IF YOU ONLY HAD A BRAIN

It is getting to be that time of year again. There is snow at the higher elevations. A winter wonderland will soon be everywhere. Many people will get out their skis or snow mobiles or hiking packs and head on out to the mountainous areas. And like every year some of them will lose their lives. 
They will go into areas that are roped off and signed saying Out Of Bounds or Avalanche Area. Look, look at the fresh powder snow over there. The signs don't apply to me. I know how to ski, my machine is powerful enough to get me out of there.
Or will they go for a day hike with only their light jacket and a bottle of water. No one knows their route. No one even knows sometimes that they have gone hiking. 

At some point the Search and Rescue people will be called out to find these people who have gone off the trails or simply get lost and are not prepared in any way for a night or two on a rugged mountain. Even if it doesn't snow it is still extremely cold. 
These rescue personnel will risk their lives trying to find you. They have other jobs they must leave and family that love them and they will risk it all to save your sorry butt. 
I think you should have to pay for all costs associated with your rescue if you are out of bounds. 
Nineteen snowmobilers — all but one of them in B.C. — have died in avalanches in Canada this season, according to statistics provided by the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC). The number accounts for 75 per cent of all national backcountry fatalities, which also includes a heli-skier, a mountaineer and four out-of-bounds skiers.
In several of the snowmobile-related incidents, slides were triggered as a result of highmarking — a deadly practice where riders push their machines as far up a steep slope as possible.
              This information from the Vancouver Sun Newspaper.2008-2009 season.

My husband has encountered several idiotic people who were not prepared for the outdoors and had zero common sense while out there. One guy actually left the hillsides and went to the bar without telling his female companion. She hunted high and low for him for hours eventually getting some assistance from my husbands group. She was going to spend the night alone in an empty cabin to see if he would show up when someone found out he was cozy in the bar. I wonder what that car ride home was like? 

Anyway people use some common sense. Out of Bounds means just that and yes it means you. Tell people where you are going when hiking and be prepared for the worst. Wear avalanche beacons and carry shovels and poles for rescuing. Take walkie talkies. Flares? Sure why not. Be like a boy scout and be prepared.