Attn: those who ski/bike/climb or kayaking in our National Parks

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Here's my take, paddling kayaks, canoes, and even a raft or row boat is acceptable and low impact on the park. they're quiet, and move in a natural flow.

Bikes are unacceptable because they stress the wildlife. Take for instance you come ripping down a singletrack around a corner doing 20 mph and there's a bear and her cubs, or any other animal. That's just not a good thing. At least snowmobiles make noise and give animals some warning of your presence, even though I also disagree with snowmobiles in the park as well.

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Whatever man, you have no idea the mental trauma some poor fish suffers when their nice jaunt up the stream is interrupted by a giant pink/orange/yellow/whatever monster blocks out there sun while giant blades of death threaten to slice up the poor suckers.

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

..you come ripping down a singletrack around a corner doing 20 mph and there's a bear and her cubs

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That would stress you too.

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

The animals actually adapt quite well to autos, etc. in the Summer, that's why you don't have to leave your car to see about every animal the park has to offer. However, in the Winter, some dumb redneck chasing animals on a sled when they're already weak, cold and hungry is beyond lame.

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Do we want animals to adapt to cars, snowmobiles, cyclists, horses, etc? The fact that bears swarm cars and campsites is depressing. They're gleaning off of us instead of doing what bears do-hunt and forage. The more we invade their space, the less they can rely on instincts. That's why wilderness is important to preserve in general. It's also why it sucks when "troubled" animals end up getting shot or put to sleep. They're just doing what they know how to do. We're getting in their way. That's not to say that we should stop visiting areas that are the habitats of wildlife--we should simply be mindful of how our presence, whether it's in a car, in a boat or on a bike, horse or by foot influences that wildlife, and try to create as little impact as possible.

According to the laws do they allow motorized drills to be used in the wilderness area for bolting or do they have to be hand drilled?

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Originally Posted by boobookitty

Do we want animals to adapt to cars, snowmobiles, cyclists, horses, etc? The fact that bears swarm cars and campsites is depressing. They're gleaning off of us instead of doing what bears do-hunt and forage. The more we invade their space, the less they can rely on instincts. That's why wilderness is important to preserve in general. It's also why it sucks when "troubled" animals end up getting shot or put to sleep. They're just doing what they know how to do. We're getting in their way. That's not to say that we should stop visiting areas that are the habitats of wildlife--we should simply be mindful of how our presence, whether it's in a car, in a boat or on a bike, horse or by foot influences that wildlife, and try to create as little impact as possible.

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This thread is about Yellowstone National Park, and all of my comments have been about the Park. As far as animals in general, yes, I'd have to agree with you.

Isn't Yellowstone the park with the biggest (or most notorious) wildlife infringement issues? Isn't Yellowstone also the only park that allows snowmobiles? It also sees an incredibly high amount of car camping and vehicle traffic within it's borders. I think it was stated earilier that some of the reasons more sports aren't allowed within park borders is because that would continually increase the amount of disturbance caused to the very things that make the park great: nature being nature.

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Originally Posted by boobookitty

that make the park great: nature being nature.

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Minus some geo-thermal activity and a few sweet waterfalls, Yellowstone is a big zoo without fences.

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Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski

According to the laws do they allow motorized drills to be used in the wilderness area for bolting or do they have to be hand drilled?

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Hand drilled only in Wilderness Areas.