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Are Hunters Good Wildlife Stewards When It Comes To Wolves? Not According To This Study

Aug 19th - 13:48pm | Anonymous

On the Issue of Humanity Eating better: plase read with an Open Mind: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/opinion/04pollan.html   Discusses how much public tax money is wasted subsidizing bad habits of Big Agric-Business.

Aug 19th - 13:38pm | Michele Wright

my husband is a hunter and so is my son. My family hunts for subsitance purposes only. They only take what we can eat. We do share our food with older hunters who can no longer get out and it helps with their fo...od for the winter. We donate the hides to the VA for PT sessions for vets. We say prayers over every animal killed and thank it for giving it's life so we can live.

Aug 19th - 13:00pm | Boogra

Hi Judith.  If you agree with Vincent then you are clearly as uninformed as he is.  I hunt a 380 acre area in Mississippi with five other guys.  All of us are dedicated conservationists.  We do not, in fact, kill the strongest fo the species, but instead harvest from a wide spectrum of the gene pool.  We have a 15 acre lake on the property as well and have solid rules about which sized fish we

Aug 19th - 12:25pm | Bruce Hemming

[color=#0000ff]http://idahofarmbureau.blogspot.com/2009/10/equal-access-to-justice-act.html[/color] “We tried to track the fees paid to environmental groups in certain federal courts.

Aug 19th - 11:44am | Anonymous

We totally agree with Vincent based on 55 years of observations and conversations with friends and relatives who have no integrity or ethics respecting any wildlife; they see wildlife as a moving target for killing; many western ranchers despite their alleged "Love of the Land" stories have destroyed many predators with their

Aug 19th - 10:36am | JLA

Vincent,

Aug 19th - 10:27am | Anonymous

  As wolves have expanded range and increased in number their impacts on prey species have been greater, reducing hunting opportunities. Why? Because a wolf will eat between 16-25 deer or elk from Nov. to April each and every year of its adult life. They actually eat even more large prey, but that is the standard research year because it is easier to detect wolf kills on the snow.

Aug 19th - 10:15am | Judith

Thank you Vincent. Your comment is right on the button and a great addition to this article when it comes to the facts and studies about why hunters are not good stewards for our wildlife. Hunters can deny it all they want but the evidence becomes clearer more and more.

Aug 19th - 05:38am | Vincent

Hunters are not good wildlife stewards.. period. They tend to hunt the strongest of the species resulting in bad genepools. They destroy any competition like wolves cougar bear etc resulting in overpopulation of bad gened grazers which they favor because of easier hunting.

The Million Club: National Parks That Had More Than A Million Visits in 2010

Aug 19th - 11:01am | Randy Johnson

Shenandoah—that's the one that hit me, Tony. I would have sworn that park would be a lot busier, especially due to proximity to DC. I always found Shen attractive in winter for cross country skiing and winter backpacking but recent times I've tried, road plowing hasn't been nearly as important as it once was (much less Big Meadows Lodge having a winter season--remember that?).

Aug 19th - 07:34am | Tony Ingraham

On the one hand, it's great that national parks are so popular. On the other, it's nice to see that many places that are not traditional national parks are getting heavy use. I hope the National Heritage Corridor system keeps receiving funding; and that it gets increases (cuts are more likely).

Persistent Pedestrians: Black Bears in Big Bend National Park

Aug 17th - 21:18pm | Meghan

Rick, great question! These are the same bears that are found all over North America. So adaptable are they that they live almost everywhere. Physiologically speaking, Big Bend's black bears are noticeably smaller than black bears you'd find else where eating salmon, though.

Aug 17th - 11:15am | Rick B.

Are these bears drastically evolved differently from black bears elsewhere? There are so many areas with "surplus" population that I wonder if a little transplanting would help stabilize the population? Or would bears used to salmon and ready rainfall and such just wither in the desert.

Aug 17th - 08:54am | Lee Dalton

Terrifically interesting.  I know I'll be letting my ignorance show, but I never dreamed of desert bears.  Neat!

Reader Participation Day: What's Your Solution When the Weather Doesn't Cooperate During Your Trip?

Aug 17th - 19:58pm | atwillw

There's no such thing as uncooperative weather, merely uncooperative clothing!

Aug 17th - 19:17pm | Barky

Heck, I go out in it!! Of course, sometimes with dubious results. I hiked Shenandoah trails during on-and-off driving rain. Had all my raingear, was well protected, and had a ball. That is until I needed to go back up to the road. Had a wee bit o'trouble getting up the muddy trail. I was a filthy mess when I got back.

Aug 17th - 18:20pm | Wildweather

Make "Lemonade" :).  Many times the challenges actually make the trip, if you are game.  A test (I like breakthroughs:).

Aug 17th - 17:42pm | Anonymous

We find muddy river banks and pretend we're otters.  :)

Aug 17th - 10:11am | AnonymousD

We are avid day hikers but not campers, which shapes our Park visits. We both enjoy reading, like museums, and happily chat with strangers. We also tend to plan each trip with an extra day in case we want to just hang out or do something new we came across unexpectedly.

Aug 17th - 07:54am | Anonymous

I pout and throw tantrums.

Aug 17th - 03:04am | MRC

Years ago, we had several days of constant and cold rain in Utah. For the first day, we went "underground" and visited Timpanogos Caves National Monument, the second day we went to SLC and did the "mormon tour" including some time in the genealogical records archive and we had the good luck to hear the Tabernacle Choir at a rehearsal.

National Park Road Trip 2011: Crater Lake Lodge

Aug 17th - 19:42pm | Anonymous

Welcome to Crater Lake Lodge, and we truly hope that you will correct the errors

Aug 17th - 18:40pm | Outnumbered:)

Hey Tim, I have to attest to the restroom cleanliness.  Although they were scheduled to be cleaned one morning in August I convinced the maintenance crew to wait a bit as there were  about 400 runners preparing to run the Crater Lake Marathon, Half Marathon and 6.2 mile races.  We outnumbered them, lol!  Awesome place! 

Aug 17th - 18:27pm | Timothy Mahoney

Full disclosure, my name is Timothy Mahoney and I am the current manager of the Crater Lake lodge.  I recently arrived here from Zion NP and have spent 10 years living and working in national pakrs for Xanterra and Aramark. 

Big Cypress National Preserve Officials Crafting Hunting Management Plan For Addition Lands

Aug 17th - 18:59pm | Ranger Bill

Once again the NPS has caved in to local pressure and national lobbying by folks whose idea of enjoying a resource is destroying it. While local concerns should be listened to, they shoudln't matter any more than the concerns of folks in distant places. Economic concerns shouldn't matter at all.

The Birth of the National Park Service: The Founding Years, 1913-33

Aug 17th - 18:48pm | Anonymous

  See also: Preserving the Living Past: Legacy of John C. Merriam by Stephen R. Mark, in learning J.C. Merriam's role in the early visitor educational programs of the NPS.

Billy Malone And the National Park Service Investigaton At Hubbell Trading Post

Aug 17th - 15:40pm | Dave Montalbano

Rick- appointing new people with the "new systems" is pointless and not a long term solution.  Special agents need to exist in a structure of extreme accountability.

Aug 16th - 21:38pm | Wind Change

Sorry but I thought of the Hubbell affair when I read this tonight.   http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/16/senator-blasts-atfs-reported-...

National Park Quiz 97: Ships

Aug 17th - 12:17pm | R Stefancik

(9) True. Wreck diving is allowed in Michigan's Isle Royale National Park, which has nine major sunken vessels in its waters. Scuba diving is quite dangerous there, however, due to the water's depth, cold (39-45 degrees F in some places), limited visibility, and other hazards of open water diving in Lake Superior.

Aug 17th - 10:34am | tomp2

on #7, the San Diego Maritime Museum and Cabrillo National Monument are constructing a replica of the San Salvador at Spanish Landing, just across Harbor Dr. from the airport, and about 5 miles from Cabrillo NM.  Most weekends and some weekdays you'll find CABR interpreters in their 1500s dress at the construction site.

Where Can You Enjoy The Best Wildlife Experiences In the National Park System?

Aug 17th - 08:54am | Old Zion Ranger

Wind Cave and Theodore Roosevelt NP's for bison, elk, pronghorn and mule deer.  Zion NP for big horn sheep.

Aug 17th - 08:16am | CraigBowman

prarie dogs not getting much respect ! Lots of them at Badlands NP. Mule deer and big horn sheep too.

Aug 17th - 03:06am | MRC

How about watching Gray Whales from Point Reyes NS? They can be seen occasionally from the shore.

Aug 16th - 22:45pm | Pookha

Rocky Mountain National Park not only has elk, but wonderful chipmunks (as well as other critters). Lots of fun.

Aug 16th - 13:18pm | JHawk

I would add Wind Cave for prairie dogs and Glacier Bay for humpback whales and seals.

Mennonite Women Backpacking and Bears Falling in Shenandoah National Park

Aug 17th - 06:39am | CEM

My wife and I are about to become Mennonites. We started a website with pics chronciling our journey. Please check it out and feel free to join or leave a comment. www.quiettimes.webs.com

California Woman Dies In Fall From Half Dome Cables In Yosemite National Park

Aug 17th - 01:09am | Anonymous

Half Dome should be an adventure guided by experienced climbers. It's a solution that's good for the climbers, public and Park.

Updated: Drilling Rig Disaster Could Send Oil Spill Into Gulf Islands National Seashore

Aug 17th - 00:12am | men kimono

thanks for sharing this information, i really liked this blog, hoping more from you, thank you

4-Year-old Dies in Fall off South Rim of Grand Canyon

Aug 16th - 23:50pm | men kimono

great blog.. thanks for sharing the information.... excellent blog information presented.. thank you...

Shutting Down Small-town Post Offices Could Make Things Tough For Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers

Aug 16th - 19:34pm | Tour Guide

I thru-hiked the AT last year and didn't use a post office the entire time.  I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.  The general store at Fontana Dam has everything you need to go the 3 days it takes to get to Newfound Gap where you can go into Gatlinburg.  Those who still want to mail themselves food can send packages to hotels, hostels, and other businesses along the trail.  The Northern Ou

Aug 16th - 17:50pm | Sam Stone

Poor rich hikers are losing a subsidy. Wah wah wah.

Unresolved Search-and-Rescue Cases Are Scattered Throughout the National Parks

Aug 16th - 15:13pm | John

Over the past month or so, I have been reading about the tragic loss of young Dennis Martin in the Smoky Mountains in 1969.  I have come upon this webpage through the "Websleuths" website.  While some on the "Websleuths" page who have made entries about this incident have mentioned the possability that the Martin child may have been the victim of a predator, I have seen no mention of that here.

A Springtime Visit to Denali National Park and Preserve: Is It For You?

Aug 16th - 14:39pm | Ron K Anderson

We stayed at one of the lodges there many years ago. We want to go back to Denali National Park again this year. If anybody is planning to go there again, I would definitely recommend one of those lodges. 

Public Comments Run Against Extension of Oyster Company Lease at Point Reyes National Seashore

Aug 16th - 08:36am | Keeper

"McCloskey believes that the Park Service "secretly feels very uncomfortable about administering privately leased lands." But he believes that that discomfort — or the beliefs of those who would like to see the entire seashore become "pure" wilderness — do not justify a misreading of the laws he authored."

Aug 16th - 01:07am | y_p_w

And one more: Marin Voice: History sides with oyster farm http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_18656522 Pete McCloskey served as a Republican member of the House of Representatives from 1967 to 1983. He now lives in Rumsey in Yolo County.   

Aug 15th - 23:37pm | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: Spurred by a U.S. senator determined to reverse congressional action from four decades ago......     Couldn't let this stand after recent reporting indicates that was clearly not correct.

GPS Unit Leads Couple Into Trouble Near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Aug 16th - 03:12am | alex96

Provided you can actually read a map, these publications far outshine ANY maps for these areas that I've ever tried.

Marine Wilderness at a Crossroads In Point Reyes National Seashore

Aug 16th - 00:31am | y_p_w

Just thought I might add something to an old debate..... Former legislators back Point Reyes oyster company's claims http://www.marinij.com/ci_18672190

Another Yellowstone National Park Wolf Reaches Colorado

Aug 16th - 00:24am | Anonymous

There are a LOT of sightings in Colorado, including sightings of packs, so don't say there aren't any packs there, there are even sightings in southern Co. (Mexican Wolf?)

By the Numbers: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Aug 15th - 19:45pm | Bruce

You ended up with your first love, and I with my second.  Bully for you but alas for me.  Oh well.  [wistful smile] Keep up the good work, though, and thanks!

The Essential RVing Guide

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.