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Groups Sue Park Service Over ORV Use in Big Cypress National Preserve

Dec 26th - 09:30am | Linda O'Neal

Conservation should be predominant. Superintendant Gustin is supposed to be the person overseeing this responsibility, but it seems her responsibilitiy lies with the snowmobilers. Protecting endangered species and the environment should be the priority here. All it takes is one change and significant damage could be done.

Big Cypress National Preserve: The Latest Battleground Over ORVs in the Parks

Dec 24th - 22:41pm | erik

i have lived in south florida all my life, i'm also one of the few people born in the state i have lived and breathed both sides. people the dig holes with there tire and run into trees because they can is what hurt the area and not poeple that follow the tread lightly.

Senators' Letter to Open National Parks to Concealed Weapons

Dec 24th - 00:34am | Claire Walter

I envision scenarios of armed campground users "protecting their families, in car campgrounds in particular" who end up taking potshots at passersby on their way to the restrooms in the middle of the night. Fearing that "Folks are quite vulnerable in their tents from all kinds of derelicts," they might shoot at anything that moves.

Dec 20th - 13:04pm | Joel

I agree...ban alcohol. I think we should ban alcohol. I can't think of any reason why someone should consume alcohol while in a NP. I have been camping and hiking and hunting for over 30 years of my life and I can think of no occasion that I needed an alcoholic beverage. I have however had to scare off animals with a firearm only twice. Once while camping and once while hunting.

Dec 20th - 10:43am | Lone Hiker

I don't believe the issue at hand is driving through the parks with your weapon "neutralized", locked in a case in the trunk of your car Robert. The danger arises when people carry loaded weapons out on hikes, rafting trips, horseback rides and the like. I understand that the parks have a standing policy of "no firearms allowed".

Dec 20th - 00:48am | Gerald

You are correct, Robert. This is a law that must be changed. When folks are on vacation, especially they like to carry to protect their families, in car campgrounds in particular. Folks are quite vulnerable in their tents from all kinds of derelicts.

Dec 19th - 19:24pm | robert w mccrory

transportation across large parks is a real problem for gun owners who don't wish to break the law, and driving around parks is impossible in a lot of cases

Senators Pushing To Allow Concealed Weapons in National Parks

Dec 23rd - 16:25pm | Montana

In western Montana the locals have more brains than to go camping in Glacier Park because of the Grizzly bears and out of control people from all over the USA and only the visiting Idiots go there. The rest of us Montana’s with common sense go to other places in the mountains where we can carry guns and be safe.

Dec 23rd - 12:19pm | Joel

Probably the best point of all Merryland...here here! I guess anyone of us would be shocked if the otherside suddenly said....Gee, I never thought of it that way and then changed our minds. Merry Christmas to all.

Dec 21st - 23:42pm | Merryland

This is just the same stuff politicians dust off and put out into the public debate when they want to energize their base before an election. And we're all the bunch of idiots who fall for it every time.

Dec 21st - 09:14am | jsmacdonald

The Casper Star-Tribune has an editorial out yesterday that I think clears up some of the issues.

Dec 21st - 07:09am | Lone Hiker

Disinformation #1- You feel that a good government will always stay that way. Find me any mention of this quote in the text of my comments. You can't, because I never made this comment or inferred this opinion in any manner. At least have the decency to accurately quote my commentary.

Dec 21st - 04:59am | Fred Miller, Mi...

Have you ever visited the morgue and seen how many people were in there who had died of a drug overdose? All violent deaths are bad. We must pursue prevention. Making something illegal only makes good media coverage. It does NOT prevent illegal activity.

Dec 20th - 16:39pm | Anonymous

Let's face it folks, the NRA has held this country hostage with fear for years, and fear sells at your local gun shop. Spend some time at the city morgue and observe the dead bodies on the gurneys from gun violence. I have and it makes you puke!

Dec 20th - 15:50pm | repanshek

Just a quick note from the editors: While the give and take of comments is interesting, let's try not to stray into personal attacks, which will be edited out. Please try to stick to constructive input. Thanks.

Dec 20th - 15:40pm | Fred Miller, Mi...

This is an old, volatile issue. I go hiking to SEE the creatures of the woods, not to SHOOT the creatures of the woods. However, to wander off in the wilderness without some form of self-defense is dangerously irresponsible. You would never think of hiking without a first-aid kit or matches, would you? The same goes for other "one chance in a million" emergencies.

Dec 20th - 15:33pm | Mindee

Joel is the only one who's not making personal attacks. What he said is reality. I have 4 kids and I'm a single mom. I love to watch cops and pepper spray doesn't stop drugged out freaks. I don't care about what you want. I want my kids protected and that is why I carry my berretta .380. I can't believe you can watch a few incidents a year and think that gun violence is the norm.

Dec 20th - 15:27pm | Anonymous

I can't believe with the rate the world is falling apart with all the shootings that we have to ask permission from anyone to protect ourselves. Isn't carrying a gun that simple? I haven't owned a gun in years only becuase I can't afford it. If anything should happen they should make it easier to get one.

Dec 20th - 12:03pm | Joel

Your comment is perfect...Our original military was brought about by farmers and other common men to form a militia to overthrow its current government which had become corrupted. Our argument will continue to go in circles because you simply feel that "the people"(2nd amendment) is talking about a collection of men as 1 body (which is government, and that would be gov.

Dec 20th - 09:02am | Anonymous

Lone Hike, I totally agree with your comments which are well structured with excellent points.

Dec 20th - 06:59am | Jim

I travel to the States from the UK each year to visit your wonderful National Parks. I think I've seen about 80 or so Parks and Monuments over the course of maybe a year's travel in total. Not once have I ever felt threatened, intimidated, suspicious or otherwise alarmed by my fellow park-goers.

Dec 20th - 05:39am | MRC

Well, there is a very simple rule. You may carry a weapon in those federal areas where you are allowed to hunt. And you are not allowed to carry it, where hunting is not permitted. If you have to think twice, in which category the National Parks fall, well - congratulations - you just qualified for a seat in the Senate.

Dec 20th - 00:55am | Gerald

This is a law that is way past due being changed. Many NPS campgrounds house derelicts who overstay their allowed period and pose a reasonable risk to families. I, as well as many folk I am sure carry anyway to protect our families. Most rangers wouldn't mind good law-abiding citizens packing anyway, for to possess a concealed-carry permit one has to pass a background check.

Dec 19th - 22:13pm | Lone Hiker

Your 2nd Amendment right was originally intended to field a militia to support, as in function as, not supplant the military. When the Bill was written, the newly founded States had no national military, unlike those with whom we were warring such as France and England. We possessed no naval capability either.

Dec 19th - 19:16pm | Steve Sergeant

Perhaps this will cause a boom in the bullet-proof tent industry.

Dec 19th - 19:04pm | jr_ranger

Can someone produce some hard statistics or a study that can back up Anon's statements? It would be nice to be able to point to something specific instead of making claims without giving the source (no offense).

Dec 19th - 17:19pm | Anonymous

Well, for those of you promoting guns in national parks for safety, here's a tidbit of information for you. Success in using bear spray as a deterrant to attacks from wildlife -- 94%; success in using guns as a deterrant from wildlife attacks: 60%. Any questions?

Dec 19th - 15:19pm | Joel

It would be nice to live in a Utopian society where all the bad people stay at home and we can count on individuals to live up to the social morals we hold dear to us. That would be beautiful. It would be nice if we could count on everyone to drink responsibly and not get behind a wheel of a car.

Dec 19th - 14:20pm | Lone Hiker

What part of "NO" don't you understand, Senator? This policy is only confusing to the lower intellects on the evolutionary scale. Your freedom and your "rights" ends the minute my freedom to my family's safety is threatened, whether that threat is real, or just "an accident waiting to happen".

Dec 19th - 13:38pm | Bruce

I am a licensed Florida gun owner. There is no facility for checking my weapon when entering a local National Park. My choice is leaving the weapon at home (not an option) or locking it in my car. Another poor choice.

Park History: Exploring the National Parkways

Dec 22nd - 10:02am | Merryland

I drive the BW parkway at least four days a week. It's miserable with all the traffic and lack of public transportation in the Baltimore/Washington corridor. Nice on a Sunday morning though, and even though it's always jam-packed, at least there are no trucks!

Park History: Capitol Reef National Park

Dec 21st - 20:20pm | LaDonna Crane

Chance, sure enjoyed reading this article and look forward to seeing more from you! Great job.

Dec 19th - 11:24am | Anonymous

Chance, mark my words....you're going places with your pen. I love your spirit for the outdoors. Kurt, get this young man job!

Dec 19th - 10:00am | Bob Janiskee

I like to think that medical doctors will take to heart the dictum “First, do no harm,” even though it is not part of the Hippocratic Oath (which new doctors don’t take, anyway). Similarly, I like to think that park rangers will abide by the dictum” First, love the parks,” even though they take no such formal vow when they don that flat brimmed hat.

Dec 18th - 23:31pm | T. Kelley

Chance what an honor! I am so very proud of you and I'm sure your mom is smiling from ear to ear. It is going to be fun to watch you grow and become the Ranger that you want to be. Your Dreams Will Come Through! Thumbs Up!

Economic Greed Tarnishes Our National Park System

Dec 21st - 12:32pm | Al Bright

Appealing to emotion rather than fact is what has propelled this argument for decades now. It is not simply a case of one footstep in a meadow. These public lands are "our" lands - 300+million of us in this country alone.

Dec 20th - 16:32pm | Anonymous

What about the study that said " cross country skiers and snowshoers have a greater chance of spooking and causing injury to bison and elk than a motorized vehicle." I guess we should ban them too, or make them wear bells so the animals are forwarned.

Dec 17th - 10:23am | Anonymous

After seeing the picture of all those snowmobiles, I certainly wouldn't want to be anywhere after the first one. They need to hand out oxygen masks from the looks of things.

Search Under Way for Missing Snowshoer On Mount Rainier

Dec 21st - 12:20pm | p.scott rattermann

Godspeed to those that search for the young man as we pray for his safe return. may the lord be with his loved ones during this time of uncertainty.

Robin Winks on the Evolution and Meaning of the Organic Act

Dec 19th - 21:34pm | J Longstreet

Professor Janiskee is right; this is important stuff. We hear lots of opinions on what the Park Service should do but this is widely recognized as one of the best and most authoritative analyses of THE LAW. Robin Winks was one of a kind, and an incredible asset to the NPS from academia (Yale). This is one of the most important articles in my library.

Dec 19th - 16:28pm | Bob Janiskee

Because this is a very long and detailed discussion of the contradiction issue, I suspect that many NPT followers will give it only a quick scan or not read it at all. That's a shame, since it is a very illuminating discourse. If you are one of those who hasn't the time or inclination to read the whole treatment, including Gavin's "further thoughts" here is the gist of it.

Mountain Bikes In the Parks

Dec 19th - 09:35am | repanshek

IMBA's proposals, to the best of my knowledge, are for "shared use" trails, not trails solely for cyclists. A perfect example is the trail proposed as a centennial project at Big Bend.

Dec 19th - 04:25am | Anonymous

Mr. Repanshek,

Olympic NP Tribe Wants Land Swap For Trail Access

Dec 19th - 00:12am | Random Walker

Here is some history for those so inclined. Is Your Tribal Land Secure? By Larry Ralston (this is a word document)

Dec 18th - 16:08pm | Terri Hansen

The Quileute ceded millions of acres for what is today the Olympic National Park. Why aren't we ceding back the few acres the tribe needs so it's people can survive a tsunami, or now the inevitable and inescapable rising sea levels? Let's finally do it right this time.

National Parks Contribute Holiday Ornaments to White House Christmas Tree

Dec 18th - 10:14am | Jo

As a National Park lover and visitor, I wish they would put these ornaments for sale - this could be a great fundraiser for our National Parks. Then this would really make a difference for our parks.

Are The National Parks Not Part of Our Federal Lands?

Dec 17th - 23:57pm | Rick Deutsch

For those wanting to follow this proposal...it is trackable as Senate bill S. 2438. Rick D.

Congressional Research Service--Recreation on Federal Lands

Dec 17th - 21:21pm | Lone Hiker

Whether you admit to it or not, you two (the editors) are already a resource to a vast audience. There are many people nationally who have a varied degree of interest in the topics presented in this forum, but lack the resources, intellect, or motivation to sift through the mountains of reports, articles, interviews, etc. of their own vocation.

Dying in the Parks: Park Service Concerned About Suicides

Dec 17th - 11:24am | kath

"Over the Edge" the book about death in the Grand Canyon states that in the year after "Thelma and Louise" came out on video, several people committed suicide or attempted suicide by driving over the edge. It's very sad when people feel their lives have no meaning and that non-existence is preferable to existence. But what is the NPS supposed to do about it?

Rocky Mountain National Park Officials Select "Lethal Reduction" To Help Reduce Elk Herd--Updated

Dec 16th - 13:40pm | Bob Janiskee

Holly, are you arguing for immunocontraception using the PZP vaccine? (PZP stands for "porcine zona pellucida", which is made from pig ovaries.) If so, Can you tell us about results of recent studies? I know that scientists were experimenting with PZP-based immunocontraception back in 2004, but I've not kept up with their research.

The Essential RVing Guide

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