Yellowstone National Park

President Reagan was the first to allow fire arms in national parks but they could not be loaded and they had to be put away. Now President Bush has loosened the rule to allow loaded concealed weapons in national parks. This rule applies to states that allow permitted concealed guns in state parks for people who have concealed gun permits. So now when you go through that gate to Yellowstone National Park it is legal for permitted concealed guns to go in too.

As someone who has frequently gone through those gates I can say that no one ever asked if I had a weapon so I suppose they still won't ask that question. But I can't help but wonder if it will somehow change the character of the park and its' visitors. There are few attacks on people by wild animals and these animals usually attack novice visitors who don't store food correctly. So that wise and seasoned visitor who has a concealed gun permit to carry in their concealed gun will be safer than they have been in the past because their gun will be loaded and ready? It seems to me the legislation could have been left alone but I suppose that President Bush wanted to go out doing as much as possible for the NRA.

This is Main Street in Livingston in December.

Winter is the best time for visiting Yellowstone to watch wolves. The snowy landscape makes for a bright background for the brownish gray and black canines. The north entrance of the park is the only door open in the winter. You get there by turning south on Highway 89 off of Interstate 90 at Livingston Montana. Then you drive south for about 50 miles until you reach Gardiner Montana.

The only road open between late October and late April leads you right to the Lamar River Valley. There are two packs that roam this area. It is easy for a novice to start wolf watching- all you do is go to the park and stop when you see a small group of people with binoculars,scopes and telephoto lenses.

Watching a pack race across the landscape is very exhilarating. Sometimes you can watch them lounge and around and even playing with each other. It is a great way to spend a winter day. If you choose to ski or snowshoe you can sometimes hear a pack howling. They sing beautifully.

Many local hotels will give you a wolf watching package deal in the winter. There are also several guides who make a living guiding and know everything there is to know about where the wolves are and how to track them.

Check out this map. The nps.gov site is a very good source of information about Yellowstone. The direct link is in the module below.

You can almost be sure to see a moose along the Lamar River in the winter. They are amazing majestic animals. If you've never seen one or just haven't seen one recently it is worth moving from wolf watching in the Lamar River Valley and then moving eastwards toward the North East Entrance of the park. If you wander slowly and keep a keen eye on the river you will probably catch a moose on your camera lens!

Some say that bears sleep all winter but it simply isn't so. Grizzly bears will wake up occasionally and go looking for snacks. It isn't hard for a grizzly bear to find the carcass of an animal that couldn't make it though the winter. Grizzlies in this sleepy state move somewhat slower than in the summer. If you are lucky you will find one that is at least 200 yards away having lunch. If you do you can probably watch for quite some time.

Spring is the classic time for grizzly activity in the park. In May when the park has just opened most of the roads you will often be able to watch grizzlies. They are very hungry in the spring. Never approach a bear of any kind. Park officials track the bears and there probably be a ranger on hand before you get there.

In the height of summer it will be a bit more difficult to see one but not impossible. The heat and the tourist drive them up higher to cooler ground. You can still see them but they may be further away than other times. Bring a good pair of binoculars when you visit the park. You will want them for far more than just grizzly watching.

Interested visitors to the park know a couple of secrets that your average tourist does not. You can go to a little office in the Visitor's Center in Mammoth Hot Springs and get all kinds of coveted information from the rangers who work there. You must have a backcountry permit to hike and camp in nonpublic areas of the park. Many experienced park visitors choose this path. You can get permits for a long list of ranger stations(see www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm). In the winter you can take a Yellowstone Snow Coach into the park from the north entrance at Gardiner via Livingston Montana. Then go backcountry from deep within the park.

It is possible to enjoy this heavily traveled park and not have to see many people in the warmer months of the year. You can also get your permit via USPS mail. There is a downloadable form on the www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking website.

Backcountry hiking and camping is not to be taken lightly. You will have to follow strict regulations for storing food. People do get attacked by bears in the park if they are not very very careful with food storage.