You can see the problem. Each illegal cabin sends the message, "Stay away from this cabin and the immediate area" If there are illegal cabins scattered through the bush, you will have to thread your way carefully to avoid feeling as if you have trespassed.

On Crown land, no one should have to feel as if they are trespassing in someone's back yard. And there are quite a few illegal cabins out there.

The second problem is access. Building materials are sometimes brought to the site by helicopter or snowmobile, both leave no marks on the forest floor. But illegal cabins are often serviced by ATV or horse trails cut through standing timber, both methods can leave permanent habitat damage, felled timber or ruts.

Once a new trail is opened, other ATV drivers follow and often the trail is extended to new ground which increases the damage. See the article on ATV Muddy Trails

The last problem is litter and tree-cutting. Camp and cabin sites are often littered with unused building materials and garbage. Even if the original builder is gone, others take over and continue to add to the litter.

They will often cut trees for firewood which leaves a large "woodlot" clearing close to the cabin.