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A Sad Sign of the Times: NPS Promotes Body Armor Options To Rangers

Apr 8th - 16:49pm | Fred Miller

Good points Kurt. I will carry in the backwoods no matter what. I just hate to think that I am a "criminal" if I do so. For me, I have made the decision to provide a Ranger any assistance I can if the situation ever arises. I hate to think our Rangers need body armor because they might encounter a poacher, a "coyote", or a drug dealer. I hope this attitude gives me a little credence.

Apr 8th - 16:30pm | repanshek

You know Fred, in the long run how this issue will be resolved is out of our hands and I've just been interested, primarily, in the debate.

Apr 8th - 16:29pm | Joel

LOL...sad sign of the times? That is a joke. The Rangers are the ones talking about how they need to be armed for crowd control. Are they afraid we're going to speak out against their dictatorship? Why don't they just put us in helmets, boxing gloves, shackles, straight jackets and muzzles as we go through the park? Isn't that the only way we can truly be safe from one another?

Apr 8th - 16:12pm | Fred Miller

Kurt, you said: "And is it merely coincidence that the following release comes as top Interior Department officials are moving to allow more guns in the national parks?" My question is: "Who is going to be carrying these more guns? Answer: Good guys like me and the other 5 million CCW holders in our country.

Apr 8th - 15:35pm | RangerTyler

I think there is no relationship between the body armor and recently proposed legislation to restore Second Amendment rights to law abiding national park visitors. If there is empirical evidence otherwise, please share. Sign of the times? Absolutely. Storm troopers in national parks show that our country has devolved to a police state.

Apr 8th - 13:45pm | Anonymous

I believe in the 2nd amendment. The rangers, in NP cannot protect us legally-armed citizen. You just do not have enough rangers (Congressional fault). If I can pass the test for a carry permit, why can't I carry? I have never had a gun go off accidentally, like the latest "armed" pilot. I still would like to know what stupid stunt that pilot was performing.

Judge Gives Two Sides Additional Week to Resolve Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Issue

Apr 8th - 16:16pm | Anonymous

What you failed to mention was that the DOW and AudubonSociety are poart of the negotiation group that is supposed to be resolving this situation. Too bad that they weren't getting everything that they wanted, since this is what precipitated the lawsuit, but that is what negotiations are for.

Apr 8th - 15:57pm | Jon

This whole "compromise" is complete bull. No input has been given by those who actually live or make a living on these islands. DoW and Audubon are not looking to "compromise" anything. They are looking to shut the islands off from any and all human activity that can't be walked in.

Apr 8th - 15:39pm | RangerTyler

"Driving rights"? I must have missed that part of the Constitution in my ConLaw class. Perhaps it's time for an ammendment...

Apr 8th - 15:16pm | Breck Smith

I been driving on these beaches since 1974 and they are taking our beach to drive on away little by little.The NPS has more than enough roped off for the birds and turtles on these beaches and in my opinion they have to much roped off and not enough ORV access already.I hope the judge thinks hard about what a blow this will be to the economy in Eastern NC if our driving rights are even (Serverl

Apr 8th - 14:54pm | Anonymous

It is truely sad to me that because of the lack of action on the part of the NPS to create a long term solution (as mandated 30 years ago) they left the door open for DOW and Audobon to sue for a complete closure of the points and spits at the beach.

Apr 8th - 14:51pm | Anonymous

On an earlier posting readers were directed to a information piece provided by the Southern Environmental Law Center explaining the reason for their current litigation. http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/hatteras/index.htm

Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West

Apr 8th - 14:35pm | Lone Hiker

Exotic species is certainly a more appropriate designation than invasive, as the desert wild horses have demonstrated none of the prototypical biological characteristics that would warrant the invasive label to be laid on their doorstep. But based on the history of critter solely as established within the author's writings, exotic isn't quite a fair or accurate designation either.

Apr 3rd - 16:21pm | Bob Janiskee

Two items: 1) John Brian is quite right about the feral horses in eastern parks. I should have pointed out that they are habituated and intensely managed. Even though they may be free-roaming, and may technically be considered wild, they are certainly not wild in the true sense that the western mustangs are.

Former National Park Service Directors Urge Interior Secretary To Keep Guns Out of Parks

Apr 7th - 16:29pm | RangerTyler

Joel has driven the point home.

Apr 5th - 16:56pm | Joel

It's good to see that so many people haven't read the proposed legislation again. This "rule change" would only allow those people who YOUR STATE has already determined have passed the necessary courses in order to carry a weapon on their person.

Apr 4th - 14:44pm | Fred Miller

With permission, I quote "Anonymous" who said it much better than I can:

Apr 4th - 13:43pm | RangerJim

There is no absolute in any law. If we want to take the 2nd Amendment argument to legal extremes, we would be encouraging children to bring guns to school, and everyone else to carry weapons into government buildings, bars, etc. But this is outlandish, and the law clearly prohibits these actions, just as it prohibits loaded weapons in national parks.

Apr 4th - 12:30pm | Anonymous

Well said, Kurt. Let's hope the NRA isn't able to push guns into our treasured national parks. The NRA is trying to create a society where gun-owners' rights trump the rights of all other Americans. The gun lobby apparently doesn't care if this results in more gun violence - we are told that is not even a consideration.

Apr 4th - 11:11am | repanshek

Ranger Tyler, how is the constitutional issue being avoided? Doesn't the Constitution provide for the establishment of laws, and isn't the current regulation a law?

Apr 4th - 10:45am | RangerTyler

This site again avoids the Constitutional issue. As an anonymous commentor has already voiced, if you don't want people to carry loaded arms on federal land, work on amending the Constitution. Red herring arguments, like safety or necessity, ignore the 2nd Amendment.

Man Drowns During Rafting Trip Through Grand Canyon National Park

Apr 7th - 13:06pm | Kevin Eddy

I ran Hance the day after the accident. The water was HUGE. We had heard about a death the day before. I also heard from another group that the man who died was complaining of chest pains and was dizzy the night before.

Senators Pushing To Allow Concealed Weapons in National Parks

Apr 7th - 13:05pm | Lone Hiker

I must assume your comments were pointed in my direction due to your poor reference to my user ID. The only item that should confound you is your and many other posters to these gun issues lack of original thought regarding methods of self-defense.

Apr 6th - 20:04pm | Anonymous

Your lack on understanding confounds me. You must live in a shell and never be exposed to the real world if you don't believe the necessity of self defense and firearms. Maybe you will turn up as one the the "lone hikers" found to be the victim of crime on a hiking trail with no way of defending yourself.

Should Uranium Mining Be Allowed Outside Grand Canyon National Park?

Apr 7th - 11:15am | Harold J. One F...

I agree with you to a point: Extractive Energy Sources such as uranium mining also produce air pollution in their logistics, i.e., ore extraction, ore processing, ore transport.

Lake Powell Expected to Rise 50 Feet This Summer

Apr 7th - 10:43am | brendabrn

Unbelievable! We are now lamenting the natural flow of snow-pack to river, & the attitude that we need to intervene in natural processes to make it 'easier' for visitors. This makes me gag.

Body Found Below South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park

Apr 7th - 05:49am | Anonymous

Condors are an asset to nature. Often misunderstood, they play a major role in keeping "Mother Nature" clean!

Would a Change in Gun Laws Be a Threat to National Park Bears?

Apr 6th - 23:29pm | Anonymous

Its not up to you as to who can have a gun in the park, it's a matter of my right to have a gun!

Violent Deaths in the National Parks

Apr 6th - 14:01pm | Fred Miller

Nicely said Hallie.

Apr 6th - 04:01am | Hallie

Citizens can always count on wisdom and swift justice from Big Brother. Right? But, oh-by-the-way, some "public land" isn't safe for law abiding citizens because criminals are permitted to reign supreme. Still, it is against the law for law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in a National Park. Personal interest ahead of the law, you say? No. A right.

Park History: Isle Royale National Park

Apr 6th - 11:04am | dharma bum

Paul Gruchow included a beautiful essay in his collection "Boundary Waters: Grace of the Wild" about hiking Isle Royale. I would highly recommend it, whether or not you have visited or wish to visit the National Park.

Apr 4th - 16:06pm | Michelle

Find time and visit this enchanting and wild Isle. You will never see a more spectacular shade of blue than you will witness from Look- out- Louise as you view Lake Superior. Raspberry Island with its wildflowers and bogs makes one imagine that's how the earth would might have smelled on the first day of creation........clean healthy earthy!

Apr 3rd - 19:50pm | Ben

Lakeside camping sounds wonderful. I love being able to camp in the woods in the remotest of locations. Too bad it's so far away.

Apr 3rd - 19:11pm | fhasti

I have hiked this park for two weeks right after it opened for the season back in 1996. It was one of the best experience I've had yet in my 40 years. Somehow I lucked out and had perfect weather which I hear is unheard of for that time of year. I hiked the east side for one week and the west side the next.

Apr 3rd - 16:20pm | Bob Janiskee

Two of Nevada Barr’s mystery novels, “A Superior Death” and “Winter Study,” are set in Isle Royale National Park. A Superior Death (“who killed the diver?”) was the second of the 14 books in the park-based series featuring fictional ranger Anna Pigeon. Winter Study, which involves scientists studying Isle Royale’s wolves and the moose they prey on, was just released a few days ago.

Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Apr 5th - 19:56pm | Mark

Walking is beter for you, of course. It seems that you'd have to watch the trail constantly rather than lifting your head and eyes to view the sights around you on a bike trail. No? Except for those with bad knees, back, etc., why? What's the point of it?

Apr 4th - 10:30am | Anonymous

I still call it a fat man's toy. If you can't walk your dead!

Apr 4th - 07:37am | ole trailer

i been walkin trails since i could walk!!! it crazy that you would want to roll instead of useing your good ole legs leave your stuff inside and hit the trail running feet first!!

Who Visits Alaska's National Parks?

Apr 5th - 07:49am | Josie

I'm trying to hit all of the national parks. I'm a big passport buff. Been at it for 10 years now and for Christmas upgraded to the new large passport. For information on Alaska National Parks see: http://www.ouramericanparks.com/Alaska-National-Parks.html

Apr 4th - 11:37am | Dean

I'm going to Denali to go backpacking this summer. It will be my third consecutive annual visit to Alaska, and I hope to keep that trend up. Last year I didn't visit a national park, but a state park. The year before was Wrangell/St Elias. I'd like to visit the more remote parks, and Gates of the Arctic is my goal for next year. But the costs are a challenge.

Battle Mounts Over Off-Road Vehicles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Apr 4th - 21:00pm | Anonymous

I couldn't agree more with Jimmy, my wife and I have been visiting Hatteras for the last couple years and it is now a mandatory vacationing spot. To close the beaches to all ORV traffic is just ridiculous not to mention the economic impact on all the local business. One more point before I go, these people that are saying that the ORV's are leaking oil on the beach..

GAO Finds Fault With Management Plan For Yellowstone National Park Bison

Apr 4th - 18:55pm | Pronghorn

Marylander, making the park larger would likely never fly in these here parts--the guvmint is already an unwelcomed intruder. Parks are more restrictive than other public lands (no huntin' or trappin' or rippin' it up on ATVs & snowmobiles in national parks).

Apr 4th - 07:02am | Marylander

We know where the bison go when they leave the park boundaries, this isn't a mystery. It would have been better to use that 16 million to buy up land on their usual path to protect the bison! 16 million would have made a nice start in purchasing more land for the park, at least. For those of us in D.C. however, we just roll our eyes at the mess the government created...

Appellate Court Rules Against Yosemite National Park

Apr 4th - 17:27pm | Mark

There is a blind faith sentiment from many of the public and media to believe the National Park Service when they make eloquent and lofty environmental statements. When such statements come from Yosemite's Park Spokesman, Scott Gediman, the public wants to trust that they mean well that that there is no hidden agenda.

Groups Sue Cape Hatteras National Seashore Over ORV Traffic

Apr 4th - 12:56pm | Mr Bovine Ordure

I've been coming down to the Outer Banks every year save one since 1965. Hatteras Island for the last 15 years. We always got a house very close to the southern edge of Avon. To date, I've never seen anyone doing donuts, or driving recklessly (On the beach.... highway 12 might be another matter).

Benefit Planned for Joshua Tree National Park

Apr 4th - 12:17pm | Kelly Fuller

Thank you, National Parks Traveler folks, for posting this.

Decommissioning National Parks: Some History, And Some Ominous Clouds

Apr 4th - 11:55am | Michael Kellett

This is a terrble, incredibly short-sighted idea. The "we can't even afford to take care of the parks we have" argument is totally bogus.

Acreage Donated to Expand Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Apr 4th - 10:57am | Anonymous

the headline is misleading - donating is giving - he did not give he sold.

Death Valley May Be On Lookout For Steve Fosset

Apr 4th - 04:08am | Teren proiect i...

This unique national park is open all year, but winter is the best time to visit the points of interest in the valley. The long, hot summer - from May through October - is only for the hardy and venturesome. Many of the side roads from the valley are closed during this season, but you will find the higher and cooler Panamint Mountains quite comfortable.

Electric Map Going Away at Gettysburg National Military Park

Apr 3rd - 12:26pm | Save The Electr...

It is never to late. Go to www.SaveTheElectricMap.com and take action. Email a friend.

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