The social media age has engendered a “look at me” trend. Some people can’t help but share their escapades and conquests with the virtual world, even when they’re doing something illegal.
A 2016 incident comes to mind involving a group known as “High on Life” that trespassed on Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Springs, posted a video online that captured their illegal jaunt on the sensitive hot springs and were ultimately prosecuted. (We should note two of the men in that group died two years later after slipping and tumbling near a waterfall in Shannon Falls, British Columbia.) On this occasion, it was a group of young hunters who illegally killed a mountain lion in Yellowstone National Park. The hunters posted images of the dead cat on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. The men appear on either side of the dead animal flashing toothy smiles.
Social media users recognized the area depicted in the photo and called game wardens. Reporter Mike Koshmrl uncovered the details of this story in his latest article for the Jackson Hole News&Guide. Before we dig into that story, Koshmrl told KHOL about another occurrence in Yellowstone, this one sanctioned by one of the highest officials in the land. On June 13, Vice President Mike Pence appeared in the nation’s first national park. Koshmrl distilled the message he delivered to more than 100 park employees there.
