Vol 3, #103

   Friday, December 10, 1999

YELLOWSTONE
WEATHER
Highs 30s, Lows 10s
Partly Cloudy
 

Yellowstone Net Home Page
 

ROAD REPORT
North entrance
open only.
 

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael Finley announced today that a reward of up to $500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally killing a cow elk on the west side of the park sometime before November 27, 1999.

Park rangers discovered the elk carcass near milepost 24 on U.S. Highway 191 on Saturday, November 27, 1999, and believe it was killed several days earlier. A preliminary investigation indicates the animal was likely shot from the highway during the night.

The public is reminded that hunting is not permitted within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. Though most of the park boundary is well marked, it is the hunters' responsibility to insure that he or she does not hunt within the park. Hunters are urged to exercise caution when hunting near the park boundary and avoid shooting from or into the park. Anyone contacted inside the park with a dead or wounded animal or suspected of removing a dead animal from inside the park will be charged under Federal law. Violators are subject to fines, the confiscation of equipment, and possible prison sentences.

Superintendent Finley urges individuals with information on this incident to contact park headquarters at (307) 344-2120. All information is confidential and individuals are not required to give their name.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) --  Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael Finley reports that park staff have completed the process of clearing rock and debris off the North Entrance Road south of Gardiner, Montana, following a rock slide that occurred on Saturday, December 4, and the road has been reopened to the public (as of 5:30 p.m. this evening).

The rockslide occurred shortly after noon on Saturday, December 4. Park staff were in the area when the slide occurred, and they immediately closed the road. The slide covered both traffic lanes, was approximately 40 feet in length, with a depth ranging from 5 to 7 feet and rocks estimated at up to 4 feet square.

After consulting with geologists and other appropriate experts, the decision was made to use explosives to remove a large fractured slab of rock that had separated and was leaning away from the cliff face close to where the slide occurred. The slab and surrounding area appeared to be very unstable. On Monday, December 6, park staff placed explosives at the base of the rock slab and were successful in knocking down the unstable rock.

For the next few days, travelers on the North Entrance Road may expect some minor delays as final clean up operations continue. Caution is advised for possible additional rocks on the road.

"We again want to express our thanks for the support and understanding of the affected communities. We know this was a difficult and uncertain period for many," Superintendent Finley noted. "Yellowstone's staff have worked many long, hard hours to accomplish a smooth operation in all ways. I, for one, am grateful and proud to be working with such caring and competent people."

Information on current road conditions can be obtained by calling (307) 344-2117.

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The dispute over salt-baiting Yellowstone's elk continues.  A Park ranger and two Wyoming outfitters recently went public with their charges that at least one Wyoming outfitter was using artificial salt licks at Yellowstone's southern boundary, on U.S. Forest Service land, to draw elk across the Park line for hunters to shoot.  The U.S. Forest Service prohibits salting in wilderness areas.  Although one of the outfitters so charges denies the practice, several Yellowstone rangers who patrol the Park's southern borders are convinced that the practice is taking place, although they admit it is hard to prove.

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GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- If conditions allow, the snowmobiling season in Grand Teton National Park will commence on December 15.  The Teton Park Road will be open right away, and the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail will open when enough snow has accumulated to allow grooming and safe passage.  In addition, ranger-led snowshoe hikes will begin on December 26 at the Moose Visitor Center, and will be offered at 2:00 PM daily, except Wednesdays.  Reservations are required for the snowshoe hike, but the snowshoes will be provided.

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