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Are We Nearing The Day When Yellowstone National Park Allows A Bison Hunt Inside Its Boundaries?

Mar 9th - 09:58am | Mack P. Bray

This issue needs to be reframed: instead of trying to control bison migration and population, we need to end the grazing of private livestock on our public lands ~ OUR National Forests and BLM lands.

Mar 9th - 09:56am | Lee Dalton

Bob has a very interesting idea: Allow hunts by Native Americans.

Mar 9th - 09:48am | MikeD

Symbolic meaning should not be what drives our conservation ethics. There is a wonderful piece in a recent Audubon Magazine called "Saddle Sores" about the impact non-native feral horses are having on the ecosystems in the western US. They are devastating, and yet those who hold up horses as symbolic are standing in the way of reasonable efforts to reduce the impact these horses are having.

Mar 9th - 09:37am | C.C.

Kill them inside the park or outside the park~what a choice! That does not solve the problem of them crossing outside of the park's boundaries in the winter looking for food. It will not stop the abuse of hazing. These wild migratory animals need a migratory corridor.

Mar 9th - 09:14am | Chris

I don't think "culling" of bison at Yellowstone is comparable to culling of elk at Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt is trying to reduce the population of elk in the park, while Yellowstone is trying to prevent bison from migrating. It can't be done. You can't "train" bison to not follow the migration routes they've followed for generations.

Mar 9th - 07:38am | Bob

It's not about brucellosis. If it were about brucellosis, we'd hear complaints about elk. If it were about brucellosis, there are all sorts of solutions we could implement right now.

Reader Participation Day: Should Costs Of Operating Special Programs In the Parks Be Shared By All?

Mar 9th - 09:47am | Lee Dalton

If it's for access by disabled or elderly, then yes, raise other fees. If it's for access by special use groups such as climbers, rafters, or others who are physically and mentally able to take on testosterone fueled adventures, then no.

Mar 9th - 09:39am | Lonesome Traveler

Why not raise fees for both? Congress's need to preserve money for bankers & bailouts leaves the NPS chronically underfunded, so why not charge fees commensurate with the quality of America's greatest?

Mar 9th - 09:24am | Marjorie

I don't mind paying extra for things such as the cave tours at Carlsbad, but I do think that money should go back into the Park, and I'm told that is not always the case.

Mar 9th - 08:21am | Deborah

I believe that the cost should be bore by the one using the facility. I wouldn't ask someone else to help me pay for, say, a mule ride in the grand canyon. If you're going to play you should be willing to pay.

Mar 9th - 06:46am | Erik

In my view the goal is to get as many people to parks as possible, raising the gate fees (or instituting one if it is currently free) is not going to get people to come and may drive some away. Special fees should be bore to those that use them. People who want to ride the mule train should pay extra and those fees fix the problems the mules have wrought.

The Columbus Day Weekend Party in Biscayne National Park: "Mardi Gras on the Water"

Mar 9th - 09:43am | Anonymous

Sure glad I am not a LE ranger there anymore. When I worked and lived there, we had to keep the peace among user groups--Florida crackers, the Miami cigarette boat crowd, and the Cuban-Americans. I wore a gun on weekends, but cannot imagine this many boats crowded into Elliott Key. What this celebration contributes to protection of a national park is a big fat zero.

Give Us A National Park, But Please, Not Its Regulations

Mar 9th - 08:57am | Ryan

Matt, what should we do? Are humans a part of nature or separate? If we are part of it, then I guess we can just let things go and let "nature take it's course", because everything we do is just part of the cycle of life. I have a hard time with this one.

Mar 9th - 07:49am | Matt Stubbs

There may be no mention in the CD, but I find it more than a coincident that is only began after the threats to close the parks. Why is it that the NPS is only reactionary to any and all change? Why do they sit on their collective rears doing nothing until they are sued?

Mar 9th - 06:18am | Southern Shores 1

"What right does the NPS have to play god because the enviros told them to in court???" Matt I believe you have misspoken again. I can find no mention of predator control in the CHNS to be any part of the “consent decree”. I know the Park does predator control with a specific purpose in mind but can find no reference that they were made to do it because of environmentalist.

Mar 8th - 22:25pm | Inquiring mind

And it's NOT their money they are willing to spend! The money is coming from those that are being eliminated from the process.

Mar 8th - 18:30pm | matt stubbs

Ryan you are correct except the NPS values a plover at approx 1 million dollars and 250 predators. What right does the NPS have to play god because the enviros told them to in court??? These Laws you speak of are killing thousands of predators, costing people livelyhoods and alienating people from the NPS. Do I think one bird, wolf or fish is worth saving? Very GOOD Question.

Mar 8th - 14:45pm | Ryan

Matt, I understand your frustration, but what are we to do? What precedent would it send to just let the plovers die off in that area? Is one bird, wolf, fish species, etc. worth saving? Or should we just sacrifice these animals in certain areas because of our "need" to recreate?

Mar 8th - 12:37pm | Matt Stubbs

Now on top of all of this you must add on the fact that these birds do not see the numbers they do today if the thousands of suspected predators had not been killed. Most people only hear that the ORV's are tearing up the beach and running over the fuzzy little plovers.

Mar 8th - 12:36pm | Southern Shores 1

“1. The Court enter a preliminary injunction enjoining all ORV driving (except for essential vehicles) in the areas identified by USGS scientists as critical for nesting waterbirds and shorebirds at Bodie Island Spit, Cape Point, South Beach, Hatteras Spit, North Ocracoke, and South Ocracoke on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Mar 8th - 11:40am | Anonymous

Anon in fact CAHA is the perfect storm.

Mar 8th - 09:34am | Matt Stubbs

Anon in fact CAHA is the perfect storm.

Mar 8th - 09:11am | Ryan

groups have demands all the time on our parks, but rarely do they get exactly what they want. The enviro's may want the beaches closed to ORV's, but the NPS would NEVER actually do that. ORV use is an acceptable form of recreation at CAHA, it was just never formalized in a plan as mandated by congress in the 70's.

Mar 8th - 08:51am | Anonymous

"I have no idea what those groups will pursue in the future however the groups you mentioned have never said or suggested either publicly or in written comments that they have a goal of, “total elimination of orv use on the Islands”. From my experience they do not. Their singular goal is the sustain viability of specific species."

Mar 8th - 07:24am | Matt Stubbs

My displeasure is with the ORV organizations that want the great majority of the recreational resource to be ORV accessible. They are the groups that will not compromise with my recreational needs.

Mar 8th - 06:55am | Southern Shores 1

Ron to answer your questions

Mar 8th - 06:24am | Matt Stubbs

I do not see any difference in making access easier in one place with permanent structures such as roads, parking lots, boardwalks, etc... and not allowing access in another that does not cause permanent damage (in fact nature recovers each day from the ruts and tracks).

National Park Mystery Photo 33: It Definitely Says "Parkitecture," But Where Is It?

Mar 9th - 08:53am | Badge529

Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone NP.

Mar 9th - 08:05am | Markk1959

In addition, it is the roof exit to go up to the top of the hotel so they can raise and lower the flags

Mar 9th - 08:02am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, we've had a few more correct answers. I suppose we could have made it a bit more difficult by asking, exactly where can you snap this photo. In the meantime, we're going to dig deeper into our photo albums for the next time.

Mar 9th - 07:55am | Marjorie

Old Faithful Lodge? When I looked him up I did not realize he had done so many buildings in National Parks. A regular Mary Colter!

Mar 9th - 07:51am | Anonymous

Old Faithful Inn Yellowstone NP

Mar 9th - 07:42am | Anonymous

Old Faithful Lodge

Mar 9th - 07:34am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, we've had three right answers, from Markk1959, Lawrence Caldwell, and Marty, but the image is not from either Lassen or Yosemite national parks. We'll keep the answer hidden so others can take a shot at it.

Mar 9th - 07:26am | Lincoln Farnum

Isn't theat door on the northern side of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite?

Mar 9th - 07:03am | Marty

Looks like the Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone

Mar 9th - 06:50am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

It could only be the Old Faithful Inn.

Mar 9th - 06:21am | Eric

I'll take a guess....the Old chalet at Lassen Lovcanic National Park

Mar 9th - 06:20am | Markk1959

That is on the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Prk

"Lost" Petroglyphs Rediscovered at Virgin Islands National Park

Mar 9th - 08:37am | Dave McDaniel

Congratulations to Ken Wild and the Friends of the Park volunteers who found it. This is wonderful and exciting news. We appreciate the work both he and the volunteers do especially in light of this historic find. Hats off to you all.

Eastern National Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of National Parks Passport With Special Edition

Mar 8th - 18:23pm | Anonymous

I've mixed feelings about the Passport - on the whole they are good if they record memories of meaningful experiences in out National Parks - on the other hand we have also created a generation of park visitors some of whom believe that the only reason to visit a park is to get that darned cancellation stamp.

Mar 8th - 14:03pm | Stephen

I purchased one back in 06 because my small one was filled. So now I have plenty of pockets to keep all my stuff organized. Plus I even get my smal passport book in it and can still zipper it up. Love this new Passport..

Kilauea Eruption Prompts Closings at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Mar 8th - 10:56am | Leonard G. Block

I looked at the video clip of the fissure and found it awesome. I have visited Hawaii on two occasions in the past and my next visit will positively include a trek to one of the volcanos. The people of Hawaii are blessed with a very powerfull aspect of nature right in their own back yard.

Mar 8th - 09:16am | DStaniforth

I got a permit and hiked the Napau Trail last October to the campsite overlooking Napau Crater, I could just see Pu'u O'o smouldering away in the distance and the trail was closed any further, seems like it's got even more active!

Should "Boot Cabin" In Big Bend National Park Be Replaced?

Mar 8th - 10:20am | MikeD

You really were more interested in this story, haha!

Climbing Community Differs With National Park Service Over Fixed Anchors In Wilderness

Mar 8th - 10:17am | Ron Saunders

Amen, Mr. Janiskee. That last sentence was a Mouthfull.

Mar 8th - 04:30am | Bob Janiskee

"Climbing community" is a useful term. It means a group of people who share a common interest in climbing and/or mountaineering.

Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, National Parks Conservation Association Oppose Bike Race At Colorado National Monument

Mar 8th - 07:32am | Anonymous

This is an interesting debate to say the least. I would hope it could remain respectful. Every person is entitled to their opinion and individually each will see it through their own lens of personal interest. There are some facts that don't seem to be making it in the dialogue. The old bike race, the Coors Classic happened in the 1980s.

Hiking all the Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mar 8th - 06:41am | Danny Bernstein

Joe, I got a lot more than a patch. I got to understand the park in detail. Yes, I could do it again. Don't tempt me!! Danny Bernstein www.hikertohiker.com

Friends Of The Smokies Working To Save Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Hemlock Trees

Mar 8th - 06:37am | Danny Bernstein

The Southern Appalachians have been subjected to several devastating blights. The chestnut blight took out the majestic chestnut trees in the 1930s. The balsam wooly adelgid made matchsticks of the balsams - go up to Clingmans Dome and see the results. And now, the hemlock wooly adelgid. But we're fighting this one.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

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.