Can you say "copycat legislation"?
First Representative Mark Udall, D-Colorado, proposed legislation to allow for an elk hunt in Rocky Mountain National Park, and now a congressman from North Dakota is taking the same approach to allow hunting in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan introduced legislation to that effect this week after Park Service officials at the park refused to endorse a public hunt of elk.
“If we need to thin the herd, I don’t see any sense in spending
millions of dollars to bring in federal sharpshooters and helicopters
when we have qualified hunters in North Dakota that would do it free of
charge,” Dorgan said in a story carried by the Minot Daily News. “This bill would allow the Park Service to set up
some standards to make sure we use only qualified and responsible
hunters to thin the herd and still protect the national park.”
Any idea why both Dorgan and Udall point out that their proposals would involve "only qualified and responsible hunters..."? Are they suggesting that not all hunters are qualified or responsible?
Beyond that, it's kind of a shame, don't you think, that congressfolk think they can do a better job of managing the parks through legislating actions?
North Dakota Politician Wants TRNP Elk Hunt
Support Journalism about National Parks!
National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The Essential RVing Guide
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.
Add comment