Interesting Conversation with a Texas State Park Ranger

**babelfish5** · 03-15-2010, 20:50

Hello All,

For those who have seen my gear reviews (all 2 of them) you should know that I do them at Huntsville State Park north of Houston. I am working on video reviews for several new pieces of gear.

As I was working on the last review I posted, the lead ranger for the park approached me and started asking me questions about my hammock setup (an ENO at the time with slap straps). He was concerned about the increasing numbers of campers that used hammocks and wanted to know about them. I offered him coffee (he REALLY like my trangia alcohol stove) and we sat down to a conversation about suspension methods for hammocks. His main concern was the damage that excessive hammockers would do to the trees.

At some point in our conversation he decided to see how comfortable my ENO was. He really liked the comfort and the slap strap style of suspension.

I found it interesting that park rangers are now noticing hammock hangers and asking questions. I think this is a good thing. Perhaps this is an opportunity to engage and influence the park rangers attitudes about how we hang and what we can do to keep our impact to a minimum.

Any ideas and comments are always appreciated.

**exdiver** · 03-15-2010, 20:54

Sounds like you did some good PR for all us hangers. Thanks.

**Shug** · 03-15-2010, 20:57

That is cool. Way to be a great Ambassador!
Class act offering coffee......
They have to open their minds as well and you did it just right.

Long ago I flew R/C airplanes and we really had to schmooze people that lived near our flying field to get them to understand our hobby. We would invite them over to fly and all that.

Ya' done good babelfish5.....
Shug

**UncleMJM** · 03-15-2010, 21:42

Keep up the good PR work. I have been hanging at HSP over the last several years as well as numerous other Texas state parks. I always use tree huggers or webbing only suspension and have never had a complaint.

I've also invited park staff from at least half a dozen parks to come check out how we hang in a tree friendly way but never had any takers.

We all need to keep dong it right and talking it up - all it will take is a few folks with tree damage to hurt us all.

**OldnSlow** · 03-15-2010, 23:16

Great job, Babelfish5! smoozing, coffee, intelligent conversation....it all works! Had the same thing happen in norwestern Alberta....not exactly the hotbed of hammocking...

**Mule** · 03-15-2010, 23:19

Are you getting ready to run for office? Good job, Thanks.

**Knotty** · 03-15-2010, 23:21

Can't imagine anyone could have done any better than you did. We know there's at least one ranger out there with a positive impression of hammocks and the people who use them.

**Mrprez** · 03-16-2010, 06:03

Good job! That is what is needed in the FL State Park system. We need to get to a decision maker and show them that our type of hammocks do not damage trees.

**gargoyle** · 03-16-2010, 06:39

Rangers like donuts.

**Running Feather** · 03-16-2010, 06:54

Unfortunately there are still hammock hangers, either out of ignorance, trying to reinvent the wheel, or cheaping out that do damage trees. (Many YouTube videos)

If you are one of these people - PLEASE STOP!
If you see someone doing it, be one of our ambassadors, tactfully explain the impact on the trees.