Date: October 9, 2007
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2010
Contact: Stacy Vallie, 307-344-2012
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2007 07-98
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2010 or 344-2012
----------------------------------------------------
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
----------------------------------------------------
Hunters Reminded of Yellowstone Regulations
With the opening of hunting seasons on lands surrounding Yellowstone National Park, hunters are reminded that hunting is not permitted within the park. Though most of the park boundary is well marked, it is the responsibility of the hunters to ensure they do not hunt within the park.
The Lacey Act and the Code of Federal Regulations strictly prohibit the killing or removal of any animal, living or dead, from inside Yellowstone. This includes animals legally shot outside the park which then cross into and die within the park boundary. Taking and removing any animal parts, including shed antlers, is also prohibited.
Violators are investigated and aggressively prosecuted and are subject to penalties including fines, restitution, and the forfeiture of vehicles, equipment and personal property associated with the violations.
For example, a Montana man plead guilty in District Court in Wyoming in early September for felony charges associated with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and misdemeanor charges of illegally killing and transporting an elk in Yellowstone. He currently awaits sentencing in Federal Court in Casper, Wyoming, after pleading guilty on three separate counts in connection with killing a bull elk near US Highway 191 inside Yellowstone National Park in late 2005. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines or restitution.
Firearms may be legally transported through the park in vehicles if they are unloaded, broken down so they can not be fired, cased and stored to prevent ready use. Firearms are prohibited anywhere in the park's backcountry.
Stock users are reminded that proof of a current, negative Coggins test is required for all horses and mules being transported into or through the park.
Game animals may be transported through Yellowstone on park roads in a motor vehicle only when accompanied by a transport permit from the National Park Service (NPS) and bearing a valid state tag as evidence that the animal was taken legally outside of the park. Permits to transport game animals through Yellowstone must be secured before entering the park. They can be obtained at any park entrance station or by calling (307) 344-7381 and arranging to meet with a ranger. Game animals cannot be transported on backcountry trails or stored overnight anywhere in the park, including campgrounds, parking lots or at concession facilities.
Visitors or hunters who observe illegal hunting activity within the park should call the NPS tip line at (307) 344-2132. In some cases a cash reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone illegally using or possessing firearms in the park or illegally killing or transporting wildlife in the park.
- www.nps.gov/yell -
