THE ROADS TO HOODOO LAKE
(Page 2 of 7)
January/February 1971
By George Bumpus
The shores of many of the lakes 25 miles and farther north of Prince George are available for 20-year renewable Crown Lease. The main drawback here is the size of the parcels: 100 foot frontage by 300 feet deep. A property must be surveyed—this may cost $200 or more—before a lease is granted and the cost of the lease is then $40.00 a year and $25.00 for annual taxes.
RELATED CONTENT
It is also possible to lease up to 5 acres of Crown Land (other than lake frontage) for a homesite. The land so available is not generally considered suitable for agricultural purposes but such tracts are definite homestead possibilities if part of the five acres is arable.
Back tax land may present an even better opportunity. Land is auctioned off for unpaid taxes each October (usually about the 15th of the month) throughout the province. The description, amount owed and date of auction of each tract is always listed in the October 16th issue of the B. C. Gazette. The publication is available for 25 cents the third week in September from Queens Printer, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B. C. The taxes owing on 160 acres are often $100.00 or less and a lucky bidder may not have to pay much more than that, although bids usually go higher.
The hangup with buying back tax land is the one year waiting period before ownership of the acreage is actually transferred to the successful bidder. The year, of course, gives the previous owner time to pay his taxes plus costs. If he does make payment, the bidder's money is returned and he is still without property. It's a gamble, but if time and the tying up of money is not too important it's probably a worthwhile gamble.
Private purchase is the simplest (and most expensive) way to obtain land in the area. The expense, however, is relative and parcels of 100 or more acres can often be found for as little as $35.00 an acre. Small tracts are correspondingly more expensive but, still, I knew of a 2-acre piece a few months ago—seven miles east of Prince George—covered with trees and with a creek running through the back. The owner was asking only $500.00.
CHOOSE YOUR HOMESTEAD CAREFULLY
I've come to the conclusion that, whether they know it or not, a huge chunk of land is not necessarily what most of today's homesteaders are looking for. Ten well-chosen acres can usually give you everything you want. One acre is plenty for a homesite and large vegetable garden and a few fruit trees. Three acres can grow more hay than you'll need for a couple of horses and either a goat or cow. The remaining six acres can supply firewood. The only real advantage of a larger spread is assured seclusion if your homesite is located near the center of the property.
A large acreage is certainly impressive but other factors—such as water availability, condition of the soil and drainage are very important in the success of a homestead. I know one young couple from Vancouver that recently purchased 160 badly burned-over acres that won't grow weeds, let alone a vegetable garden, without a lot of work and fertilizer. Surprisingly, they are not as discouraged as they could be . . . but 10 fertile acres would have made them a much better buy.
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