of treated power pole piers using full dimension, rough cut lumber. It is a sturdy, two story structure with ~1,426 sf of living space. Both levels have open floor plans. The exterior is sided with pine board and batten and the roofing is painted steel. The walls and roof are well insulated but the floor is not. A large porch allows family and friends to gather outdoors when the weather is fair to enjoy the sounds and sites of the hardwood forest that surrounds them. It is off the grid and in the woods. Propane gas lanterns provide light at night, however modern conveniences can be ‘plugged in’ as it is wired for a 120 volt generator. There is no water or septic and there is an outhouse. A roof rain water collection and storage system provides an ample amount of water for dishes, cleaning and showers during the camping or hunting season. Heat is provided by a local, Amish made wood stove. Vehicular access is from the seasonally maintained portion of the Ames Road, ~150 yards past the plow turn around location, through a gate and across a 1 acre field and food plot, where deer are commonly sighted.
The property is mostly covered with hardwood forest. It was last harvested about 25 years ago. It is predominately in a pole stage of development, but hundreds of small and medium size sawtimber trees are scattered throughout the property. Major tree species include sugar and red maple, basswood, black cherry, red and white oak, elm, beech, ash, yellow and gray birch and hickory. A small, year ‘round stream flows diagonally across the property from northeast to southwest, through beaver ponds and meadows, on its journey to the Oswegatchie River. Granite ridges define the terrain and seem to present the biggest challenge to traversing the property by atv. I grew up hunting mostly deer, grouse and waterfowl in this region and have always been fascinated by the ‘untamed’ character of this area. Deer, bear, coyote, bobcat, turkey, grouse and snowshoe hare are all native to these woods and the annual deer hunt is usually successful.
The bonus of owning this property is its proximity to the 4,316 acre Wolf Lake State Forest which virtually expands your recreational acreage by this amount. The State borders the parcel on the northern and western boundaries. Not only does it expand the owners hunting range, with 3 good size lakes (Huckleberry, Wolf and Moon) it offers some great hiking, snowshoeing, trapping, primitive camping and bass fishing opportunities.
Another option for fishing and boating would be the Oswegatchie River which is visible south of the Ames Road near the property’s entrance.
The mineral talc was first discovered in this area in the 1870’s and two or three exploratory pits, a mine shaft and portion of a quarry can be found on the property just west of the driveway to the camp. As a precaution to unknowing parties that may be inspecting the property, the mine shaft has been identified with orange flagging.
The owner currently owns and pays property taxes on the mineral rights for the larger parcel (148.4 acres) and the current holder of those rights on the smaller parcel (21.4 acres) is unknown.
It may take the average hunter or outdoor enthusiast a lifetime to explore all the back country available to them from this location…but can you imagine the stories they would tell and how much fun it would be?
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