[pct-l] Search and Seizure

[radpin at gmail.com (Eric)]

I've never used a bear canister before, and have been in plenty of
areas that have bears. I've seen them up close, always see their
tracks, but I will admit I've never been in a "bear problem" area. All
the spots I normally hang out in are fairly desolate, and bears are
still eating berrys and other plant products. They haven't wised up to
the fact that backpackers tend to be a loaded lot, carrying all kinds
of yummies.

I'll probably do some more research on a bear canister, and if I chose
to use one, I'll have it sent out to me, and then I'll send it back
home where it will live on a shelf for probably the rest of my life.

But similiar to the police stopping me when driving, if someone asks
to search my car, I will always say "No." Even when backpacking I'm
sure I'll be carrying around something that the thousands of pages of
laws I'm governed by says that I shouldn't, and I'd rather not waste
my time getting hassled by anyone from a law enforcement agency. If I
choose to use a bear canister, it's because I'll do the research and
come to a conclusion on whether or not it's a good idea. I'm not a
total moron; if it's evident that I should use one, I will.

I could have the snazziest canister in my pack; the ranger doesn't
have the right or my consent to search my pack and see it. Sorry.

In regards to the argument of a cop asking for your insurance, in the
sense that you have to provide it and it isn't a "search", wasn't that
law amended into all the state consitutions so that they could ask for
it? Furthermore, how does the ranger know that I don't have a pack
full of pillows and I just happen to be walking around for no good
reason? Do even day hikers need bear cans? Many ultralight hikers
(which I'm not 100%) have packs looking fairly similiar to day hikers.
It just seems a little vague, and too much discretion at the control
of the rangers. And not only that, but I really hate it when law
enforcement officials stray outside of the bounds imposed upon them by
the very people who have opted to have them in place (you and me).

In regards to fees, I pay them with an open wallet. With the amount of
joy I get out of the wilderness, I have absolutely no problems buying
whatever permits someone asks for. I'm in the Sierra club, and donate
as much money as I can on a yearly basis to 501c3's (that I can in
turn right off on my taxes). It's money that if I didn't give to
environmental groups, more than $0.50 to the dollar would be used for
weaponry.

Eric






On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 10:14:34 EDT, lonetrail@aol.com <lonetrail@aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 10/10/2004 10:34:30 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> DAVCATDAV@aol.com writes:
> 
> Dave  writes...I'll buy you a beer at that trail  town we
> both get to...but  you're gonna have to forgive me smiling at you kinda
> funny
> That's all we need to have drunken hikers on the trail. I think our
> government should pass Legislation banding drunken hiking with stiff fine and  for
> repeated offenders or three strikes with mandatory life sentences.  We need to
> keep our trails safe at all cost. God bless big government."God as in
> Goverment".
> 
> Lonetrail
> 
> 
> 
> 
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