Park’s Wellman talks Christmas

DMN: Mr. Patterson says momentum in D.C. will lead to lifting the ban on guns and hunting in national parks. Is he correct?

Wellman: In national parks, we're not going to have hunting. But there are National Parks-administered areas that do have hunting. Big Thicket Preserve would be one. ... Congress does what Congress wants to do.

I don't believe there's any support at all for hunting on national parks land.

DMN: What about gun possession?

Wellman: The way the current legislation is written ... it doesn't say you can't have a firearm. It says you can't have an accessible firearm. ... The current regulation that's out for public review says that the firearm regulations of the state - particularly concealed-firearm regulations - would apply within the park.

It's not something that's supported by the ranger staffs in the parks. It's not something that the Park Service as a whole ... feels is necessary.

The parks are about as safe a place as you can be in.

DMN: Do the surrounding landowners favor opening the Christmas Mountains to guns and hunting?

Wellman: I know the Christmas Mountains Association board unanimously voted to support the national parks acquiring the mountains. ... I assume - and it's only an assumption - that they know how we manage the parks and understand that [hunting isn't permitted].

DMN: Is hunting allowed currently under the General Land Office's management of the Christmas Mountains?

Wellman: Under the terms of the conservation easement, there can only be a hunting program in the Christmas Mountains if there's a surplus of animals.

So ... unless the GLO can show that there are overpopulations there, no, they can't allow it.

DMN: You've stated that you're willing to be patient, even if it means waiting a few years, for the GLO to resolve the Christmas Mountains issue.

What would have to happen to end this stalemate?

Wellman: People change. Commissioner Patterson won't be around forever.

Of course, neither will I.