| Page 1054 | National Parks Traveler

I would like to know of the dates and exact incedents the Lady Ranger is refering to. I don't believe a word she is saying. For example I live in this Community and there has NEVER been a report of anything other than slight injuries, no broken necks. There were they few incidents this past summer 2011 that made Statewide news of new drowning. However that happens in every water area in the

Trails I've Hiked: Little Cataloochee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 14th - 12:26pm | Holly Scott

Danny- I learned so much reading this article, and I was pleased to share the link in our latest eblast. What wonderful interpretive information for anyone who loves hiking in the Smokies !

National Park Service Taking Public Comment on Proposal For Cesar Chavez Unit Of the Park System

Oct 14th - 11:39am | Anonymous

I think that this would be a wonderful tribute. It is long overdue. We must recognize the movement and the people. Heroes come in all walks of life. He represents hard working peoples that recieved very little in return. Better late than never I say..

Adventure-Journal: Mr. Uberuaga Should Not Have Been Given Grand Canyon National Park Promotion

Oct 13th - 22:43pm | Anonymous

Wolf Looking For Human Handouts Euthanized By Yellowstone National Park Staff

Oct 13th - 21:05pm | y_p_w

Anonymous: I have a great idea.Everytime the park rangers see any animal being fed. The rules should be a fine and suspension from all National Parks for a year.

Oct 13th - 16:24pm | Anonymous

I have a great idea.Everytime the park rangers see any animal being fed. The rules should be a fine and suspension from all National Parks for a year.

Oct 13th - 12:17pm | Anonymous

I hate to see a wolf killed as well-- but I wonder if everyone would have been as upset if it had been a porcupine??

Oct 13th - 11:44am | Anonymous

You know all the preditory animals are being wiped out by the biggest preditor of all...man. Wolves are disliked because they are 'killing' off the elk etc. really? I mean for thousands of years wolves and elk, deer, bison everything co-existed none were extint until man started hunting them. Now man is angry because Wolf is eating all of Elk or Horse is eating all of the range from mans beef.

Oct 13th - 00:29am | y_p_w

Dawn: Disgusting. That poor wolf did NOT have to pay with his life. There are many other options and venues available to prevent this senseless and needless death of a beautiful creature. Relocation to a Wolf sanctuary is one solution.

Oct 12th - 21:47pm | Lee Dalton

Dawn, unfortunately there are many, many factors that go into making a decision like this. Don't be too quick to judge. It's not at all unusual for animal sanctuaries to be unable or unwilling to accept one more animal. Their capacities are not unlimited. Believe me, when rangers must kill an animal it is not something they want to do.

Oct 12th - 21:21pm | dave

I don't fully understand why some people put certain animals on pedastals and think for some reason they are better than any of the other inhabitants of this earth. Everything has its place. Some overstep their bounds. Us included. Wolves like all pack animals can be extremely vile creatures. i.e.

Oct 12th - 19:40pm | Laura

Dawn-you hit the nail on the head! I could not have said it more perfectly myself-it is though you spoke for me, your words are pretty much word for word what I was going to say-So I shall say "Ditto" and Thank you :)

Oct 12th - 18:23pm | Dawn

Disgusting. That poor wolf did NOT have to pay with his life. There are many other options and venues available to prevent this senseless and needless death of a beautiful creature. Relocation to a Wolf sanctuary is one solution.

Oct 12th - 17:22pm | Anonymous

Very well stated. It is ignorant people that cause these animals to be killed.

Oct 12th - 14:59pm | Lyn Ridenour

This is just too sad! But what can you do when visitors don't follow National Park procedures about storing and disposing of food when in the Parks. Sometimes you just can't fix stupid!!

Obama Administration Cites 5-Year-Old Study To Tout Value of America's Great Outdoors

Oct 13th - 17:17pm | Andrea Lankford

Anonymous Oct 13 1:51 Wow, I've heard of concessionaires doing interesting things in their hiring practises before but I didn't realize they were doing this. I'd like to know more. r

Oct 13th - 14:51pm | Anonymous

The concessionaires really like the arrangement, Anon. They have recruiters (concessionaires) that go to these countries and charge the perspective employees in the neighborhood of $3000 for the opportunity for short term contract employment. Many work two jobs to recover the cost. No benefits and they generally fulfill their contracts.

Oct 13th - 14:49pm | Lee Dalton

Anonymous poses a good question. I've wondered about that myself. Can anyon explain this? I doubt it's because of the pay -- or lack of it.

Oct 13th - 13:58pm | Rick B.

I think you are talking about the employees of concessionaires, not of the NPS itself.

Oct 13th - 12:25pm | Anonymous

You know this summer when we visited several National Parks( Yellowstone,GrandTeton,GrandCanyon) we noticed that most of the people working were non- Americans. There is no problem with that but why aren't US citizens taking those jobs?? People complain they can't find a job and as in this article all these jobs are being created by people visiting the parks.

Latest Studies On Yellowstone National Park's Wolf Packs Shows Stable Population

Oct 13th - 15:27pm | Anoymous

i have a couple of questions for you: 1. What was the apex predator before the wolves were reintroduced? 2. Does being an apex predator mean that the species is always successful when hunting? Explain. 3. How did changing the apex predator chang life for the coyote? 4.Do you think wolf hunting should be permitted? Explain your reasoning.

Pestilence and Persistence: Yosemite Indian Demography and Culture in Colonial California

Oct 13th - 15:13pm | Erick Rhoan

I would also like to read this book. I wonder if it is a redrafted version of her graduate thesis and if so, then even better because the tone of the book will be targeted at a more "lay" audience.

Sky-High Ginseng Prices Boost Illegal Harvest in Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 13th - 14:32pm | Mark Stewart

hello all i have been a ginseng hunter for over 20 years. i only hunt for the big prize, at least knee high, and have 1/2 oz to one ounce roots on it. i have a name in the town where i live as a true hunter because of the size of my roots and how i leave all the small plants alone. now before i die i would like to make a bit of history i want to know what is the tallest and the most heavi

Dog Owner Cited After Pit Bull Attacks a Deer at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 13th - 07:31am | Anonymous

But it wasn't a child, it was another animal. There's a difference between human aggression and animal aggression. This dog was merely following up on its natural prey drive.

NPCA Sues National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service Over Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Lands Management

Oct 12th - 21:51pm | Lee Dalton

Unfortunately, political pressures and other factors often are the final determinants of NPS decisions and policies. I don't know the background of this particular issue, but I'd be about willing to bet that some Congressman got involved on behalf of a special interest group and applied pressure that forced NPS managers into a corner.

Oct 12th - 17:12pm | dkchristi

Immediate gratification from an off-road experience destroys habitat that provides years of beauty and serenity for hundreds of people. The exchange is illogical. Endangered species are losing habitat everywhere in the world due to human encroachment. I know about ghost orchids. They are picky. They don't do well domestically. They require their own unique environment - as that found in t

Oct 12th - 16:59pm | dkchristi

The habitat for endangered species is always in jeopardy because material pleasures are served instead of esoteric ones. In search of instant gratification, future generations are deprived the serenity and sheer joy that flora and fauna provide. The ghost orchid as an example is inspiration for the suspense novel, Ghost Orchid,a story wrapped in the beauty and mystique of the ghost orchid of

National Park Road Trip 2011: The Lodges of Old Faithful In Yellowstone National Park

Oct 12th - 20:57pm | Annemarie

We need help with lodging in Banff & Jasper. We want our next hiking trip to be in the Canadian rockies near the cities of Banff & Jasper. We need help with finding a cabin for 4 people. Thanks

Grizzly-Luring Berries Mean Moose-Wilson Road In Grand Teton National Park Could Close From Time To Time

Oct 12th - 20:51pm | APHOTO4YOU

Fortunately i live in the area 7 months....and have follow GRIZZLY 399 sow and cubs since 2006 and had a intention to follow life and progress of her offspring GRIZZLY 610 who has now 3 cubs (1 adopted) ....for bear sakes and safety its good move to protect bears...but i strongly disagree that park decided to keep PHOTOGRAPHERS OUT....its not fair and its not for JOY OF THE PEOPLE...ARCH

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Oct 12th - 17:44pm | Carolyn S.

P L E A S E someone re-open this quaint little coffee shop! And go ahead and re-hire the entire staff, because it just won't be the same without the same ladies cooking up those wonderful meals!!! I have to be completely honest...I come from a heritage of great country cooks! (My mama being the absolute BEST, and several aunts not far behind). And I have eaten many, many places in my few tr

Oct 12th - 15:29pm | jdubya

I was all primed to head for the Parkway and catch some fall foilage by the light of the full moon tonight. It's only 3 hours from Raleigh. Provided Bluffs Lodge had accomodations. Well, so much for that impulse. I didn't know until I called their phone that something was amiss. Oh, well, maybe next year.

NPS Steps In to Keep Three California State Parks Open in 2012

Oct 12th - 16:34pm | Anonymous

All the early California Redwood State Parks are the result of difficult, & compromising work by The Save The Redwoods League formed in 1918 in which the first NPS Director, Stephen Mather was a founding co-member, illuistrating how a small dedicated group passionate about saving

Oct 12th - 13:23pm | y_p_w

I voted for the vehicle fee that would have kept the state parks open.

Oct 12th - 13:02pm | Anonymous

I am aware that the national parks are also starved of money but why not transfer some of these state parks to NPS? Besides the Redwood and Golden Gate parks there are state parks within Mojave Preserve and Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area. While not on the closure list, Angel Island (formerly federal property) and perhaps other state parks are "nationally significant" and could make fi

Oct 12th - 10:23am | rdm24

These closures are embarassing, but I'm glad the National Parks could help. A number of other closed parks are within National Forests, and I would like to see the USFS step in. Palomar Mountain SP is within the Cleveland NF, and it is one of my very favorite parks!

Many Facilities on Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim to Close for Season on October 15

Oct 12th - 15:25pm | Connie Hopkins

Hey Paul! As a TR fanatic, I also enjoyed the Rough Rider Saloon/Coffee House!

Reward Offered For Information Leading To Arrest, Conviction Of Those Responsible For Mountain Lion Death

Oct 12th - 14:17pm | Kurt Repanshek

Humane Society of the United States....

Oct 12th - 14:16pm | Anonymous

Please let the readers know who HSUS is ? website ? Mission statement ? Humane Society...? There are too many duplicate or similar abbreviations to remember.

Oct 12th - 12:06pm | AnneHSUS

Thank you so much for sharing this story and helping to raise awareness. All of us at the HSUS hope that the person(s) responsible are quickly found.

Obama Administration Draws Criticism For Fast-Tracking Transmission Line Project Through National Park Units

Oct 12th - 13:43pm | Budlong

Disappointed to learn that our public lands are being wounded in the East too. I thought most of the destruction was happening here in the desert areas. We have 15 square mile projects going up all in one swoop, essentially clear-cutting old growth desert for huge solar projects, when we could be putting solar on all those roofs baking in our abundant sunshine.

National Park Mystery Spot 29 Revealed: A Hole in the Ground

Oct 12th - 13:21pm | y_p_w

I was thinking Crystal Cave, but the other clues sort of threw me off. I would also note that there's poison oak along the path to the cave. It's right around the upper elevation limits where it can grow. The guides warned us about it, and suggested that we could wash it off (before it takes hold) if we had been exposed.

Oct 12th - 10:56am | RangerLady

I work for the government....doesn't the automatically make me trust-worthy? lol I was down with the flu all last week and so bummed I missed the quiz. But who knows what answers I may have come up with in my drugged state.

Oct 12th - 10:47am | Bob Janiskee

I was wondering what happened to you, RangerLady. To answer your question: Of course you can count it if you figured it out without any help. The trick is to get people to believe you. :o)

Oct 12th - 10:38am | RangerLady

Too bad I was sick last week! Does it still count if I figured it out before I looekd at the answer?

House Of Representatives Could Act Monday on Bid to Allow Uranium Mining Around Grand Canyon National Park

Oct 12th - 11:29am | Donna Crouse

My I am confused by many of the statements in the article. Take for instance the concern of CAP, since the Colorado River already carries 1% uranium and the mining of the breccia pipes would pull that out of the water, wouldn't that actually make it SAFER for the 80% who rely on the river for its water? As for the fishing, camping, hunting, etc. how is that widlerness/wildlands designation w

Natonal Park Mystery Photo 37: Whatever Happened to Boomer I?

Oct 12th - 10:46am | Kurt Repanshek

Ranger Lady got it mostly right. Full details tomorrow!

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