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Watch For Hunters Passing Through National Parks This Fall

Sep 3rd - 19:39pm | DD-393

Nothing says "Mother Nature" like a bloody corpse on the hood of a pickup truck.

Sep 3rd - 12:46pm | Anonymous

BAD MOVE, for one thing it is inredibly dangerous and for another thing, seeing "The KILL" or as some people call them "Trophy's" is very disturbing to some, especially children. This is NOT the way I want the children of the world to experience our beautiful National Parks.

Sep 3rd - 11:20am | justinh

Anonymous wrote, "Why would seeing a hunter be a disturbing sight?" It's not the hunters per se. Take another look at what the post actually says: "hunters toting their kills through the parks." I go to the parks to see wildLIFE, not their corpses.

Sep 3rd - 08:58am | Scot Ferguson

Some people are funny that way. Although, most visitors with children should be gone, since they are probably back in school. And, a hunter with meat to pack out will probably have it quartered up in a pack. So, it shouldn't be an issue, unless someone chose to make it one.

Sep 3rd - 07:28am | Anonymous

Why would seeing a hunter be a disturbing sight?

Best Places To Work: National Park Service Is Improved, But Still Far From the Top

Sep 3rd - 18:53pm | Rick Smith

d-2 is right, of course. It takes a village of competent employees to manage a park. Tahoma's characterization of imcompetent employees is not consistent with what I saw during my career in the NPS.

Sep 3rd - 13:14pm | d-2

Dear Tahoma: no government agency is ever fully funded. No american ideal is ever fully achieved. It is the job of every citizen and every government worker to fight for continual improvement.

Sep 3rd - 12:49pm | MRC

@d-2: If the job earns not enough to send your kids to college, then you won't get many good people. Or the people you get have to make painful sacrifices.

Sep 3rd - 11:52am | tahoma

It's not just political correctness when I say the vast majority of the field personnel and first-line supervisors during my career were outstandingly competent individuals. Many routinely worked massive unpaid overtime and frequently went far beyond the duties of their position descriptions.

Sep 3rd - 08:40am | Fishtrek

Personally I would love to see more of the locals hired and trained for positions. In visiting different parks this past summer the ones that had a stake in the community made the best and most pleasant impressions, the others just went through the motions. I think one would say lack of common sense.

Sep 3rd - 00:23am | anonymous

The ones who emerge from this freedom are the people with character. Heaven save us from those people. You know, the ones who allow for people get to six figure legal settlements after they put their tongue down their secretary's throat while actively fomenting a cult of personality in their park (true story by the way.)

Sep 2nd - 22:05pm | Anonymous

Almost forty years ago, I had the honor of being selected as an intake ranger and participated in about four years of intensive training across the country. Over that period, my classes participated in several evaluations of the NPS. Each time, supervision and management/leadership were identified as areas in need of significant improvement.

Sep 2nd - 21:02pm | d-2

Get OVER it, people! Who ever joined the NPS for salary? Who ever joined for individual recognition?

Sep 2nd - 15:08pm | RangerLady

I have no complaint about my salary. It is too low for my debt, but that's my own doing (darn student loans!). Right now the park I work at is one of my favorites, but it does have some problems as would any job. I'd say the main issue here is lack of communication. It is difficult for departments to get together and talk about what's going on.

Sep 2nd - 14:41pm | Chief of Interp...

In resonse to pkrnger-seasonal employees were excluded from the survey-full time permanent employees only-

Sep 2nd - 13:27pm | pkrnger

Given that commentary from the field is starting to build on this posting, I would be curious to learn from NPS'ers willing to comment on this article about specific root causes to some of the ongoing problems and proposed solutions.

Sep 2nd - 12:42pm | yellowstone98

Frankly, even if it means flying out for groceries once a month I wouldn't have it any other way. If you don't like it and haven't been able to make successful inroads with anybody to instigate change, that's awful. But it certainly isn't representative of many of our experiences

Sep 2nd - 11:21am | Anonymous

I'm saddened by the comments above.

Sep 2nd - 10:26am | Anonymous

I am not surprised by this article. I have worked for the Park Service for 5 seasons, and it has been one bad work experience after another. The amazing amount of inefficiency and waste of tax payer money is astounding. It's not just in the Ranger Division- but in all divisions.

Sep 2nd - 08:21am | Anonymous

Unfortunately, this image that "your office is some of the most beautiful land in the world," is part of the problem. Most NPS employees do not work in the west and do not work in remote areas. There are more than 1500 employees in Washington DC, 500 in and around New York City, 300 in San Francisco/Oakland, many others in Atlanta, Omaha, and Denver.

Sep 1st - 18:34pm | destroyerman

i had the best summer of my life working at mt.rushmore(seasonal maintenance)pay was not that great,the people i worked for were.i am 68 yrs. old ,and would go back there to work if i could.it sure as heck beats any job in d.c.

Cost of Search for Missing Plane Over Katmai National Park and Preserve Approaching $1 Million

Sep 3rd - 13:36pm | Walter and Sabr...

We want to say "Thank you" to all the SAR teams, park employees, and anyone searching for these 4 precious men. We have known the Spradlin Family for over 16 years and know of their humbling appreciation for all your efforts, time, and money spent on finding these men alive, healthy, and of sound mind.

Cape Lookout National Seashore To Close in Advance of Hurricane Earl, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Shuttering, Too

Sep 3rd - 12:59pm | Bob Janiskee

As I understand it, the campgrounds at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores have been closed until further notice, pending post-storm review. Campground reservations have been suspended until further notice. You should visit the park websites for updated information.

Sep 3rd - 12:50pm | paul

Does anyone know if any of the campgrounds are open now (after Earl)? Are they opening soon? I am coming from Washington, DC and I would hate to change my vacation plans and stay in DC this long weekend. Please let me know, Thank you, paul

Update: Hurricane Earl Remains on Track to Impact the Outer Banks Parks

Sep 3rd - 10:12am | Anonymous

Seems illogical.. if a species is truely endangered, any help to save potential hatchlings seems prudent. Perhaps there is more involved with this philosphy? If the resource was rapidly recovering, there is less opportunity to leverage concern for them in other areas, such as reducing the use of the Park. Sounds cynical but seems to be the most obvious motive..

Sep 3rd - 10:03am | Samsdad

Darren I hope you understand I am on your side... and that the deaths of these turtles is another example of the DOI, NPS and the Enviro's Playing GOD by picking and choosing what survives and why.

Sep 3rd - 08:46am | Darren Lopez

"Sam, I think the big difference is that the oil spill was caused by man, while hurricanes are part of nature."

Sep 3rd - 07:52am | Samsdad

That excuse is used only when it benefits you. Please see Cape Hatteras NPS killing of nature by the hundereds to protect a few birds? Sound familiar. This is so typical to use a statement or science that fits the moment or your cause.

Sep 2nd - 14:38pm | Kurt Repanshek

Sam, I think the big difference is that the oil spill was caused by man, while hurricanes are part of nature.

Sep 2nd - 14:35pm | Samsdad

Why is it that when there is an oil spill in the gulf the people run to relocate turtle nests, but when a hurricane strikes no one mentions the fact that roughly 100 nests are left to surely perish? Ironic isn't it!

Mountain Biker/Attorney Argues For Making Wilderness Safer

Sep 3rd - 00:00am | Anonymous

to address your point, in most cases horses and pack animals and bikes should really be banned from federally designated wilderness-and boo hoo there is 50 m acres you can't ride-i am sure there is 5 times that amount on USFS BLM and sundry other agencies land you can ride on to your heart's content. Keep some wilderness free of mechanical transport!

Sep 2nd - 14:56pm | Zebulon

I think that Mr.

Sep 2nd - 00:11am | yellowstone98

[quote=haunted hiker]To say that the suggestion an agency place signs in certain locations is a wedge that will allow mountain bike in the wilderness is a ridiculous leap. I'd say that considering the person who made such a suggestion is who he is, it is not so ridiculous as one might think.

Need to Cull Elk in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Points To Larger Problem Across National Park System

Sep 2nd - 16:46pm | hunter

All I can say is where do I sign up? This type of management is a needed fact of life. More elk than the habitat can support leads to disease and awful deaths for animals. Hunting is the cleanest and safest way to lighten the burden on the park lands. Glad to see they have enough sense to allow it!

Poll Shows Maine Residents Support Creation of National Park, Sustainable Logging From the North Woods

Sep 2nd - 16:10pm | Kurt Repanshek

Indeed, Barky, this type of effort shouldn't be labeled right or left. There are many fine conservation stewards on both sides of the aisle. And many who are not so fine, regardless of affiliation.

Sep 2nd - 16:07pm | Barky

"It would be a nice boost especially for the left." Grrrrrr, I hate the notion that preservation is purely an issue for the "left". Am really getting tired of this "us v. them" nonsense.....

Sep 2nd - 16:07pm | Kurt Repanshek

Mike, I believe the "preserve" tag would be attached to allow for continued hunting....

Sep 2nd - 16:02pm | MikeD

Watched the video on their site - very nice. And I see they use the term "National Park and Preserve" presumably because of the envisioned logging (hunting?). Also have to say it would be a nice thing for the Obama administration to pursue given that there seems to be the will to do it. It would be a nice boost especially for the left.

Sep 2nd - 09:45am | Kurt Repanshek

I believe, Mike, that particular vision would have a national park surrounded by forests that are sustainably logged, not a park with logging within its boundaries. Olympic National Park, for example, is surrounded by the Olympic National Forest and from time to time you drive passed logged areas in the forest, not the park.

Sep 2nd - 09:18am | MikeD

Sounds great, but can you have a national park that also allows logging? Sounds more like a national forest to me... Would it have to be a national preserve or could it be a national park with logging?

Sep 2nd - 09:05am | Anonymous

I would be delighted to see a new park implemented in the north woods. I spent an entire summer in those woods collecting forestry data and fell in love with the area. The natural beauty abounds and as such I can understand why it would be a popular draw for vacation homes, but I personally would hate to see that happen. I abhor the commercialization of these natural places.

Sep 2nd - 08:38am | Anonymous

Barky - With a program like this you can bet logging as an industry will be shrinking. It will be cause-and-effect - and it will take the New England economy and thousands of jobs with it. Many people's livelihood are on the line here.

Sep 2nd - 06:19am | Barky

Interesting. I like the idea of a interior land park in New England. This whole region used to be covered in forests centuries ago, it'd be nice to preserve a chunk of that. And the compromises would seem to ensure this could be done without causing economic hardship.

Researchers To Begin 37th Year of Grizzly Bear Research in Yellowstone National Park

Sep 2nd - 16:08pm | Kurt Repanshek

Thanks for the added details, Dave. It will be interesting to see how the Yellowstone ecosystem bears fare with fewer cutthroat and pine nuts.

Sep 2nd - 16:05pm | Dave Smith

The primary reason the bears are being trapped is to get an accurate estimate on the grizzly population in the Yellowstone region so grizzlies can be removed from the list of species protected by the Endangered Species Act. Once Yellowstone area grizzlies are delisted, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho will open legal hunting seasons on grizzlies.

Consider a Donation to Help The Traveler Remain On-Line With Its Daily Dose Of National Park Coverage

Sep 2nd - 12:40pm | Kurt Repanshek

Rick, if folks click on the Help Sponsor the Traveler box in the right-hand column they'll be taken to a page that explains our mission, needs, and outreach efforts.

Sep 2nd - 10:06am | Rick B.

A check will be forthcoming on payday. I presume that this is an issue that will need to be refreshed periodically through the year. I suggest that you put a link to this thread in one of your advertising boxes.

Shock-Synthesized Diamonds Unearthed in Channel Islands Reveal a Death-Dealing Extraterrestrial Impact

Sep 2nd - 11:48am | Anonymous

I direct your attention to the recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper, "No Evidence of Nanodiamonds in Younger-Dryas Sediments to Support an Impact Event." http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/08/26/1003904107

Climate Change Report Carries Foreboding Forecast for Shenandoah National Park, Historic Jamestown

Sep 2nd - 11:40am | Anonymous

I have a tough time believing that humans are causing the majority of Climate Change. http://believeinclimatechange.blogspot.com

Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Grizzlies

Sep 2nd - 10:13am | Jim Ireland

A bear in a tent at night is a very frightening and dangerous (albeit very rare) scenario, no doubt. If you think that through, you are likely to be disoriented when suddenly woken up by a bear in or near your tent. You are in a dark, small and relatively unfamiliar space, likely in a somewhat confining sleeping bag, and often with other people in very close proximity.

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