| Page 1237 | National Parks Traveler

Similar to Connie, I look for an ornament if available. However, we don't have a separate Christmas tree - just a main one with all our travels / memories, which makes for a fun annual review. Other than that, I go for the photo magnets - we have quite a collage of beautiful shots stuck to our refrigerator!

Jun 2nd - 07:10am | Connie Hopkins

I have pins as well for my hiking hat and as an avid reader I HAVE to come home with a book! I enjoy history and biographies so anything about the local history of where we are holds my interest (Jim Bridger's biography, Missing in the Minarets,: the Search for Walter A. Starr Jr, etc).

Jun 2nd - 06:23am | Barky

I collect the lapel pins, stick 'em on a bulletin board in my living room to track my progress. At an average cost of $4 each, that's about $600 on a bulletin board!!

Calving Glacier Injures Two Hikers In Glacier Bay National Park

Jun 2nd - 08:10am | Jim Burnett

Sharon - Thanks for the additional information. We hope everyone involved makes a speedy and full recovery!

Jun 1st - 21:23pm | Sharon Early

We would like to thank the park service for all of your support and assistance. It was a relief when you arrived, even though you could not land, we knew you were there. Knowing you were aware our boats would be left in the Bay with you watching made it far easier to take care of ourselves as we left.

Deep Snows Push Back Opening of Devils Postpile National Monument

Jun 2nd - 06:19am | Barky

Wow, amazing how many parks are impacted by late snows this year. Never thought it was much of a problem before, maybe simply wasn't paying attention....

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jun 2nd - 05:46am | Anonymous

If you hike up Mt Rainier in the fall you might get caught in a storm and die. If you hike into the Narrows at Zion a flash flood might drown you. If you back pack in Denali you might encounter a grisly bear and that bear might attack you. Shooting a grisly in Denali is wrong. If you go to Denali prepared to kill a grisly you shouldn’t be there.

Jun 2nd - 00:08am | MarkK

I agree, it be foolhardy not to be armed when going into an area where there might be a wounded bear. It's interesting because of the comparison of risk vs knowledge. A wounded bear is a greater risk than a non-wounded bear, but these are also rangers who presumably are experts in dealing with bears.

Jun 1st - 23:49pm | Anonymous

non-confrontational? Bear breaks into cabin -occupants retreat to roof - man goes for help. When he returns he finds his half eaten companion on the roof. That's pretty confrontational.

Jun 1st - 23:45pm | Anonymous

I have read a lot about bears and their bluff charges. I have read a lot of stories here about how some people would never carry a gun -as they could "Talk to the bear and wave their arms" for defense. I also read about the woman who was ripped from her roof and eaten. This after the bear broke into her and her husbands cabin and he ran for help.

Jun 1st - 22:20pm | Pat

MikeD wrote "I have to hope this is a rather cleverly crafted joke"... No sir, I am an antique arms collector and the last thing I want to do is have the Feds confiscate everything I've collected and lose my right to own arms due to breaking a Federal "no discharge" law. It's worth a lot to me, both monetarily and sentimentally, and at this point I'm considering leaving my sidearm at home.

Jun 1st - 18:52pm | Joenpb

I'll add one more thing, there are very few National Parks outside of Alaska where carrying a firearm is warranted. I too get nervous in the fall when I see hunters on horseback while out hiking. I can see where inexperienced backcountry visitors who are armed, possibly without much handgun/firearms training, can add up to a volatile situation.

Jun 1st - 17:18pm | Anonymous

You chose to enter the National parks at your own risk and therefore you assume the risk of a bear encounter. Having worked at Yellowstone I dealt with bear encounters and even had a close call myself. I agree that it is nice to have a firearm in case of an emergency but carrying a firearm poses a great risk to our law enforcement in the park. Not everyone is responsible with their firearm.

Jun 1st - 16:20pm | MikeD

One Anonymous person wrote: "I've taken over 30 hours of live-fire training on a range with former Law Enforcement and Blackwater contractors in order to react to a bear threat.... In my training, I've practiced one handed and one eyed (non-dominant) self-defense shooting for just this situation.... I don't want to go to jail and lose my firearm.

Jun 1st - 15:14pm | Bill

Without a lot more info, no conclusion can be drawn. Worked for a few years in AK back country, several friends were maimed and 2 killed by bears. Have been up close and personal with bears, cats, and other animals many times in many places, have had to shoot some of them.

Jun 1st - 13:44pm | Josh

Perhaps the hiker here was justified in shooting the bear but the details needed to determine this are not public yet (and may never be). Speaking as an avid back packer and gun owner, I'm worried that peremptory, hasty or not fully justified use of firearms against wildlife in a place like Denali will deteriorate the wilderness experience for all of us.

Jun 1st - 13:37pm | Joenpb

If this would have happened elsewhere in the state there would be a small paragraph in the local paper, & the story would be over. Many residents carry for self defense when in the AK backcountry, fishing, hiking, etc. Incidents like this one happen a few times every year elsewhere in the state.

Jun 1st - 12:40pm | Gary

Hikers got lucky; 9 rounds from a .45 would have been effective against a brown bear only at very close range, probably less than 20 feet, and then only against a frontal attack by the bear. All nine rounds from a .45 with an extended magazine, fired into the backside of a bear, would only have made the bear very, very mad, and likely would not have been fatal to the bear.

Jun 1st - 11:46am | Anonymous

Shooting after the threat is no longer a threat, even in your own house, changes everything. I see 1 count of self-defense and 8 counts of reckless endangerment and whatever else the Federal authorities can charge this person with. He needs to be made a clear example of what NOT to do if NPS wants to prevent this in the future.

Jun 1st - 11:42am | Robert

I don't think anyone is really saying that we should prefer dead hikers over a dead bear. The question will always be was the intention of the bear to attack or scare? What bothers me is if you want to enjoy our forests and WILDlife, how do you justify carrying a weapon to kill the WILDlife you are there to enjoy?

Jun 1st - 11:22am | Anonymous

No one made the hikers choose Denali. There are plenty of National Parks that don't contain bears. Until now, no major injuries occurred where a bear had to be shot until May 2010 when fire arms are allowed. The hikers went to the bears habitat; the bear did not wonder in to the hikers neighborhood. If you don't want to take the risk, don't go.

Jun 1st - 11:21am | Anonymous

As an avid backpacker of Denali NP and one who just happened to be there when the helicopter landed at Igloo and brought out the carcass. I have just one point: If your afraid of bears, don't go into the back country. Period. No compromise. Denail NP is not Anchorage, Glacier NP, or like any other Park in the U.S. It is wild.

Jun 1st - 11:08am | Anonymous

I plan to carry a concealed handgun when I visit Yellowstone and Glacier Nat'l Parks this summer. I've taken over 30 hours of live-fire training on a range with former Law Enforcement and Blackwater contractors in order to react to a bear threat.

Jun 1st - 11:04am | Kurt Repanshek

For what it's worth, the folks at Denali say they have never had a hiker/backpacker killed by a grizzly. There have been instances of folks being injured by bears. The only serious mauling park officials can immediately call to mind was back in the 1970s and that one involved an NPS employee.

Jun 1st - 10:48am | Yank

It would be interesting to see the IP's of all the posters here and show how many really live in cities and suburbia and only have a political motive for posting.. Its a shame so many ideologues will attempt to make this a statement on Civil Rights issues they want revoked rather than what it is, a man saving his wife's life and being forced to kill a bear in the process..

Jun 1st - 10:44am | mtpocket

A quote by Richard 'Dick' Proeneke fits this situation perfectly. "Is it proper that the wilderness and its' creatures should suffer because we came?"

National Park Mystery Spot 10 Revealed: It’s the Jones House at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Jun 2nd - 02:41am | Anonymous

I recently visited the reserve and truely and honestly believe I have had a paranormal experience. Do you believe the estate could be haunted by the family members that have died there?

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Jun 2nd - 00:49am | tha2010kid

thats what he said

Jun 2nd - 00:46am | tha2010kid

listen I am no breeder I'm not a pet owner i am a father.My CHILD is a 8 month old burmese alby python named Porhtose. He is barely 3 ft long and as beautiful as a sunrise over Moab Utah his favorite hobby is to drape over my shoulders and watch fraggle rock with me. He has never even hissssd at his brother High Gear or any of the kittens that live with me.

Jun 2nd - 00:14am | Anonymous

So on that last bit you say snakes are no different than you and me ok sounds right to me

Is There A Thaw Coming On the Three-Year-Old Freeze on National Park Fees?

Jun 2nd - 00:18am | Mark

Thank you for the kind words. Didn't mean to go off. Please don't take anything personally. I did have a great Holiday weekend after all. We went camping....and found yet another beautiful nature experience in a campground other than at a National Park, a place with next to no budget...

Lawsuit Over Deer Culling At Valley Forge Highlights Troubles Of Squeezed National Parks

Jun 1st - 21:34pm | Anonymous

I live in Chesterbrook, a neighborhood right next to VF park. I know atleast 20 neighbors that have been diagnosed with lime disease - it's a huge concern of mine. The way I see it is this... if the food chain had its way, we, as humans, would hunt the deer for food if we couldn't drive to our local store to purchase meat.

Ask A Ranger. Violence Is Nothing New To The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Jun 1st - 21:13pm | Rick Smith

Jees, Andrea, I don't remember asking the Chief Ranger to blame his/her rangers. I simply said that were I he/she, it's one of the things I would look into. Sorry my comment struck you the wrong way. Rick

Jun 1st - 19:35pm | haunted hiker

Rick, your tone of prejudice toward Lake Mead rangers sort of reminds me of comments like this: "i'm not saying she asked for it, but she could have been wearing a longer skirt." Please check the most recent comments about assaults on rangers. Several Lake Mead interpretation rangers are complaining of being threatened while in the performance of their duties.

Jun 1st - 16:02pm | Rick Smith

I worked with Bruce and concur he is/was a good ranger. On his blog, he cites an LA Times article that he says supports his contention that anti-government rhetoric is fueling the incrrease in incidents of violence against NPS protection personnel. The article goes on to state that there were no reported incidents in Yellowstone or Grand Canyon and a few in parks like Yosemite.

Jun 1st - 14:08pm | Benjamin Lord

Bruce Bytnar's book is a masterpiece of behind-the-scenes life in the National Park Service. He has written a fun and compelling work that best reveals a perspectice from the field. I bought the book on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed his experience and commentary. If I ran a park area I would insist every park employee read this book.

Jun 1st - 12:14pm | Tanna Baumgardner

You can also purchase Bruce's Book from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Store (and support the Foundation!) by visiting: http://www.blueridgeparkwaystore.com/prods/82943450_1888_a-park-rangers-...

Jun 1st - 10:25am | Badge529

NPS protection rangers are federal law enforcement officers and have the same responsibilities to protect the public that any police officer has.

Tracking Crime in National Parks Is Not An Exact Science By Any Means

Jun 1st - 20:11pm | Joenpb

Its not surprising that as soon as you hike over that first pass, or out beyond 5 miles all that nonsense stops. In my experience the same people who cut you off on the road, or weave in & out of traffic, feel they're entitled to do whatever they want in the park, even if that means intruding on other visitors solitude, or threatening a park ranger.

Jun 1st - 16:58pm | RangerLady

Chief, I was threatened as well when I was interp. All I did was ask them to move from a handicapped parking spot to the one right next to it and they came after me. All the people at my program were scared and they scattered. Even though I called LE to come 'rescue' me, no one ever showed and that incident was never reported.

Jun 1st - 14:32pm | Chief of Interp...

Its not just limited to LE Rangers-It's amazing how many times one can be verbally assaulted as an Interp Ranger. Several times I've been threatened or come to the defense of another ranger who has been verbally threatened by park visitors-and the vast majority of that stuff is never reported-I know that in 10 years I've only actually reported one incident out of at least a dozen serious ones.

Survey Says National Park Service Is Far from the Best Government Agency to Work For

Jun 1st - 18:42pm | John

I found this article doing research on NPS employees! There is a culture that becomes apparent whenever I deal with them! As an ordinary visitor I see the problems with the NPS as they come through in the interaction. When NPS has a monopoly one has to put up with it, If I could get the product somewhere else, I would!

Updated: Drilling Rig Disaster Could Send Oil Spill Into Gulf Islands National Seashore

Jun 1st - 18:34pm | Anonymous

Future generations will likely not survive to invent anything new in an environment polluted by the natural gas industry. Onshore Gas Drilling Pollution Disasters have compromised water from toxic chemicals used in drilling fluids. The government exempted the Poisons from being included in water testing!

Vandalism Leads to Closure of Ramp at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Jun 1st - 17:09pm | RangerLady

So the people get mad about the closures and retaliate by doing something that will expand the closure. Is it me or does their thinking not make sense?

Jon Jarvis Finally Nominated to be Next Director of the National Park Service

Jun 1st - 15:31pm | Racism in the NPS

Jon Jarvis, in my opinion, appears to be supporting racism via his appointment of Gerard Baker as the new Assistant Director for American Indian Relations.

Traveler’s Checklist: Congaree National Park

Jun 1st - 15:19pm | Lisa

This is an excellent park. We've hiked twice, and canoed once. I highly recommend a strong bug spray as the SC summer heat/ humidity prove to draw every mosquito for miles around. If you're physically able, take one of the loops that adventure further into the forest ... away from the boarkwalk. An easy pace can bring you back to the Visitor's Center in a matter of hours.

Work Continuing On Restoration of Bodie Island Lighthouse At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Jun 1st - 13:54pm | Theresa G

Stopped at the Bodie Lighthouse today on my way back home to Va. I took some pics and will try to send them to you..... looking good!!!!!! I am so glad they are finally doing the work that has been long overdue!! They are also working on the outer buildings.

Reader Participation Day: Has Arizona's Approach To Controlling Illegal Immigrants Led You To Cancel a Grand Canyon Trip?

Jun 1st - 13:29pm | SoonerGirl1064

I am sure you have your reasons for cancelling your travel but I can not imagine why any tax-paying American citizen would protest the new legislation when it is protecting the people of Arizona and the millions of tax dollars they pay, many of which go to support ILLEGAL immigrants who are here taking full advantage of our taxpayer-sponsored government programs and their children are receiving

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