Yellowstone Park seeks Illegal snowmobilers | Billings Gazette

[Ediacara]

Park seeks Illegal snowmobilers

By MIKE STARK
Of The Gazette Staff

Five snowmobilers illegally rode into Yellowstone National Park's backcountry last week in what may be the biggest case of its kind investigated by park rangers.

The snowmobilers crossed the park's western boundary from Idaho on Feb. 5 and rode for more than 45 miles, slicing off young trees and driving over meadows, canyons, frozen waterfalls and off "dangerous cliffs," the Park Service said Thursday.

"We have had incursions into the backcountry before but I haven't heard of one that has been this extensive," said Cheryl Matthews, a Yellowstone spokeswoman.

Park officials are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the illegal snowmobilers.

More at the Billings Gazette

[waylon]

1. frozen waterfalls, Laugh!

If this is the biggest "case" on their plate, we need to reign in the budget!

Sorry but I live a few miles from yellowstone and this type of story is clearly nonsense. You dont ride over frozen waterfalls or off dangerous cliffs. And if they really knew how many sleds got in the park, why are they looking for witnesses or information on them?

The truth... Uncle jed took his boys up the hill, turned around and went home. 9 time out of 10 thats what these "stories" turn out to be.

[Tempest]

2. It does happen, a lot

The sons of friends of mine in Montana go extreme snowmachining all the time.

They sometimes go in groups of 20-30 people.

Waterfalls and cliffs are child's play to them.

[waylon]

7. No ,it doesnt

and waterfalls dont freeze unless they are nothing more than trickles. Want pictures?

Its laughable how sooo many people who live sooo far away can make judgements on this. Childsplay you say? And that is... what? A crime now?


Sorry Im ranting but this issue hits close to home, literally!

[Tempest]

11. What does living so far away have to do with it?

I've traveled extensively through the area, both in the summer and winter.

And apparently you don't know what the underlying issue is.

The issue is the pollution the snowmachines cause and the damage it's doing to the park.

[waylon]

14. THAT is what living so far away is all about

The underlying issue is NONEXISTANT. With a very few exceptions, snow machines do absolutely NO damage EVER at ANYTIME.

I was on board with clinton and his legislation, until I moved here!

[Tempest]

17. You just contradicted yourself

You first say the "issue is nonexistant", and in the very next sentence you say "with very few exceptions".

So which is it?

[waylon]

18. Both

It is an artificially created issue brought about by a very small select crowd. Most dont live anywhere near here and have no idea, first hand, as to what they are talking about.

They rely on anecdotal evidence to prove the great environmental disaster that they purport to be concerned with. This led to unneeded legislation that hurt us little guys.

To be sure, there are a few environmental issues with snow machines. The same can be said with cell phones, wind mills, and the manufacturing processes that produced your computer monitor!

[LostInTheMaise]

27. No it is not. Not any more.

>The issue is the pollution the snowmachines cause and the damage it's doing to the park

The ONLY snowmobiles allowed in are the new EPA approved sleds that pollute LESS and are QUIETER than the noisy, dirty, and smelly snowcoaches that are the choice of the people suing to keep snowmobiles out.

[curse10]

21. I've got pictures

tell me that's a "trickle of water"

Waterfalls freeze.

[waylon]

23. wheres the snow machine?

[Ediacara]

3. Well.....

Snowmobiles, since there in snow, leave tracks, and I'd imagine if they could follow the tracks of a group of snowmobilers for 45 miles, regarless of if they went over waterfalls or not, it's reason for concern. I really doubt this is a case of Uncle Jed, or accidental entry.

[waylon]

10. Why is that a reason for concern?

Just wondering

I should think that closing our national parks to "people" would be a matter of concern, am i wrong?

[Tempest]

12. And that's exactly why they closed the park to snowmachines

The pollution from the snowmachines is causing great damage to the park.

And the noise from the machines are ruining the experience for everyone else.

Not to mention the problem of snowmachiners chasing the bison around.

[waylon]

15. One at a time...

Pollution. Not even close to an issue in comparison to the summer traffic. Not even close. You want to turn it into Yosemite where Ashcroft himself must first "authorize" your admittance? Nobody up here does.

Noise. The only people in yellowstone in the winter are ON snow machines!

Animals. No, they dont get harrassed, no they dont get run over (good luck if you do), no they dont suffer any ill will from snow machines. If you see one, and that is an IF, they run off like they do in the spring and summer. No difference. If you are dumb enough to chase a buffalo on a snow machine, you get what you deserve!


And, they didnt close the park to snow machines. Clinton limited the numbers.

[LostInTheMaise]

26. The new rules don't allow two-smoke polluting sleds

Therefore your charge of "The pollution from the snowmachines is causing great damage to the park" is moot and false.

Also, the noise from the new (and ones only allowed in Yellowstone) EPA approved snowmobiles is far far less than the currently allowed snowcoaches and even the straight pipe Harleys that ride the SAME roads in Summer.

BTW, snowmachines DON'T chase Bison around. One or two idiots on skies, snowmachine, bikes, snowshoes CHASE BISON AROUND. Don't blame a claen and fun means to see the hundreds of miles of snow-covered PAVED ROADS for chasing Bison...it's the moron that chase Bison. Punish them and not all decent snowmobiling families.

[MrsMatt]

13. correct me if I'm wrong

but i don't believe snomobiles are prohibited in Yellowstone. What is at issue is snowmobiles operating in areas that are not designated for snowmobiles. It's trespassing and vandalism.

[waylon]

16. Correct

And 9 times out of 10 its uncle jedd taking the boys out for a ride. It then turns into an environmental catastrophe the likes of Exxon Valdez!

It might play in other areas but it doesnt up here.

[bluestateguy]

4. How to deal with illegal snowmobilers

I'd have helicopters chase them down. If they do not stop, the copters should fire missiles at the snowmobiles. I have zero tolerance for people who think that our national parks are a playground.

[waylon]

5. Not effective........

without tactical nukes.

[Tempest]

8. How about DU shells instead of nukes?

They'd punch a hole right through the cowling and do some major engine damage without exploding.

And you would have to worry about the driver, the radiated dust will take care of them.

[LostInTheMaise]

25. How are they on the more polluting snowcoaches?

Since the new EPA approved snowmobiles are smoke free, quiet and lighter with less footprint why not give them a chance?

[LostInTheMaise]

6. You support the death penalty for disturbing snowpack?

How liberal of you. Check the charter for Yellowstone: "A pleasuring ground for people to enjoy".

I doubt making tracks in snow warrants death by missile and am surprized you call for it.

[Tempest]

9. Did you lose your sense of humor somewhere?

Nothing more tragic in this world than a sense of humor without someone to call its own.

[LostInTheMaise]

22. My sense of humor is quite intact

I'd no sooner shoot a missile at a snowmobiler making tracks in snow that disappear in Spring than I would a spandex clad X/C skier with a snobby attitude.

The people without a sense of humor are those that assume all snowmobilers are scum.

[maxsolomon]

19. let a hungry buffalo take one step OUTSIDE the boundary

and BLAMMO! the death penalty for those 'brucellosis carriers'!

until snowmobiles are utterly silent & run on moonbeams, i say keep them out.

[waylon]

20. I thank you for not living, or voting, in my state

[bobbyboucher]

28. Your "snowmachines" (is that what you call them now?)

are a nuisance. Why don't you lazy folks snowshoe into the park, or cross-country ski? The park wasn't created for loud-ass, polluting, snowmachines or whatever to scream all through the park during winter, carrying overweight thrill-seekers and joy-riders.

It is for everyone, not the few. It shold be protected even to the point of rigidity. There's plenty of open space out there for snowmachining. Go find some. Get out of the park.

[LostInTheMaise]

32. You don't dictate who can see the park and when

The new EPA approved machines are no worse than the vehicles that travel the same roads in the Summer. You have NO justification to tell my family we can't ride the same asphalt roads with a clean and EPA approved machine.

My family is neither overweight or thrill-seekers and we just want to see Old Faithful in the Winter. You CAN'T ski there because it is over 70 miles round trip.

Don't EVER tell another American to "get out of the park" when they are obeying all the rules and riding a vehicle that is cleaner than most RVs that visit in the Summer.

[waylon]

34. snowmachines are a nuisance?

When was the last time you were anywhere near one? Honestly... have you ever even been close to one? Or is this some nonsense you are repeating? Too much discovery channel CAN be a bad thing!

snowshoeing, skiing etc etc... remember those conveyences the next time you need a gallon of milk. Or, the next time you want to see a movie...or anything. Dont pollute my air with your combustion engine, you dont need a doughnut that bad, do you?

The park wasnt created for "loud-ass, polluting, snowmachines or whatever to scream all through the park during winter, carrying overweight thrill-seekers and joy-riders." but.... "it is for everyone". Hmmm, ill have to take that logic in for a tune up!


Before you pass judgement on anything, or anyone, you might want to learn more about it. After all, this discussion wasnt created for weak kneed whiners who dont get out of the house! It should be protected even to the point of absurdity. Theres plenty of topics out there, go find one. You are sooo far out of your league you'd need a compass to find your way back... and snow shoes!

[LostInTheMaise]

24. But loud, noisy, smelly, crowded snowcoaches are ok?

Last time I checked the snowcoaches didn't run on moonbeams and in fact the new EPA approved snowmobiles are cleaner and quieter than the outdated snowcoaches. That is a fact.

[bobbyboucher]

29. Ban the snowcoaches too.

Go in the park with snowshoes, or just wait till you can hike in in the spring. It doesn't hurt to keep the people out during winter. Especially those on machines.

[LostInTheMaise]

30. Oh please. Answer this simple question...

How do you propose to make the 70 mile round trip to Old Faithful over the snowcovered road from West Yellowstone on skies or snowshoes with you family?

In the Summer you drive there and all is well with MILLIONS of vehicles making the trip. Why deny people the experience to see the park in the Winter with your sensless rules?

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[havocmom]

33. if it's snow mobiling season

where can I get a tag?

I have been around those "quieter, less emmissions" machince and it is realative. They may be quieter than the 2 strokes, but they emmitt a deafening racket. Less emmissions? The 2 strokes must really be bad cuz the state of the art model zipping by me made me vomit.

Many people do enjoy Yellowstone on snow shoe and cross country skis. They don't tend to destroy young trees, harass wildlife already under stress due to winter conditions or engage in high marking. Snowshoes and skis tend not to require transponders as the operators of them tend not to make such a racket as to cause avalanches which require search and rescue workers to risk life an limb digging people out of snow.

Wanna burn a lot of dead dinosaurs, make a stink and a lot of engine noise... go play on a freeway.

[waylon]

35. nonsense

destroy young trees...do you mean as opposed to the millions of urbanites that come through every summer?

harass wildlife already under stress or engage in high marking....like folks are running down buffalo and bald eagles every day, that kind of harrassment?

transponders.... are you talking about yellowstone or mars?

[havocmom]

36. Did you not read the news report?

or do you only see what you want?

From the news article:
"The snowmobilers crossed the park's western boundary from Idaho on Feb. 5 and rode for more than 45 miles, slicing off young trees and driving over meadows..."

Sounds like tree damaging to me.

[waylon]

37. Yep and...

I read a news report about Iraq cooperating with Al Quada too!

Gotta be true huh?

Especially, ESPECIALLY in this case, be careful you dont believe everything you read. There are alot of underlying motivations to these types of stories.

Remember, the ELF are environmentalists AND terrorists. Just because someone feigns support for the enviornment doesnt mean they arent also off balance, so to speak.

[havocmom]

38. no ELF supporter I

Nor any other fanatics who cannot see there are ways to get along and keep a healthy environment.

There are lots of places to play with internal combustion engines.
Use snowmobiles where they will not damage the treasure that is Yellowstone.

Use snowmobiles as tools to get in and out of ranches, homes and towns when the snow hits hard. They are a wonderful tool.

I really get tired of hearing guys bragging about running down animals in their machines. Not very manly. I also get tired of pissing away fossil fuel needlessly. Not very thrify. Guess I just want to leave a bit of this wonderful world to future generations of humans and wildlife. Yellowstone is a heritage to be protected, not a freeway.

[havocmom]

39. and did you notice the lovely pictures posted above

of the frozen waterfalls? Some do freeze. When you have lived in Montana a bit longer, perhaps you will get to see some amazing things. One sees them better at a slower pace. I heartily recommed walking.

[waylon]

41. I live in idaho!

There are more sides to the park than montana, ya know?

Did you notice any snow machines in those pictures?

[waylon]

40. been to yellowstone?? ever?

how did you get there? How did you get to work today? Car? Snowshoes?

Who has been bragging to you about running down animals on snow machines? Ive lived here a long time, never heard of anyone doing it. Been in the park every winter for the last 10 years, never seen it. You must be frequenting some other yellowstone, perhaps?

Yellowstone doesnt suffer from pollution any more than anywhere esle. I really get tired of people who have never been here screaming that the next cigarette that is lit will destroy the park. Guess I would just like to keep this wonderful world, and park, open for all generations.

Its not your park to close.