[pct-l] Search and Seizure

[freehueco at yahoo.com (Michael Deitchman)]

 Here are some of my thoughts on this. I may not be a
lawyer or in law enforcement, but I do have a
wilderness permit from this week, from Kings Canyon.

 KCNP is one of those places where you are 'required'
to have a permit and a bear cannister. I can't see how
they can legally require you to have a permit to enter
the backcountry, but that's a matter for a lawyer to
get into...

 On the back of the permit, it has a list of 'Minimum
impact Regulations'. The only mention of bear
cannisters reads 'Use of bear canisters is strongly
encouraged'. It also says 'Use food storage lockers
when available'. Here's a scan of the permit:
http://www.freehueco.com/avatars/permit.jpg

 The only thing on the park's website I can find about
a penalty refers to feeding the bears. Presumably they
have to actually see you feeding the bears.

>Food storage is required as black bears are at home
in >these parks. Their natural habitat is the forests
and >shrublands below 8000' (2438 meters), but they
will >frequently roam above these elevations in order
to >steal food from backpackers. Federal regulations
>require proper food storage and prohibit feeding of
>any park animal. Violations of these regulations will
>result in a fine of up to $5000. Even stronger than
>legal obligations is the moral responsibility to
>respect the wilderness you have come to enjoy.
>Careless food storage spells death for bears. When a
>bear repeatedly obtains human food and garbage, it
>becomes destructive and dangerous, and may have to be
>killed. You have entered the bears' territory; learn
>how to protect your food from bears, and don't let
>your carelessness destroy them in their own homes.

=====
Don't panic!

" The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing."
http://www.freehueco.com


		
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