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Yellowstone News • Re: Good News On Soda Butte Creek Cleanup
That's great news about Soda Butte, Mike. It's one of my most favorite fly fishing streams in the Park. Good to hear that it's on the road to recovery.
As to the halt of mining in the Paradise Valley, I sent an email not long ago to Jon Tester (our senator) to thank him for introducing and pushing through the bill in Congress that prohibits hard rock mining in the Paradise Valley. The Mine near my house wanted to expand its mining operation. While the Mine is the #1 tax payer and employer in our County, sadly, most people don't have a clue on how destructive a hard rock mining operation can be, not only to the environment but, more importantly, how detrimental it can be to the health of the local human and wildlife residents who live there. Jon has always been a hard line democrat. So we haven't agreed on much over the years. But when Jon introduced and pushed the bill through Congress that saved the Paradise Valley from mining, I jumped for joy....no kidding. In fact, I was so ecstatic that I sent Jon an email to thank him for all his efforts to help protect and preserve the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. When it comes to Yellowstone and its extended treasures in the gateway communities, politics are put aside. Montanans will always pull together in a united effort to help save, protect and preserve what they hold dear to their hearts...YELLOWSTONE. What Jon did for all the folks who love Yellowstone and the Paradise Valley, made me proud to be a Montanan and grateful that we have a senator like Jon Tester to represent us. Heck, if he continues down this path of doing good, I might even consider voting for him in the next election.
As to the halt of mining in the Paradise Valley, I sent an email not long ago to Jon Tester (our senator) to thank him for introducing and pushing through the bill in Congress that prohibits hard rock mining in the Paradise Valley. The Mine near my house wanted to expand its mining operation. While the Mine is the #1 tax payer and employer in our County, sadly, most people don't have a clue on how destructive a hard rock mining operation can be, not only to the environment but, more importantly, how detrimental it can be to the health of the local human and wildlife residents who live there. Jon has always been a hard line democrat. So we haven't agreed on much over the years. But when Jon introduced and pushed the bill through Congress that saved the Paradise Valley from mining, I jumped for joy....no kidding. In fact, I was so ecstatic that I sent Jon an email to thank him for all his efforts to help protect and preserve the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. When it comes to Yellowstone and its extended treasures in the gateway communities, politics are put aside. Montanans will always pull together in a united effort to help save, protect and preserve what they hold dear to their hearts...YELLOWSTONE. What Jon did for all the folks who love Yellowstone and the Paradise Valley, made me proud to be a Montanan and grateful that we have a senator like Jon Tester to represent us. Heck, if he continues down this path of doing good, I might even consider voting for him in the next election.
Statistics: Posted by yellvet — Sun Apr 28, 2019 3:53 pm
Author: yellvet
Posted: April 28, 2019, 9:53 pm
Yellowstone News • Re: New Thermal Area
Interesting. Reading that article reminded me that I have an infrared thermometer. I should bring that with me when I come out.
Tom
Tom
Statistics: Posted by tlveik — Sat Apr 06, 2019 6:56 pm
Author: tlveik
Posted: April 7, 2019, 12:56 am
Yellowstone News • New Thermal Area
A new thermal area has been discovered in the Sour Creek area near the existing Tern Lake thermal area.This was mostly discovered by thermal imaging and satellite photos.Quite amazing how quickly a large are of trees were taken out.
https://www.iflscience.com/environment/ ... llowstone/
https://www.iflscience.com/environment/ ... llowstone/
Statistics: Posted by Mike — Sat Apr 06, 2019 11:46 am
Author: Mike
Posted: April 6, 2019, 5:46 pm
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
Thanks, Yellvet, for the update on the proposed legislation. That would be great if this passes. There should be a buffer zone for the apex predators around the parks. I give Montana credit for taking a look at this as. Hopefully, Wyoming and Idaho will do the same.
--Bill
--Bill
Statistics: Posted by billandkaren — Fri Mar 29, 2019 11:39 pm
Author: billandkaren
Posted: March 30, 2019, 5:39 am
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
Here's the latest on some of the recent wildlife protection bills that have been introduced in the MT state legislature:
https://www.humanesociety.org/news/legi ... islature-0
https://www.humanesociety.org/news/legi ... islature-0
Statistics: Posted by yellvet — Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:26 am
Author: yellvet
Posted: March 20, 2019, 4:26 pm
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
I'll just be straight up with my strong viewpoint , without political influence or bias either side.
How 700 to 750 of "anything" much less once near eradicated grizzly, could be declared as "Recovered." Then introduce state self described "Trophy Grizzly Hunting" .....twice yearly for a rug......makes zero sense however spun.
State management of grizzlies already proved disastrous results by 1970's with estimate survival of 150 max in entire eco system! Now the States want management control all over again? If real state control/management intentions were sincere, then relucatantly state experiment again.....but without any trophy hunting as a proposed state management component.
*Consider....WY F&G 2018 reported over 7,000 Trophy Grizzly Hunting Applications, from far and away, for state grizzly "quata trophy harvest" Take the benefit spin out of pro grizzly trophy propenents, then evaluate the likely direct and collateral bear elimination biannual hunting would present under state control. A "win-win?"
My opinion is post Court ruling reinstating ESA protection. It's a given challenges will arise and likely expand for quatas and geographic trophy hunting. The 7,000 initial trophy hunt applications may look like a very small number........
How 700 to 750 of "anything" much less once near eradicated grizzly, could be declared as "Recovered." Then introduce state self described "Trophy Grizzly Hunting" .....twice yearly for a rug......makes zero sense however spun.
State management of grizzlies already proved disastrous results by 1970's with estimate survival of 150 max in entire eco system! Now the States want management control all over again? If real state control/management intentions were sincere, then relucatantly state experiment again.....but without any trophy hunting as a proposed state management component.
*Consider....WY F&G 2018 reported over 7,000 Trophy Grizzly Hunting Applications, from far and away, for state grizzly "quata trophy harvest" Take the benefit spin out of pro grizzly trophy propenents, then evaluate the likely direct and collateral bear elimination biannual hunting would present under state control. A "win-win?"
My opinion is post Court ruling reinstating ESA protection. It's a given challenges will arise and likely expand for quatas and geographic trophy hunting. The 7,000 initial trophy hunt applications may look like a very small number........
Statistics: Posted by BobTN — Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:30 pm
Author: BobTN
Posted: February 28, 2019, 6:30 am
Yellowstone News • 2017 Yellowstone Wolf Report Released
The NPS/FWS 2017 Yellowstone Wolf Report is available online
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/u ... -FINAL.pdf
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/u ... -FINAL.pdf
Statistics: Posted by Mike — Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:01 am
Author: Mike
Posted: December 15, 2018, 4:01 pm
Yellowstone News • Re: 926F killed
What a shame! I know it's "legal," but still ... I was SO thrilled when I actually saw a wolf in Yellowstone, and then to think of someone just shooting one for the "sport" of it ... it's just sad.
Statistics: Posted by Dorothy — Wed Dec 05, 2018 8:31 pm
Author: Dorothy
Posted: December 6, 2018, 3:31 am
Yellowstone News • Re: 926F killed
Why couldn't they just go to a museum?
Statistics: Posted by rzrpirate — Fri Nov 30, 2018 4:58 pm
Author: rzrpirate
Posted: November 30, 2018, 11:58 pm
Yellowstone News • 926F killed
Wolf 926F, alpha female of the Lamar Canyon pack, wandered outside park boundaries into Silver Gate and was legally (if not morally) shot and killed by a wolf hunter.
Statistics: Posted by RikWriter — Thu Nov 29, 2018 4:54 am
Author: RikWriter
Posted: November 29, 2018, 11:54 am
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
Yellvet, thanks for your reply and I respect your opinion. However, not sure I agree with certain aspects. I realize it is a very complex issue and there are no simple answers. I don't think that the economic issues should drive policy, but the argument can be made that having a healthy population of bears and wolves has greatly contributed to the huge economic benefit in tourism dollars being spent in the three states you refer to. I do recognize that there is no hunting allowed in the parks, but that doesn't guarantee the survival of the species. There was no hunting in the parks when the grizzlies were moving dangerously close to extinction in the yellowstone ecosystem back in the 1970's. I also realize you can't have bears and wolves roaming the countryside and neighborhoods unchecked. But I don't think we are anywhere close to that now. I think the plan to compensate ranchers for their losses is a wise one and should be given more time. Yes, I'm sure it is a bit of a pain for them. But there are places in Europe where wolves have lived with sheep herds and losses have been minmal. I believe this is due to well-trained sheepdogs watching over the flocks. We need a healthy and diverse population of these apex predators to ensure their long term survival. (The Florida Panthers are a prime example of what can happen when a population becomes isolated).
Statistics: Posted by billandkaren — Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:40 pm
Author: billandkaren
Posted: October 14, 2018, 3:40 am
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
Bill, you may want to read this article at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/w ... ration.htm
Hunting has never been allowed inside the Yellowstone NP boundaries. And, as far as I know, that's not going to change. Since you have a home close to Yellowstone, remember, that you'll always be able to bring your grand kids to Yellowstone to see the grizzly bears and wolves. The hunts are only going to be conducted outside the Park boundaries.
I lived in the extended protective zone of Yellowstone when the wolves were first re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995. But the wolves wouldn't stay in the Park. They were wandering all over the Beartooth Mountains and were often seen in our local area. We even saw them in our back yard. In the late 90's the wolves began killing our neighbor's livestock as were grizzly bears. The ranchers were used to dealing with grizzly bears but the wolves had them really angry and frustrated since the federal govt was protecting them. Many of our long-time ranching neighbors suffered numerous livestock losses which equated to a significant loss of their annual income. So I've always been torn on who to support and where to put my allegiances...my ranching neighbors who kept our house from burning to the ground in the 2006 Derby wildfire or to the wildlife activists. The ranchers tried so hard to live with the wolves in our area and had gone to great personal expense to keep their livestock protected. They hired and paid sheepherders to stay with their sheep 24/7 and also tried to fence their cattle in at night, putting them in pens that that were built next to their homes. No matter what they did, nothing worked. The wolves always seemed to find a way to find and kill their lambs and calves. The state and federal agency officials finally stepped in and began reimbursing ranchers for their livestock losses. But the rancher also had to show proof that the killer of their livestock was a wolf. And that wasn't always EZ. Although the reimbursement helped ranchers financially, in the short term, the amount barely covered the rancher's total expenses and their annual losses which were significant. So many ranchers either left our area or sold out to land developers. So, as you can see, wolves and ranchers near the Park have never gotten along very well...and for good reason. But I've been very encouraged to see how well the states adjacent to the Park (MT, WY and ID) have managed wildlife in recent years in an effort to see that the population of various animal species are monitored closely so the number of the animal species remain robust, strong and healthy. And, IMO, that can only be achieved if sick/injured animals are culled from the herd and/or the state conducts a hunt each year that has specific hunting dates, harvesting limits and hunting restrictions. The WY hunt, for example, limits the grizzly hunt to one male grizzly...no females are to be harvested. If I'm not mistaken, hunters will also be required to take an educational hunting course. Sounds good but I'm concerned about the "know-it-all" gun-crazed hunters who won't be able to tell the difference between a male grizzly and a female grizzly when they see a bear. That may be why MT is not having a grizzly hunt this year. They may want to see how well the WY hunt goes before having a grizzly bear hunt in MT. A state-sponsored hunt can be a win win for everyone, not only for avid hunters, outfitters and wildlife enthusiasts, but also for the state which will get lots of revenue from the trophy hunt fees, that can be used for hiring more personnel and enhanced wildlife management.
No one wants to show their grand kids the iconic Yellowstone bears and wolves, more than I do. But it probably won't happen if wildlife numbers and wildlife health are continually being compromised by sickness,illness, high mortality rates and bad wildlife management. To manage a wildlife species successfully takes a lot of time and money and a lot of dedicated personnel like field technicians, qualified bear specialists, botanists and wildlife biologists. MT, WY and ID are pretty stretched, financially. And to better manage wildlife on a year round basis, the states will need more money and more qualified people. So I'm going to take MT's lead and see how well the WY hunts goes before I find fault with any state-sponsored hunt. Hopefully, the hunts will be successful and the big winners in the long term will be the grizzly bears, wolves, the local residents...and all the wildlife advocates and little critters, like me.
Hunting has never been allowed inside the Yellowstone NP boundaries. And, as far as I know, that's not going to change. Since you have a home close to Yellowstone, remember, that you'll always be able to bring your grand kids to Yellowstone to see the grizzly bears and wolves. The hunts are only going to be conducted outside the Park boundaries.
I lived in the extended protective zone of Yellowstone when the wolves were first re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995. But the wolves wouldn't stay in the Park. They were wandering all over the Beartooth Mountains and were often seen in our local area. We even saw them in our back yard. In the late 90's the wolves began killing our neighbor's livestock as were grizzly bears. The ranchers were used to dealing with grizzly bears but the wolves had them really angry and frustrated since the federal govt was protecting them. Many of our long-time ranching neighbors suffered numerous livestock losses which equated to a significant loss of their annual income. So I've always been torn on who to support and where to put my allegiances...my ranching neighbors who kept our house from burning to the ground in the 2006 Derby wildfire or to the wildlife activists. The ranchers tried so hard to live with the wolves in our area and had gone to great personal expense to keep their livestock protected. They hired and paid sheepherders to stay with their sheep 24/7 and also tried to fence their cattle in at night, putting them in pens that that were built next to their homes. No matter what they did, nothing worked. The wolves always seemed to find a way to find and kill their lambs and calves. The state and federal agency officials finally stepped in and began reimbursing ranchers for their livestock losses. But the rancher also had to show proof that the killer of their livestock was a wolf. And that wasn't always EZ. Although the reimbursement helped ranchers financially, in the short term, the amount barely covered the rancher's total expenses and their annual losses which were significant. So many ranchers either left our area or sold out to land developers. So, as you can see, wolves and ranchers near the Park have never gotten along very well...and for good reason. But I've been very encouraged to see how well the states adjacent to the Park (MT, WY and ID) have managed wildlife in recent years in an effort to see that the population of various animal species are monitored closely so the number of the animal species remain robust, strong and healthy. And, IMO, that can only be achieved if sick/injured animals are culled from the herd and/or the state conducts a hunt each year that has specific hunting dates, harvesting limits and hunting restrictions. The WY hunt, for example, limits the grizzly hunt to one male grizzly...no females are to be harvested. If I'm not mistaken, hunters will also be required to take an educational hunting course. Sounds good but I'm concerned about the "know-it-all" gun-crazed hunters who won't be able to tell the difference between a male grizzly and a female grizzly when they see a bear. That may be why MT is not having a grizzly hunt this year. They may want to see how well the WY hunt goes before having a grizzly bear hunt in MT. A state-sponsored hunt can be a win win for everyone, not only for avid hunters, outfitters and wildlife enthusiasts, but also for the state which will get lots of revenue from the trophy hunt fees, that can be used for hiring more personnel and enhanced wildlife management.
No one wants to show their grand kids the iconic Yellowstone bears and wolves, more than I do. But it probably won't happen if wildlife numbers and wildlife health are continually being compromised by sickness,illness, high mortality rates and bad wildlife management. To manage a wildlife species successfully takes a lot of time and money and a lot of dedicated personnel like field technicians, qualified bear specialists, botanists and wildlife biologists. MT, WY and ID are pretty stretched, financially. And to better manage wildlife on a year round basis, the states will need more money and more qualified people. So I'm going to take MT's lead and see how well the WY hunts goes before I find fault with any state-sponsored hunt. Hopefully, the hunts will be successful and the big winners in the long term will be the grizzly bears, wolves, the local residents...and all the wildlife advocates and little critters, like me.
Statistics: Posted by yellvet — Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:43 pm
Author: yellvet
Posted: October 8, 2018, 10:43 pm
Yellowstone News • Re: The stupidity is now dangerous
Yeah. It's amazing we don't have more tragedies with the way people act. I guess when you consider that millions of people visit the parks, most act responsibly. But we have seen quite a number who are either stupid or just don't care.
A couple years ago we were stuck in a bear jam around Tower where Rosie (I believe) and her cubs were on the hillside making their way down to the road. Some guy drives up the opposite direction, gets only half way off the road and parks his pickup. As he is starting to get out, I rolled down my window and told him that he needed to stay in his truck and get it off the road. He hesitated but decided to go ahead and get out anyway. By then Rosie is right around the back end of his pickup. I could see her but he couldn't. I said in a more stern voice, "Sir, you had better get back in your truck. There is a mother bear with cubs right behind your truck." He totally ignored me and proceded to walk to the back of his truck. Rosie comes around the truck and they face each other not more than five feet away. He then gets scared and runs to the door of the truck, but he apparently locked the door and couldn't get in. He then runs dodging between cars to get away. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so dangerous. Fortunately, Rosie did not react and just continued to cross the road with her cubs behind.
We were out by Sedge Bay on Saturday afternoon the 22nd and drove up the overlook. We did not see any wildlife and nothing out of the ordinary with the tourists. I wonder what time this incident took place? Anyway, we missed the action.
Bill
A couple years ago we were stuck in a bear jam around Tower where Rosie (I believe) and her cubs were on the hillside making their way down to the road. Some guy drives up the opposite direction, gets only half way off the road and parks his pickup. As he is starting to get out, I rolled down my window and told him that he needed to stay in his truck and get it off the road. He hesitated but decided to go ahead and get out anyway. By then Rosie is right around the back end of his pickup. I could see her but he couldn't. I said in a more stern voice, "Sir, you had better get back in your truck. There is a mother bear with cubs right behind your truck." He totally ignored me and proceded to walk to the back of his truck. Rosie comes around the truck and they face each other not more than five feet away. He then gets scared and runs to the door of the truck, but he apparently locked the door and couldn't get in. He then runs dodging between cars to get away. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so dangerous. Fortunately, Rosie did not react and just continued to cross the road with her cubs behind.
We were out by Sedge Bay on Saturday afternoon the 22nd and drove up the overlook. We did not see any wildlife and nothing out of the ordinary with the tourists. I wonder what time this incident took place? Anyway, we missed the action.
Bill
Statistics: Posted by billandkaren — Fri Sep 28, 2018 7:40 pm
Author: billandkaren
Posted: September 29, 2018, 1:40 am
Yellowstone News • Re: Breaking News.... NO GRIZZLY HUNT! Grizzly Bears Protected again....
It seems our victory in stopping the the grizzly hunt may be short-lived. Apparently congress has acted quickly to allow more indiscretionary hunting of wolves (in an immature tit-for-tat response) and seeks to make changes to weaken the endangered species act itself. Like congress has nothing better to do than try and retaliate against this ruling. It takes them years to try and do things like help with the immigration problem or numerous other issues facing our nation. But try to protect our nation's natural iconic creatures and they act in a matter of days.
I hate to see this turn into a political issue. But that is what this administration is doing. As an independent with Republican leanings, I am now being forced to vote exclusively Democrat because I feel very strongly about the issue of protecting wolves and grizzlies for my grandchildren to be able to see and enjoy like my kids and I have done. This will drive my voting in the upcoming elections.
Bill
I hate to see this turn into a political issue. But that is what this administration is doing. As an independent with Republican leanings, I am now being forced to vote exclusively Democrat because I feel very strongly about the issue of protecting wolves and grizzlies for my grandchildren to be able to see and enjoy like my kids and I have done. This will drive my voting in the upcoming elections.
Bill
Statistics: Posted by billandkaren — Fri Sep 28, 2018 6:06 pm
Author: billandkaren
Posted: September 29, 2018, 12:06 am
Yellowstone News • Re: The stupidity is now dangerous
Wow, that is truly a new level of selfishness and irresponsibility. Sigh. Hope they catch this guy and throw the book at him.
A couple of years ago, I was fishing at Trout Lake. There were half a dozen or so people enjoying the warm fall day, when this older man and his small white terrier show up. No leash, not supposed to be there at all. Adding insult to injury was the guy's attitude. He was quite belligerent, swearing at people who were telling him to remove the animal. The dog was pretty annoying, coming up to everyone and sniffing and barking. I might have accidentally stepped on him when he came up to me, oops. There were a couple of photographers on the lake who were trying to get shots of wildlife, and they began following the man and dog and snapping a LOT of photos, to the man's increasing irritation. They also had a radio and managed to hail a park ranger, who apparently met the jerk at the trail head.
Not the same level of dangerousness and stupidity as the recent scofflaw, but in the same vein.
A couple of years ago, I was fishing at Trout Lake. There were half a dozen or so people enjoying the warm fall day, when this older man and his small white terrier show up. No leash, not supposed to be there at all. Adding insult to injury was the guy's attitude. He was quite belligerent, swearing at people who were telling him to remove the animal. The dog was pretty annoying, coming up to everyone and sniffing and barking. I might have accidentally stepped on him when he came up to me, oops. There were a couple of photographers on the lake who were trying to get shots of wildlife, and they began following the man and dog and snapping a LOT of photos, to the man's increasing irritation. They also had a radio and managed to hail a park ranger, who apparently met the jerk at the trail head.
Not the same level of dangerousness and stupidity as the recent scofflaw, but in the same vein.
Statistics: Posted by JennyA — Fri Sep 28, 2018 2:07 pm
Author: JennyA
Posted: September 28, 2018, 8:07 pm