| Page 1543 | National Parks Traveler

For those who only stop at park visitor centers or for lunch at a roadside picnic area, guns may have little or no utility. For those who enjoy hiking or camping, particularly in the more remote areas of parks, a gun might provide welcome protection from predators of both the two- and four-legged variety.

Feb 3rd - 12:56pm | Anonymous

I hope Coburn is able to get this done. I live in an area surrounded by National Parks and it in inconvenient and I think dangerous to the citizenry to ban firearms. As shown by the fact that state concealed carry laws have not resulted in mayhem as the Fraternal Order of Police and other anti-gun groups warned, the law abiding public can be trusted.

Feb 3rd - 12:50pm | Anonymous

This is beyond belief. The National Park System is just that....it's a park...created for the enjoyment of natural beauty by everyone: young, old, Mom and Dad, Gramps & Gram's, family outings, friends, camping, hiking, y'all git the picture.

Feb 3rd - 12:50pm | John Wallace

Criminals are going to break the law no matter what law is put in place. If poachers are wanting to poach they will poach. If armed robbers want to threaten people at gun point to rob them, guess what they are going to use?

Feb 3rd - 12:41pm | Mark from KY

This is great news! Good for the Senator.

Feb 3rd - 12:19pm | JoeSF

Thank you Senator Coburn for introducing common sense legislation concerning firearms for the National Parks. I applaud you.

Feb 3rd - 11:28am | James Curzio

I sent the comments below to the Senator. Please take the time to send your comments to the Senator as well. It can make a difference. Senator,

Feb 3rd - 07:49am | Anonymous

Only a crazy man would introduce that kind of law.

Feb 2nd - 20:38pm | Anonymous

This amendment is a really bad idea, Its hard to beleive that someone would be stupid enough to even consider this. Just what we need is another gun fanatic to make things worse for the general public. You would think these people would learn from all the tragedies that are caused by guns.

Feb 2nd - 19:53pm | Anonymous

First of all, if someone is in a National park to poach wildlife this bill will not bother them at all, They are there to break the law what do they care about anyone who may be legally carrying a weapon. Have you people been living under a rock or what ? Most people who carry guns legally don't go around flashing them like some school kid, I think most of you people need a reality check .

Winter Visits to the National Parks

Feb 3rd - 02:22am | jsmacdonald

I wrote about the rest of my recent winter trip into Yellowstone about an hour ago. While swimming in the boiling river was fantastic fun, this was anything but fun. It raises serious concerns about the cost of our winter treks into parks like Yellowstone and the lengths sometimes gone to for making it possible for us.

Jan 29th - 13:54pm | pkrnger

I can highly recommend a winter visit to Carlsbad Caverns. Although the bats are gone, so are the summer crowds. The silence while strolling slowly down into the Natural Entrance to the cave along the dimly backlit self-guided trail is overpowering.

Jan 29th - 09:20am | jsmacdonald

Well, that is the Boiling River, a thermal run off which flows into the Gardner River. In the pools where the run-off meets the Gardner, over tiny little waterfalls, the water is as warm as bath water. Now, it was cold getting in and out! However, while you were in it, it was really like the most wonderful bath ever.

Jan 29th - 08:32am | Anonymous

Jim, skinny dipping in mid-winter? You folks bring out the hardiness of life that's good for the soul...I love your spirit! Thanks for sharing the family.

Jan 29th - 07:15am | jsmacdonald

Kurt, I actually packed both my long johns and my swimsuit on our Sunday drive into Yellowstone. We actually posted some pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/GenevieveandRiver/YellowstoneWinter2008 .

‘Study Group’ Meets to Determine fate of Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance

Feb 2nd - 21:57pm | jsmacdonald

It's because I haven't given up hope that I don't accept the false dilemma. It's the deepest form of cynicism to believe that other people (even those who claim they want to work from the ground up) need to be champions for us to give us a voice in the process.

Feb 2nd - 20:22pm | Anonymous

Jim, it's your generation that shouldn't give up hope for change. With Obama there is hope for change. Don't give up so easily!

Feb 2nd - 19:15pm | jsmacdonald

And, the choice that Anonymous provides us is the false dilemma that so many people content with themselves. That false dilemma is why the closed door meetings about Sylvan Pass, wars in far off places, and health care - decisions on which affect how you and I live are lives - happen without our input.

Feb 1st - 09:48am | Anonymous

Looking for a voice in government then vote for: Obama! Want the war machine to exist...then it's McCain! Do you want a cleaner and greener environment then vote for: OBAMA!

Jan 31st - 21:29pm | jsmacdonald

Why do you believe that the vote in November could possibly make a difference on this particular issue?

Jan 31st - 17:32pm | p.scott rattermann

budget cuts have hit everyone somewhere at sometime. it takes better times to support the minority. want better times? november is right around the corner, exercise your right.

Strange Bedfellows: The National Park Service and the American Recreation Coalition

Jan 31st - 11:41am | KSJEn91

Being the co-owner of a four wheeled vehicle that can and often does off road when ever possible in designated park areas, I feel that if my vehicle was polluting the very same places that I enjoy visiting (as much as possible year round), then I don't need my vehicle anymore. It's just that easy.

Jan 30th - 18:59pm | Lars

...."top Interior Department officials -- including the assistant secretary who presides over the national parks -- are preparing to gather in warm, sunny Arizona on Friday to dedicate the "Outdoor Recreation Village" in Glendale...."

Jan 30th - 09:30am | Bill Wade

Another excellent and provocative post, Kurt. There is one point of good news...I think the cozying up of ARC to NPS and vice-versa has diminished measurably under the current Director, compared to her predecessor. But there is still too much of it! Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

Jan 30th - 08:35am | Art Allen

NPT has opened a serious theme for discussion. The NPS has undertaken a commendable process of seeking out and rounding up partners, cooperators, friends, foundations, local governing bodies, in a noble effort to secure support for park fiscal needs and activities.

It's Time to Book Your Summer National Park Vacation

Jan 31st - 10:24am | MRC

Petrified Forest NP has no accomodation, whatsoever, not even a campground. And outside of the park, there are very limited resources, too. When I got there a few years ago, I simply applied for a backcountry permit, caried my sleeping bag, about half a gallon of water and some fruits one mile from the road and out of sight into the hills, and slept under the stars in the desert.

Jan 31st - 09:21am | repanshek

Excellent suggestion! Along with Voyageurs, other parks that don't draw the heavy crowds include Isle Royale, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Kings Canyon, North Cascades, and Petrified Forest. And don't forget the national lakeshores, such as Apostle Islands, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Pictured Rocks and Indiana Dunes.

Jan 31st - 09:15am | Voyageurs Natio...

One way to stay spontaneous but still have a great national park experience is simply to avoid the most popular parks during their most popular times. There are wonderful national park units throughout the country that don't ever get the crowds that Yellowstone and Yosemite do. Others are only crowded at certain times.

Jan 31st - 08:20am | Anonymous

kurt- i find it slightly amusing that the exact next post after the ARC questioning is one telling people to get booking with xanterra. it's not "backcountry permits reservations open" or "slough creek is going to book" it's support the bigger businesses in the park! however, i am just giving you a hard time, keep up the good work.

Using Controlled Burns To Manage Stones River National Battlefield

Jan 30th - 07:40am | jr_ranger

That's an awesome photo.

Jan 29th - 16:51pm | Anonymous

In many areas of this country you can ask Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited for help with a prescribed burn and reseeding the burned area.

Jan 28th - 08:34am | Stuart Johnson,...

Although some of our Stones River staff members have fire management training, our park does not have the internal capacity to manage prescribed burns. Because of this, we work closely with the excellent fire management staff of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

NPS Snowmobile Plan for Yellowstone, Grand Teton Bucks Science, the Public, and Itself

Jan 29th - 16:42pm | Cher

I have had the privilege of visiting Yellowstone on snowmobile twice. I love this trip. There are no crowds, it's like having a private pass to the park. I have to admit, before I went on the trip, I was ambivalent. I'm a conservationist at heart, so I was leaning toward the snowmobile ban. Now, I have to say that I support the limited use.

The Insanity Behind the Christmas Mountains Sale

Jan 29th - 07:21am | jr_ranger

Mr. Patterson should be removed from office. The State of Texas agreed when the land was donated to it that the land would be preserved as a state park. Now, Texas (read: Ye Old Land Commissioner) is going back in its word.

How Many Tourists are Too Many in the Yosemite Valley?

Jan 28th - 21:58pm | Rick Deutsch

Mark,

Jan 27th - 21:50pm | Mark Sutherlin

Thank you for your article about the Yosemite User Capacity Symposium. To my knowledge, your article is the only one published in a news paper.

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

Jan 28th - 09:37am | Jay Ryser

Or, in retrospect, another solution could be possible. Perhaps it's not the elk that are the problem here. It's the encroachment of civilization. We'll barricade highways 36 & 34. Nobody else gets in, just out.

Jan 28th - 09:28am | Jay Ryser

I have mixed feelings about many of the elements here. On one hand, after speaking with many locals in Estes park, I understand that the elk population is out of control, that they can be a nuisance, and even dangerous to the locals (calving in people's gardens and attacking the resident who is unaware of their presence).

Fishers Return to Olympic National Park

Jan 28th - 09:09am | Mike Barlow

I have spent a fair amount of time in WA and OR and have no idea what a fisher is. I looked them up in smithsonian guide to North American Mammals. The link is here: http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=152

Should Anything Be Done With Angel's Landing?

Jan 28th - 08:33am | Bob Janiskee

Park visitors who want to protect their trail-climbing privileges at dangerous places like Angels Landing and Half Dome need to be very careful about the safety measures they demand. The climbing community knows all about the perils of asking for too much.

Jan 27th - 14:20pm | Jeff

I totally agree with Kath's comment. The only suggestion I would add to it is this: while making that last half mile of the climb, there are areas of large gaps between chains. Some of the gaps are in spots where the chains would certainly add to the stability and safety of the climber.

Everglades National Park Asked to Give Manatees Protection From Boaters

Jan 27th - 21:26pm | Kevin

The above mentioned figures were were compiled by USGS from many different agencies/groups. Upon further questioning their lead researcher admitted they can not be deemed as reliable. What can be deemed reliable is the USGS did a manatee study (their first in the ENP) over the past five years. This included sightings, GPS tracking, and carcass recovery.

Park History: Everglades National Park

Jan 27th - 10:58am | Anonymous

we need the CERP like it or not!!!!!

Why Did The Park Service Agree To Secret Meetings Over Yellowstone Snowmobiling?

Jan 27th - 10:06am | Anonymous

Kurt, you do say it like it is! Pure greed!! I wish I could write with such flair and poise..."the pen is mightier then the sword"!

Jan 27th - 09:48am | jsmacdonald

And, frankly, the town of Cody is not involved in the meetings, simply representatives claiming to speak on behalf of the town. In the case of Cody, a grassroots group called "Shut Out" of Yellowstone was propped up by the city to fight this (thus becoming less grassroots over time), but this is a private meeting between power brokers.

Jan 26th - 23:46pm | Merryland

Kurt, I was just gonna say what the article said in the last sentence, so rather than repeat it.... Well said!

Another Snake Story from Everglades National Park

Jan 26th - 23:42pm | Merryland

Snakes? Why'd it have to be snakes? Southern Florida is an ecological mess. There are so many people releasing non-native "things" into the 'glades, canals, swimming pools, and coastal waters. There are thousands of stories like this just waiting to be reported and while entertaining on one level, it's also a very sad statement on humans' unique ability to truly foul things up.

Considering a Hike up Half Dome?

Jan 25th - 11:17am | Kelly Britton

One could also make that the argument that if there were NO cables, the risk/thrill takers would still attempt the climb. Furthermore, the NPS is providing a safer alternative during the warm season.

Paw Print Another Sign That Wolves Might Be Returning to Rocky Mountain National Park

Jan 25th - 07:57am | jsmacdonald

With today's expected change of the rules to allow more shooting of wolves and the plans of wolf management that have been approved for the states (especially those of Wyoming and Idaho), it will be interesting to see whether the expansion of a wolf here and there into Colorado (as well as into other states; for instance Oregon) happens before the wolf populations face decimation.

Jan 25th - 06:09am | mark

Bravo Terry,,,I feel exactly as you do.

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