By Chad Love

Officials at the Grand Teton National Park have revised their wildlife-watching guidelines in response to the spate of recent bear attacks in national parks and across the country.

From this story in National Parks Traveler:
"...The need for the revisions arose as more and more visitors took to the roofs of their vehicles to photograph bears and, in at least two instances, the bears took exception and charged the vehicles, according to park officials. While park guidelines long have said visitors should not approach within 100 yards of bears and wolves, or within 25 yards from other animals, including nesting birds, the updated regulation now specifies that "remaining, viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears or wolves" is against park regulations. With highly photogenic grizzly sows No. 399 and No. 610 -- and, this year, their five cubs -- regularly frequenting the park's front country, more and more photographers realized that they could get some great shots of them if they just waited long enough, Grand Teton spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said Thursday.

"They sit and park for 12 hours a day where they think they’re going to get shots of these bears," she said. "Other people who drive by think, 'Oh, that’s a great thing to do.'” The result is not just road shoulders lined with cars and trucks, but with people sitting atop those cars and trucks hoping for a great photograph to return home with, said Ms. Skaggs. When the bears arrive to this mass of humanity, problems can quickly arise, she said.

I drove through a national park. Once. I foolishly thought cutting through the park would shave a few hours off the long drive back to Oklahoma. I entered the park with a full tank of gas and a fully-provisioned truck. I emerged 17 days later, confused and emaciated, talking gibberish and reeking of diesel fumes, with an image of the ass-end of a never-ending train of RV's permanently burned into my retinas. I couldn't  imagine how bad it would be with thousands of vehicles parked on the side of the road for hours on end, waiting on a bear.

Reaction? Perhaps we should ban vehicles altogether? Build a huge parking lot at the entrance of our parks and issue each visitor a bicycle and a can of bear spray, make them sign a waiver, give them a map and then send them on their way to determine for themselves just how close is too close?

Just a thought...

Comments (10)

from Mike Diehl wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

The photograph says it all, as far as I'm concerned. One raggedy looking bear, 8 cars, and a bunch of amateur photographers snapping their "omigod itsa bear" shots. If I want that kind of experience I can cross the street and visit the Reid Park Zoo.

Is there any time of year you can visit a decent national park and not see hordes of primates?

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from Mike Diehl wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

Put another way. I can go deep into AZ Unit 34a or Unit 32, and on the right day see damb near nobody and still see a relatively beautiful landscape on a reasonably cool October day, and see maybe 1 or 2 cars for the day.

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from Bernie wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

I am glad we have National Parks, but I must say they are not my favorite places to visit for several reasons, some of which you mentioned: The moronic public, the unending stream of vehicles, the Park personnel who are intent on "babysitting" you if you camp. Yeah, I'd love to see vehicles banned from the parks but that will never happen. Parks are the only contact with nature that the masses ever see. I choose to go somewhere else.

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from Clay Cooper wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

A bike, spray & precoroner information form of next of kin notification to pick up the body etc.

YA' THAT's IT!

But ya'know, sounds like a darn good idea, come swooping around a corner and there they iz!

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from GERG wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

Can you say Darwinism!?

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from RJ Arena wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

The problem is the peak times of the year. In August,Yellowstone is a parking lot. In October and November it is a winter wonderland. I agree Mike, that if all you want is a photo go to the zoo, or better yet, download a pro's photo. It reminds me of the folks that go somewhere with the camera glued to their eye balls, never living in the moment of the experience, but they have recorded it, to be viewed at a later date!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ishawooa wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

Bernie pretty much says it all. I live 50 miles from YNP but tend to avoid it in when the "people of summer" are there. Spring and fall it is vastly different as is winter. The thundering herd of humanity screws up the whole deal, not the animals, and the rangers are caught in the middle.

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from Gtbigsky wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

I forget where Ive seen this sing, but it goes something like this.

Warning! you are entering into bear country
all hikers and horeback riders are encouraged to carry bells and pepper spray.
it is important that you be able to identify what kind of bears are in the area
a good way to tell is by examining bear dropping. if you look closely you will see that black bear's dropping will consistantly contain berry seeds, grass and acorns. A grizzly bears dropping contains bells, and is spicy.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

I'm hoping that the recent attacks and coverage scare some of these urbanites away. It's hard to watch them try to get themselves killed or otherwise disturb the wildlife.

I watched one tourist get way too close to two of the biggest bull elk I've ever seen (anywhere) to get a photo in YNP. I think they might have stomped or gored him if they weren't still in velvet. As you can imagine, I was rooting for some action.

I've said it before, and this is actually counterproductive to the purpose of the National Parks, but I feel like there should be some sort of common sense test you have to take before you can enter. Maybe accompanied by an online course you have to take beforehand. It just drives me nuts to have them ruin it for the people that know how to use their heads and enjoy the scenery and fauna the right way.

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from steve182 wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

Wild animals with adequate means to protect themselves (teeth, claws antlers, hooves, etc.) will occasionally show these city-dwelling "animal-lovers" who's boss in their neck of the woods. In order to love these animals you must respect them, and that means giving them a wider berth than may make for a good picture. Of course we don't want these idiots to get hurt, but a good scare might get the point across.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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from Mike Diehl wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

The photograph says it all, as far as I'm concerned. One raggedy looking bear, 8 cars, and a bunch of amateur photographers snapping their "omigod itsa bear" shots. If I want that kind of experience I can cross the street and visit the Reid Park Zoo.

Is there any time of year you can visit a decent national park and not see hordes of primates?

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Mike Diehl wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

Put another way. I can go deep into AZ Unit 34a or Unit 32, and on the right day see damb near nobody and still see a relatively beautiful landscape on a reasonably cool October day, and see maybe 1 or 2 cars for the day.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Bernie wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

I am glad we have National Parks, but I must say they are not my favorite places to visit for several reasons, some of which you mentioned: The moronic public, the unending stream of vehicles, the Park personnel who are intent on "babysitting" you if you camp. Yeah, I'd love to see vehicles banned from the parks but that will never happen. Parks are the only contact with nature that the masses ever see. I choose to go somewhere else.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from RJ Arena wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

The problem is the peak times of the year. In August,Yellowstone is a parking lot. In October and November it is a winter wonderland. I agree Mike, that if all you want is a photo go to the zoo, or better yet, download a pro's photo. It reminds me of the folks that go somewhere with the camera glued to their eye balls, never living in the moment of the experience, but they have recorded it, to be viewed at a later date!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ishawooa wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

Bernie pretty much says it all. I live 50 miles from YNP but tend to avoid it in when the "people of summer" are there. Spring and fall it is vastly different as is winter. The thundering herd of humanity screws up the whole deal, not the animals, and the rangers are caught in the middle.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Gtbigsky wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

I forget where Ive seen this sing, but it goes something like this.

Warning! you are entering into bear country
all hikers and horeback riders are encouraged to carry bells and pepper spray.
it is important that you be able to identify what kind of bears are in the area
a good way to tell is by examining bear dropping. if you look closely you will see that black bear's dropping will consistantly contain berry seeds, grass and acorns. A grizzly bears dropping contains bells, and is spicy.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from steve182 wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

Wild animals with adequate means to protect themselves (teeth, claws antlers, hooves, etc.) will occasionally show these city-dwelling "animal-lovers" who's boss in their neck of the woods. In order to love these animals you must respect them, and that means giving them a wider berth than may make for a good picture. Of course we don't want these idiots to get hurt, but a good scare might get the point across.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Clay Cooper wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

A bike, spray & precoroner information form of next of kin notification to pick up the body etc.

YA' THAT's IT!

But ya'know, sounds like a darn good idea, come swooping around a corner and there they iz!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from GERG wrote 1 year 46 weeks ago

Can you say Darwinism!?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 1 year 45 weeks ago

I'm hoping that the recent attacks and coverage scare some of these urbanites away. It's hard to watch them try to get themselves killed or otherwise disturb the wildlife.

I watched one tourist get way too close to two of the biggest bull elk I've ever seen (anywhere) to get a photo in YNP. I think they might have stomped or gored him if they weren't still in velvet. As you can imagine, I was rooting for some action.

I've said it before, and this is actually counterproductive to the purpose of the National Parks, but I feel like there should be some sort of common sense test you have to take before you can enter. Maybe accompanied by an online course you have to take beforehand. It just drives me nuts to have them ruin it for the people that know how to use their heads and enjoy the scenery and fauna the right way.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.