[LouD]

Are you saying people are stupid and careless? Are you saying they don't follow rules while in parks and forests? Are you saying people are at fault? Do you think people will change? Well...lets open more forest and wilderness areas for people then.

After a week in the backcountry of Yellowstone a few years ago, I was hanging out talking to a ranger. He told me about people who smeared their children's faces with jelly, so they could capture a photo of a bear licking the child's face.

That said, I think there are two separate populations that visit parks and forests.
-The naive, seldom off-trail, polyester-wearing, RV driving slugs who are there for a Disney outdoor experience, with flushable toilets and a nice gift shop.
-Serious backcountry users.

By all means, keep the "Yogi and BooBoo" crowd where they are, in a herd waiting for Old Faithful, and listening to a ranger warn them about all the dangers out there off the trail. Open up the wilderness areas for those who can handle it. I've been in bear country many times, and I've never had a problem. I consider myself fortunate when I get to see a bear, but I always give them space, make lots of noise on the trail (bear bells, etc) and carry bear-sized pepper spray and/or a large caliber handgun.

[ZULU]

"After a week in the backcountry of Yellowstone a few years ago, I was hanging out talking to a ranger. He told me about people who smeared their children's faces with jelly, so they could capture a photo of a bear licking the child's face."

They probably watched too many Walt Disney movies.