Reading about the formation of national parks north and south of the border was an interesting read to say the least.
I'm glad that some people moved to conserve these swathes of pristine land full of natural beauty from exploitation of their resources with the public ideals of manifest destiny being at the forefront in the 19th and 20th centuries, but I think these parks have evolved slowly into being slightly overbearing with rules and regulations.
The land and the species within their "borders" can be preserved in all their glory to thrive for decades/centuries to come while also keeping visitors physically safe from natural threats as well as able to experience these places without the anxiety of feeling grossly underprepared when wildlife does come into close proximity because the overbearing parks people want to abolish nearly all means of self-defense because the public is viewed as totally inept at outdoorsing responsibly.
And i wouldnt trust most people as far as I could throw them. But the general public tourist types the parks want to herd and restrain aren't the ones you find 40km deep in remote wilderness. I would've trusted Doug and Jenny as two experienced enthusiasts of the outdoors to have those means to use in an emergency such as this.
The backcountry is too vast and remote to be monitored and patrolled effectively by the handful of guys cleared to carry guns. Until they can be more efficient at intervening to protect people out there, maybe exceptions should be made.
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