Posted on 12/05/2017 5:06:04 AM PST by marktwain
On Aug. 25 a Snake River fisherman in Grand Teton National Park scared off a grizzly by firing his handgun. The grizzly, which had two cubs, stood on its hind legs but did not charge before the Star Valley resident discharged his weapon, aiming toward the ground.
“The fisherman was issued a mandatory appearance citation for discharging a firearm within a national park,” a Grand Teton park statement said. “Initial reports indicate that the fisherman had bear spray but was unable to use it.”
§ 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets.The violation, as far as I can determine, is for (b) (1) (iii), Using a weapon, trap, or net. From chapter 36, Penalties shall be a fine or imprisonment up to six months.
(a) None of the provisions in this section or any regulation in this chapter may be enforced to prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm, including an assembled or functional firearm, in any National Park System unit if:
(1) The individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and(b)
(2) The possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the State in which the National Park System unit is located.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and parts 7 (special regulations) and 13 (Alaska regulations), the following are prohibited:
(i) Possessing a weapon, trap or net
(ii) Carrying a weapon, trap or net
(iii) Using a weapon, trap or net
How in the world is it reasonable to prohibit discharging a firearm in the wilderness?
You know the joke about how they can tell it was a grizzly that got you?
There are bells in the bear poop.
It is a National Park, and if you do discharge a weapon, you have to explain yourself. Sounds actually reasonable to me. When folks are in a national park, I don’t think they want to deal with people shooting up the place like other forests.
My local forests, where there is shooting? Total bs, the shooters never clean up their mess nor do they typically follow the simple rules.... like not shooting at or across hiking and motorcycle trails.
I’m a huge advocate of the 2nd amendment, but the shooting people have a ton of morons and goons in their ranks.
Some hundred or so yard away, I think that is the closest you are supposed to come to a grizzly or bison in Yellowstone, there was a creek. On the other side of the creek, maybe 20 feet, there was a grizzly rooting around in the bushes.
Right up at the creek there were maybe 3 dozen tourists crowded together and snapping pictures, just like the bear couldn't be across that creek and among them in a second and a half.
I've heard that the bear won't bother you, if you don't bother it. But it's the bear that decides when he's bothered.
These people vote, too, which scares me more than a bear would.
Great points!
Particularly your voting analogy!
.......this year, I bought a new boat with a very sturdy cabin on it. It would not STOP a determined GRIZ but it would sure give me some warning and slow him down. Better to waking up to a kiss from a Grizzly. I’ve heard their breath is awful also.
Great. No hunting or target shooting covers that. Not that I agree there should be no hunting.
My local forests, where there is shooting? Total bs, the shooters never clean up their mess nor do they typically follow the simple rules.... like not shooting at or across hiking and motorcycle trails.
Shame. I shoot in the forest all the time, it's five minutes from my house. I don't see much of any of that. mostly clay pigeons and the occasional shot up beer cans. We pick those up as we can. Occasional dork, but really not a problem. I do admit to leaving my 100 yd target stand out there. But it's wood. I haul my bench back and forth.
A bears breath smells of pepper spray from other hikers and hunters : )
The stuff I carry, about 30 feet. At which point you can count the pointy teeth. And yes, I have seen Griz in the wild.
It's a judgment call. If Mr. Bear is only following, curious or actually stalking, then a ground spray in front of him or her is pretty effective, which is what all these "studies" are reporting. However, if the bear has committed to an attack profile, forget it. They'll charge right through that mist and you won't like what happens next. What the rangers carry is shotguns loaded with slugs. I'm taking that as good advice.
I just bring with me a sociology major from a local university to negotiate with the bear, and it’s always good - leading to a treaty signing and a deescalation of violence..
LOL, .................not where I encounter them on the Yukon River. Most of the time theres not another human being around for 50 to 100 miles depending on where you are.
With the right shot placement a grizzly can be killed with a .22.
Golly gee, I’ve never heard that one before.
Yes..but it makes me smile every time.
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