| National Parks Traveler

This is the best way to go about this problem we have in the park, let the volunteer hunters in. I think Jeanie and others that think hunting is such a terrible thing need to stop being such hippy-liberals and pick up a gun and go hunting! If you think poor Bambi is being shot by hunters your pathetic because hunting is nothing like killing a poor little baby deer.

Reader Participation Day: Should Rangers Cite, or Merely Warn, Visitors For Their Wrongs?

Jul 8th - 20:48pm | Connie Hopkins

The incident I referred to in my earlier response was actually with Grizzly Giant tree. My husband was up at the overlook preparing to take my picture while I was down by the tree. The Father had his family climb over the fence to stand against the tree. I politely told them that the signs showed that wasn't allowed and the father began arguing with me. I told him,

Jul 8th - 19:05pm | Rick Smith

As a former protection ranger, often now called law enforcement rangers, I always opted for the lowest level of law enforcement activity that would produce the desired result, i.e. compliance with the regulation or rule.

Jul 8th - 16:32pm | RangerLady

@ Connie,

Jul 8th - 16:15pm | y_p_w

Connie Hopkins:

Jul 8th - 15:46pm | Connie Hopkins

By nature I am a rule follower and have a strong sense of justice when others deem themselves above the laws that apply to the rest of us!! I WOULD NOT make a good park Ranger because I would in all liklihood be sarcastic with law breakers! I have seen visitors walking across thermal areas at Yellowstone where it is clearly marked with the universal hiking bootprint with the slash through it.

Jul 8th - 13:45pm | Betty H

When the National Parks rules are broken, the offenders should be fined !!! The fines should stay in that National Park and help pay for more rangers.

Jul 7th - 23:10pm | y_p_w

Of course part of the difficulty is the differences in animal behaviors at different NPS units and what the regulations are that deal with them.

Jul 7th - 19:22pm | Nancy

Cite!!! Hefty fines may begin to make people think twice. So few people want to take responsibility for their actions. Perhaps if there were more citations given and more policing done, there would be less dead wildlife in our parks. Speeding kills bears just as lethally as feeding them--or making your food accessible to them.

Jul 7th - 18:47pm | Cornell

Depends on the seriousness of the situation and how much of a problem there is with this infraction at a specific location.

Jul 7th - 14:50pm | yosemitedawn

Hitting peoples pocketbooks seems to be the only real way to get their attention. Talking to them, giving them literature to read. . .reminding several times, none of it seems to work.

Jul 7th - 12:39pm | onebigtree

Walk softly and carry a big stick!

Jul 7th - 12:07pm | Anonymous

We are a nation of laws. Let the Rangers enforce them with a citation and a fine !

Jul 7th - 10:54am | Benjamin Lord

Law enforcement has become very sophisticated in the national parks in recent times. Law enforcement park rangers and the U.S. Park Police appreciate the value of education, but often know that a citation works best for clear violations. Consistency, fairness, and tactful delivery by these personnel have made courtesy tags and ignoring lawbreakers a thing of the past. Ben Lord

Jul 7th - 10:29am | OnDaRoad

I completely agree with those that say unless you hit the pocket book they aren't going to get it. As a Yellowstone CG worker, we educated folks with signs, bear talks, had them sign they understood about not leaving food out, and posted it on the picnic tables at the campsites, yet people still left food, coolers, dog food and all sorts of other things out.

Jul 7th - 10:01am | Gaelyn

Education should come first, but some people only seem to get it, and hopefully learn, when cited. As an Interpretive Ranger I can't give tickets so always try to explain to visitors why certain "rules" are in place and that usually works. But I'd have no problem getting on the radio for LE backup if someone wanted to obnoxiously challenge my authority.

Jul 7th - 09:45am | Laura

I think that rangers should take a firm stance on any and all violations they see - no matter how large or small the violation. While people talk about common sense, it's time to realize that common sense is not common at all.

Jul 7th - 09:36am | Jan

I fully agree with Anonymous. Until you hit these morons deep in their pocketbooks they will never get the message. I also opt for repeat offenders losing the privilege of using our beautiful National Parks.

Jul 7th - 09:17am | thenaturenurd

As a state park police officer for the state of Texas...my answer is it depends. For most minor violations like speeding, littering, etc. its all on them. If I can make contact with them and get them to correct the action then they will get a warning (verbal or sometimes written). However, if their attitude is "How dare you question or stop me..." then they get a citation.

Jul 7th - 09:02am | RangerLady

This is a tough one because it is sometimes simple ignorance. When I was a child I went to Shenandoah to feed the deer. I didn't know any better because it was allowed every where else, including the Naitonal Zoo. It makes sense that the same mentality would be brought to the parks. I didn't learn that I was actually killing the deer until I was in college. The education just wasn't there.

Trails I've Hiked: Anthony Creek Trail to Spence Field in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jul 8th - 14:58pm | Anonymous

The last time I visited Spence Field, I lay in the grass while my hiking buddies went on up Rocky Top, a crest just shy of Thunderhead. So very refreshing. During the fall, when views tend to be best, expect many busy bees wishing to share or at least investigate your lunch.

Jul 8th - 07:40am | Smoky Mtn Hiker

Kurt - great write-up. This is probably one of the most underrated hikes in the park, and one of my most favorites. If hikers still have the energy after arriving at Spence, continue walking eastward along the Appalachian Trail for another 1.2 miles to reach Rocky Top - the first "peak" on Thunderhead Mountain. The views up there are some of the best in the Park. Jeff

Jul 8th - 06:25am | Will

Some 20 years ago I took my 14 year-old daughter and her friend for what I had remembered as a leisurely climb to Rocky Top and Thunderhead. My middle-aged body was worn to a frazzle by the time we returned to Cades Cove after an "epic hike". Yes, it's a beautiful and demanding hike, but not for the faint of heart.

Odds and Ends from Around the National Park System

Jul 8th - 11:31am | Kurt Repanshek

I like your tenacity, Anonymous, but I'd venture that if you asked a roomful of folks whether they'd prefer to own a piece of land entirely surrounded by a national park, or one abutted by golf courses, putt-putt, etc, they'd choose the former. Perhaps we've got the foundation here for a future Reader Participation Day question!

Jul 8th - 10:55am | Anonymous

Kurt-

Jul 8th - 10:46am | Lee Dalton

Ooops! But he does have an almost entirely ********** legislature, doesn't he?

Jul 7th - 12:29pm | Ron

Wyoming owns the land because of the US land survey. When the federal government surveyed the west one square mile of land in each section was set aside for local government purposes. It could be used to build schools, public building, etc... If you live rurally, each of these sections are sometimes called a township where there is no city government.

Jul 7th - 12:25pm | Kurt Repanshek

Jenn, no argument here re the governor's obligation to maximize returns. Although, as far as funding education, Wyoming is reaping incredible tax revenues from oil and gas development.

Jul 7th - 11:48am | Anonymous

Kurt-

Jul 7th - 11:06am | MikeD

Kurt - so does WY own the land in question? And I assume the Valles Caldera would remain a national preserve?

Jul 7th - 10:36am | Jenn Grover

It makes sense that the NPS should buy the land and if they are not willing to pay fair market value, it seems clear that the governor is obligated to sell it per the state constitution. Whether you agree with the wording in the constitution is quite another issue altogether.

Jul 7th - 10:13am | Rap

Either way, I'd hate to see the Traveler forums devolve into the kind of Republicants vs Democants debates we all see on yahoo...

National Park Roadtrip 2010: On the Oregon Trail

Jul 8th - 10:02am | Beth Carmichael...

Hi to both of you! I hope that all is going well on your travels on "The Trail"! I found this article and thought you might find it interesting! Safe Travels! Beth http://www.marysvilleonline.net/articles/2010/07/07/news/doc4c34f03ac810...

Historians Don't Want Casino Next To Gettysburg National Military Park

Jul 8th - 07:18am | BR

To quote President Lincoln, Gettysburg is "a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live". And, "we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

National Park Road Trip 2010: Into Nebraska on the Oregon Trail

Jul 7th - 19:20pm | Patricia Young

Would you by any chance be the Eugene E. Nelms having a son named Matt, having worked for Montgomery Engineering, having lived in San Diego?

A Section of the Appalachian Trail Designed for Wheelchair Access Opens in Vermont

Jul 7th - 18:40pm | Karen

I was looking on line for accessible trails and found a site where it says there are only about 3 miles of accessible miles out of the 2,178 miles of the Appalachian trail. Our son had the misfortune of being born disabled and has spent 17 years in a wheelchair. During the years my husband was in the military we lived in a variety of states and did a lot of exploring.

Wolverine Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park

Jul 7th - 14:21pm | Sarah McCall

I saw an animal that looks like this when hiking up Flattop Mountain on July 3, 2010 in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was on the hillside up above the treeline, sheltering in some rocks. I wasn't able to get a picture.

How many of us have the courage of Elouise Cobell?

Jul 7th - 13:41pm | Thomas M. Wabnum

In response to your article, “How many of us have the courage of Elouise Cobell? I am a Prairie Band Potawatomi, IIM Accountholder and from a Nation that has the most treaties with the U.S. that continuously tries to terminate us.

Jul 7th - 11:36am | Lee Dalton

We need more people like Mrs. Cobell!

National Park Mystery Spot 13: Flickering Forever

Jul 7th - 12:16pm | Kurt Repanshek

Matt, you've nailed it. Professor Bob will elucidate further on his riddle tomorrow.

Jul 7th - 10:42am | Matt Wolf

http://www.nps.gov/malu/planyourvisit/the_king_center.htm The King Center Eternal Flame.

Jul 7th - 10:27am | Kurt Repanshek

Eric, while that might be, the solution can't be found in the photo. The riddle points to the answer.

Jul 7th - 10:14am | Eric

This is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.

National Park Mystery Plant 9: Can You Put Them Together?

Jul 7th - 10:56am | Holliday

It's the English Ivy... Right?

Regulatory Landscape For Guns to Change in National Parks on February 22

Jul 7th - 10:11am | Anonymous

I absolutely applaud this new law for carrying firearms and let me explain myself. The bad guys will have guns regardless. This new law will allow law abiding citizens a means to defend themselves. More importantly, even nobody legally carries firearms in the park, the new law has a great deterrence effect.

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jul 7th - 09:20am | dave

Bears are scarce. Humans are not, to the point of converting the entire wild biomass of Earth into more humans. Bears are more precious and valuable than humans. Humans who think their lives are more precious than the last remaining grizzlies should stay home in bed. Why do you think human lives, given that there are billions and billions of us, are more valuable than that of grizzlies?

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