I have to vent, hope you don't mind....
My daughters boyfriend (he's 26), was in Shirley last weekend, before he went, he bought himself a machete from CT to take with him. I'm not sure what the hell he thought he thought he was going to use it for, but I shuddered when he showed it to me, as a tool like that is only good for hacking trees to bits-in the wrong hands, it could cause a lot of damage to live ones as well, and this guy isn't known for his overabundance of common sense, so I wouldn't put it past him to destroy the odd live tree in order to gather a few branches for a fire. I had taken him into the park three times previously, and always tried to teach him responsible camping, but sure enough, the first time he goes in by himself and a buddy, he takes in a #$%*#@ machete, and tin cans to boot!! In a way, I feel like I failed in teaching him to treat the park like the special place it is.

There was talk previously about banninng axes and hatchets from the interior, if they are going to ban these, they should add machetes to the list.
Anyone else has similar experiences with people they have introduced to the park??
Skeeter

Skeeter, I think one of the best things you can do for your son in law is to introduce him to this site. It would not take him long to read some of the topics in the forum, to see the passion people have for the park. This may help him to grow out of the "Johnny Rambo" stage.
Cheers and good luck
Chargingtrout

Yeah, my brother.
I had hoped to bring him in(again), and show him the ropes sorta speak.
He was just interested in sawing wood all day and drinking his face off all weekend.
He didn't damage any live plants, but if none of us were around, I fear he might have.
I think some people, no matter how hard you try, are not interested in conservation of our lovely Park.
It is probably best to keep my brother away from The Park from now on.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

There are smart, responsible people, and there are just plain idiots. It's just the way she goes.

Unfortunately, you can't teach respect for nature.

Soon to be X son in law I hope.

Just name your brother/son-inlaw/whoever CRAWL
and tell them a future in combining awaits them out west

That way , AP will be safe for a little while longer

Rac n

of all movies you could bring up, Raccoon, it surprises me that you'd remember that one.

i don't know many Pauly Shore fans, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuddy

I guess this particular raccoon gets along well with the weaseeellllll...

I think I was 12 when I bought a machete. I felt WICKED with that hanging off my belt. Hey, I was 12.

The sinister side of me thinks you should have called the park. heeheee