Court Stops Trophy Hunt of Yellowstone’s Iconic Bears
Judge rules Trump administration unlawfully removed federal protections
It has been 35 years since I visited the park. It is a fabulous place and the bears have thrived. I was there three times. First I worked one summer in the park while attending college. I took my wife and children there twice.
The bears blocked the roads begging for food and people would feed then through slightly lowered windows.
The American bison was once nearly extinct in North America, but this iconic symbol of the American West has largely recovered through the efforts of various public and private agencies. Many herds thrive in national parks and preserves, like the one here making its way through a snowy Yellowstone National Park. The bison endure food shortages in winter only to gorge on spring and summer grass as they fatten up and prepare for another year.
If you have not visited Yellowstone National Park you have missed on of the most spectacular places in the world. The Buffalo (American Bison) are everywhere in the park. You may see them as you are waiting to see Old Faithful spew its water jet or you may see them walking along side of the road you are traveling. If you are planning a trip contact me. I have been there three times and would willingly go along for another trip.
I worked in Yellowstone National Park when I was a college student. That was a long time ago. The place is gorgeous. It’s the scenery and wildlife that cannot be found in many other places in the United States.
I remember the issues related to feeding the bears who stood in the middle of the roads begging for food. Traffic would be lined up for a mile of more as cars drove slowly past the bears. About every third or fourth car would stop and the passengers would lower their windows just an inch or two to give a begging bear some food. Employees at the park called these events “bear jams.” Every once in while a bear became angry and ripped open a window. There were lots of frightened tourists.
Abyss Pool, Yellowstone National Park, Water temperature 192 degrees
Taken with a Kodak Pony 35MM Camera.
The board walks in the geyser areas all had signs warning visitors not to leave the walks. You could see the water in those pools and geysers was boiling hot. Steam was emitting from them. Some pools had signs by them indicating the temperature of the water.
Mammoth Hot Springs. A dirty old slide taken with a Kodak Pony 35MM Camera.
Similarly there were signs warning visitors to stay away from close encounters with wild life. So when a Black Bear approached our patio dining area in Sequoia National Park we quickly went into the cabin. The bear broke open a can of tomato sauce and ate the contents as we watched through a window.
There have been deaths as a result of exiting trails and climbing on rocks in the Merced River near Yosemite Falls.
So when someone is killed as a result of not following the posted instructions who is to blame?
Twenty three year old Colin Nathaniel Scott thought he was wiser than park rangers.
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