Posted on 10/18/2010 4:41:52 AM PDT by marktwain
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK -- Bob Boardman of Port Angeles, a devoted hiker, diabetes nurse and musician, was killed by a mountain goat on Klahhane Ridge on Saturday afternoon.
Boardman, 63, his wife, Susan Chadd, and their friend, Pat Willits, had gone for a day hike on the Switchback Trail to Klahhane Ridge, which is near Hurricane Ridge about 17 miles south of Port Angeles.
The three had stopped for lunch at an overlook when a goat appeared and moved toward them, said Jessica Baccus, who arrived on the scene at about 1:20 p.m.
Baccus, also out for a day hike with her husband and their children, saw Willits, her longtime friend, coming up the trail.
Willits told Baccus that when the goat had begun behaving aggressively, Boardman had urged her and Chadd to leave the scene.
Then Boardman, an experienced hiker, tried to carefully shoo the ram away.
Willits told Baccus that although Boardman tried also to leave, the goat attacked him, goring him in the thigh.
"Nobody saw what actually happened. They heard Bob yell," Baccus said.
The goat stayed, standing over Boardman, who lay on the ground bleeding.
Bill Baccus, a park ranger not on duty but familiar with mountain goat behavior, moved forward with a safety blanket and shook it at the goat, he said.
He also pelted it with rocks, and after what seemed like a long time, "it moved away, but it stayed close by," Jessica Baccus said.
(Excerpt) Read more at peninsuladailynews.com ...
Sad story. Prayers to the family of Mr. Boardman.
Chalk up another statistic for the movie, “Bambi”.
Wild animals are called “wild animals” for a reason. They are not your friends. Even the “cuddly” ones usually have horns, hoofs, or teeth and can be aggressive. In certain situations they can be downright dangerous.
May Bob Boardman RIP. He will be missed by many.
I knew Bob, he was a good man. He was a nice man, kind and he spent his life in the service of others.
He was known by many in this community. I met him after I was first diagnosed with diabetes. His job was to educate me about the disease and to help me get started with the treatment and life change adjustments. I am glad that I was one of the folks in whose life he could make a difference.
Ill miss him and our community will miss him. God bless you Bob...
Well done! ;o)
“Isnt there a federal law that prohibits guests from carrying firearms in National Parks? Or did that get overturned?”
Early this year it became legal to carry a gun in National Parks (concealed or open), but not inside any buildings in the National Park. I’ve seen the “No Guns” signs posted on the doors of park visitor centers, etc.
Just to add, I do believe you have to be in compliance with the laws of the state that the park is in.
You are right, thank you. Just trying to keep it simple.
Check National Park website of the specific park you are visiting and they will list the state’s rules, as well.
Just went to Yellowstone, and Wyoming and Montana rules were posted on the Park’s website.
Isn't Sasquatch on the protected list?
That’s why, every time I see one of those TV commercials depicting polar bears, one of the meanest critters on earth, as cute and cuddly, I think another idiot lib is gonna get killed. They’ll be at the zoo, and decide to climb down into the bear pit to pet the warm fuzzy thing, and that will be that.
Valderi, Valdera, Valderi
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
I’ve come across these goats a lot. They seemed kinda friendly. But maybe they knew I was packing a piece?
Is this rutting season for goats? I know deer, elk and moose can become very aggressive during rut and if your intention is not hunting, it is best to give them a very wide berth.
I thought Sasquatch lived in the White House with her husband?
Not until someone shoots one.
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