Tourist plus moron equals “touron.” And there are just far too many in the national parks. This time a Yellowstone touron who evidently thought he was above the law found out he wasn’t—and could spend six months in jail to gain wisdom.
Park visitor calls out Yellowstone touron
The tourist who was flying a drone near an osprey nest in Yellowstone National Park was cited last week after a fellow visitor reported the incident to rangers. Vince Botkin, a regular visitor from rural southern California, said he spotted the drone buzzing the nest in the Lamar Valley on Thursday and immediately called it out.
“You see both osprey look up and take off in a panic,” Botkin told Cowboy State Daily. “That’s the most flagrant violation I’ve ever seen.”
Drone use is strictly prohibited in national parks and can carry penalties of up to six months in jail or a $5,000 fine. A National Park Service spokesperson confirmed a citation was issued to an unnamed individual for flying near an osprey nest.
“Mind your own business” escalates to drone intimidation
Botkin said he yelled at the drone operator to land the aircraft and then approached the man, who claimed he didn’t know the rules. “He told me to mind my own business,” Botkin said.
Things escalated when the drone pilot allegedly hovered the aircraft directly over Botkin’s head. “I took off my cowboy hat and threw it at the drone,” he said. “Didn’t hit it, but he got the message.”
Later that evening, park rangers visited Botkin’s campsite to thank him for reporting the incident—and to share that they’d caught the suspect the same day. Botkin said the rangers even laughed when he told them about the hat toss, noting the Yellowstone touron claimed the hat had been thrown at them.
“Always someone doing something dumb around animals”
Despite the disturbance, Botkin checked on the osprey the next day. “They seemed fine,” he said.
He hopes his actions serve as a reminder to respect park rules and protect wildlife. The case of the Yellowstone touron was a bit much for Botkin. “There’s always someone doing something dumb around animals,” he said. “But this one was over the line.”
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RVT1213b
Flying drones, getting too close to bison, it must be idiot season in the National Parks…and elsewhere of course
Wow, good for him. Incredible how many visitors claim “they didn’t know”, either lying or because too lazy to read the rules. Never mind common sense…
We have a drone and did not know it is illegal to fly in all national parks. However, we have never flown it in any park. Common sense and respect for wildlife and people seeking solitude. I also believe helicopter tours over parks should be illegal for the same reason
I am a drone pilot – no, not in National Parks: At the family shared summer cottage, bald eagles were nesting less than a 1/4 mile away. A family member asked me to look in the nest. I looked at this family member and asked this person to write me a check for a new drone. I got a really funny (and not ha-ha) look. I pointed out that the parents even when not on the nest would be watching and protecting the eaglets. My copter blades might hurt that eagle, but I was confident my drone would be in pieces below the nest.
Another example of totally oblivious turons.
You cannot fix STUPID.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! My, my, my … . 🙁 Six months almost seems too short a sentence, but … . Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Well, … seems as though a lot of people have yet to be introduced to some of the basic tenets of civilized society. Perhaps there are reading comprehension short-comings that need addressing? Seems like a lot of work educating folks needs doing. Have a great weekend and safe travels!