Alcohol crackdown on Buffalo?

[coldspring]

Sounds like it won't be too awful long before they start requiring reservations for floating. If it ever comes to that, I won't bother floating a river.

What are the alcohol policies on the river? I couldn't find them on the website.

I know on the Current River they boycotted jello shots, shotgunning beers, beer funnels, unsecured cooler tops, and they recommend not taking over 6 beverages per day per person. That's just ridiculous, 6 beers on a hot July day is barely enough to wet your mouth! lol

They also prohibited diving off rocks, but I have yet to see that enforced. It's always about the families, but the very ones I see doing the dang diving are the freaking kids, and they are also the one's that are yelling and screaming and disturbing the river's peace and quiet for a half of a mile.

Arkansas is mostly rural and in the SOUTH, the reputation for kangaroo courts and good ole boy systems is well deserved. I wouldn't want to have to hire a lawyer in Harrison. Having dealt with Arkansas courts in the past, I can tell you that they are crooks, for the most part, at least the one's I dealt with. And the stupid rural rustics are too poor to do anything about it, so they continue to be corrupt and do as they please.

And what's the deal with all the dry counties? There is actually a ,led by a bunch of bible thumper pastors, in Marion County that is attempting to turn Marion County back into a dry county, even though the voters voted 2-1 to make it wet.

What did they do with the Rainbow bunch a few years ago? I know there was a federal case against unlawful roadblocks when they had one in my neck of the woods. The feds get out of control with power, IMHO.

Article about Long Pool
http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2008/1 ... l-forests/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Louiscov]

Lots of interesting information and points of view in this thread.

It's very good that the issue was brought to our attention. Keeping the roads safe around the Buffalo, the camgrounds relatively free from excess noise and drunken behavior, the streams free from rubbish are all worthy objectives.

But I'd sure hate to see anyone get in trouble for having a couple of cold ones around a campfire.

Last May at a morning shuttle at Erbie a ranger came over, chatted, and kept obviously looking around and inside our vehicles (and humorously trying to be nonchalant about it ). I thought it peculiar but now I know what's going on. Thanks again for the caution.

[Clif]

Lots of interesting information and points of view in this thread.

Indeed, so please do not let it degrade to a bashfest so that it suffers censor fate.

[Owl]

The next time I plan on paddling the Buffalo I'm going to speak with one of the Rangers beforehand so I fully understand the alcohol and open container policies. Hopefully it's not a situation where every Ranger has his own interpretation.

[painterbob]

there is no policy. other than (caned drinks) have to be in a koozie while on the water. and empty cans need to be in the trash bag... if your drunk, and mouthy, you go to jail ...doesn't matter if it's on the river ,or in the camp ground ,or on the highway! it's been that way . they are just now making a point to run off the problem people. and it's working

[coldspring]

I'm with you painterbob about the drunk and mouthy part. Problem is that many are mouth and are idiots before they drink a single drop!

I like to throw back a few beers myself. I'm always quiet, stay to myself, even help out people when they tip over. I have to watch myself, because that cold beer flows like water on a hot day. Not that I'm going to get too drunk for my own good. You'd probably never know I was "drunk" unless you got in my face and smelled my beer breath. All I want to do is blow off some steam and forget my cares for a while. I'm not saying I have to drink on the river (don't like drinking at home or bars) but it's my favorite place.

Now, I don't want to get arrested by some common-sense lacking whistlerick NPS official (about 75% of the ones I've met) while being peaceful and unproblematic, when I stop at at an access point and dump out the 12 pack of empty cans I drank and the odd ones I picked up along the way. All I want to do is paddle on down the river, soak up some sun, and camp out.

I'm actually going to drink more microbrews this year, so that will entail pouring beers in plastic bottles. Might go a little flat, but surely they'll still taste better and not cause hangovers like that cheap canned beer!

By the way, I noticed Wild Bill's had Fat Tire beer in cans, last time I stopeed in there.

[Randy Dodson]

YES! 4th of July '09 there was a "boat block" on the river. Boats were searched on the river in Searcy County.
Mid-July we were warned by boaters upriver from Hwy 14 bridge that there were plain clothes folks out on the banks and beware before you pulled you boat in. Our group of 30 had no problems.
However, I watched a poor soul walk up to his truck, unlock the door and sit in the truck (waiting for his group to reach the truck). He was approached by a uniformed Park Ranger. Before we loaded our boats and left, he was taken away.
Recommendation: float the Little Red Middle Fork or Archey Fork. Great floats and no PEOPLE!
I do not drink alkyhol on the river. I will still pick up cans!

It's funny you mentioned this. The poor soul you mentioned was probably a friend of mine from work. He was cited for DUI and (get this) not wearing a seat belt. He spent a mandatory 8 hours in jail for the DUI in Yellville. The NO SEAT BELT citation was dismissed when he asked the judge how on earth he could get ticketed for not wearing a seat belt, sitting in a truck that wasn't even running. He told me he'd never be back to the Buffalo. If the guy you saw was sitting in a white Chevy 4 X 4 (a very nice one), it was probably my friend.

[Water bug]

I do not remember except I believe it was an domestic SUV. Not sure about that part.
It was odd how the word was passed upstream to our group (whispers) to beware. The takeout place was crowded (late in day) and many of the outfitters were there snagging rentals.
It sounds as if your friend has an expensive trip. Sorry to hear about that.

[bj1299]

We went to the buffalo for spring break. Didn't any problems up near Amity... Did notice an police SUV passed by at the canoe rental and saw us unloading. Then as we expected he was posted up waiting for us to make a mistake. I don't mind DWI check points but it's getting pretty stupid them waiting at the take outs. Must be low on money... If this continues people will just start sinking cans. Maybe they should focus on something serious like meth.

(edited by Boofmaster)

[Gink]

First, I am at a loss to understand why it is so necessary to alter one's consciousness with drugs like alcohol while paddling.

Secondly, why denigrate the people of our state as poor, corrupt, bible thumping "stupid rural rustics"? Such righteous indignation!

If you have to drink and get high or whatever to enjoy our rivers and streams and dislike us so much ... why not pack your bags and move to ... shucks I can't even think of a place where hateful drunks are welcomed.

[coldspring]

First, I am at a loss to understand why it is so necessary to alter one's consciousness with drugs like alcohol while paddling.

Secondly, why denigrate the people of our state as poor, corrupt, bible thumping "stupid rural rustics"? Such righteous indignation!

If you have to drink and get high or whatever to enjoy our rivers and streams and dislike us so much ... why not pack your bags and move to ... shucks I can't even think of a place where hateful drunks are welcomed.

Yuppers, if we're not WASPs we should just move.

I've lived in the Ozarks my entire life. There are plenty of counties that are full of corrupt prosecutors, lawyers, sheriffs, and county officials. (That could be said for the rest of the country I suppose.) There's nothing wrong with being poor, I'm poor, therefore I can't afford a high priced attorney to get out of some trumped-up charges that violate my civil rights. I've seen these corrupt officials in rural counties continually walk over the rights of the poor residents, and they get away with it, over and over. They know that the poor don't have the means to do anything about it, and are an easy target. I could go on, but no sense in making a big post.

I've had my fill of self-righteous biblethumpers (don't know if you're one of them or not) but won't be making any apologies. I'm an adult and like to enjoy some beers, when I'm in the mood, and will make no apologies for my sins.

[Lifejacket]

We went to the buffalo for spring break. Didn't any problems up near Amity... Did notice an police SUV passed by at the canoe rental and saw us unloading. Then as we expected he was posted up waiting for us to make a mistake. I don't mind DWI check points but it's getting pretty stupid them waiting at the take outs. Must be low on money... If this continues people will just start sinking cans. Maybe they should focus on something serious like meth. FTP

Never heard of the Amity around Buffalo. Sure you do not mean Caddo? As for sinking cans, if that is your philosophy, I don't know what to say but would like you banned from the board!

First, I am at a loss to understand why it is so necessary to alter one's consciousness with drugs like alcohol while paddling.

Secondly, why denigrate the people of our state as poor, corrupt, bible thumping "stupid rural rustics"? Such righteous indignation!

If you have to drink and get high or whatever to enjoy our rivers and streams and dislike us so much ... why not pack your bags and move to ... shucks I can't even think of a place where hateful drunks are welcomed.

Gink , I would like to welcome you to America LAND of the FREE. In free I mean my right to drink beer n liquor and smoke on the water.

First, I personally am at a loss to understand how it is possible not to alter one's consciousness with drugs like alcohol while paddling.

Secondly, who you think is denigrating the people of our state as poor, corrupt, bible thumping "stupid rural rustics"? Such righteous indignation?

If you can not drink and get high or whatever to enjoy our rivers and streams and dislike us so much ... why not pack your bags and move to ... shucks I can't even think of a place where hateful nonalcoholics are welcomed? See this is your statement turned around and it also makes since.

Ya know you your first post was in defense of southwest paddler, for which I applaud you. I don't think you know what your comments just got you in too.

Let the moderation BEGIN

[Wildwood]

Clif, I think you had a good idea, back there a ways . . .
And I'm sure I heard the word "moderation" in a few posts?
I guess it's time to don my aluminum foil helmet again, to deflect some of the #%@& that's hittin' the fan anytime now. :roll:
Y'all crack me up! I'm not aware of a place where cussin' obnoxiuos drunks are tolerated, let alone welcome.

My $ .02 worth.
Jan

[unicorn]

I'm not aware of a place where cussin' obnoxiuos drunks are tolerated, let alone welcome.

Ever been to Bikes, Blues & BBQ?

[Wildwood]

I just moved from Eureka Springs in December, so I've seen a lot of tolerance demonstrated. But even there, drunks are a pain and not welcome, 'cept maybe at Carroll Co. jail.

From reading the NWA newspapers, a lot of those BBB drunks were welcomed to the local pokey. Tolerated only for the $$$ they bring to town.

I drink my share but as others have said, moderation is key.