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bear attack and death in yellow stone
- Thread starter starcrafttom
- Start date
Yep it can happen. Many years since last & many millions visit the park, so not a worry for me.
JoLee & I are in Cody, WY now & on the way back to Yellowstone Lake. Spent ten wonderful days there then the last three around Sheridan, WY with the truck camper checking out the old historic Soldier-Indian battlefield sites along the Bozeman Trail. First remembered book I read was about this conflict. Was great seeing the Hollowed Ground & the trip going back & forth through the Big Horn Mountains wasn't bad either. Had planned on continuing on to the Black Hills, but weather just to hot for us. Has gone from winter to summer just to quick.
Find it amazing they have 3G service for the IPad here & the speed with Pad almost as good as the high at home.
Jay
JoLee & I are in Cody, WY now & on the way back to Yellowstone Lake. Spent ten wonderful days there then the last three around Sheridan, WY with the truck camper checking out the old historic Soldier-Indian battlefield sites along the Bozeman Trail. First remembered book I read was about this conflict. Was great seeing the Hollowed Ground & the trip going back & forth through the Big Horn Mountains wasn't bad either. Had planned on continuing on to the Black Hills, but weather just to hot for us. Has gone from winter to summer just to quick.
Find it amazing they have 3G service for the IPad here & the speed with Pad almost as good as the high at home.
Jay
There is no way to second guess what happened. But we still carry bear spray when in any bear area. Situational awareness, is so important. If a sow has cubs, that is a dangerous situation. Last year at Yellowstone we saw a number of people doing very foolish things around wild life, including grizzleys. Although you can legally carry a weapon in the National Parks (not in the administration buildings and most comply to local state laws)--it would most likely not have been of any value in this case-and could have been dangerous to others.
Too bad there was a loss of life!
Too bad there was a loss of life!
Being here in Grand Teton National Park (part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem), we see some amazingly stupid things that people do regarding wildlife. Bears are not hiding behind trees, waiting to attack humans... but, we are going into their habitat, and this is not Disneyland. When asked, we discuss bear awareness on our cruise boats, and we do carry bear spray for our meal cruises in a wilderness area.
Bear attacks are very rare. One of the best things you can do to avoid a bad bear experience is stay on marked trails and make some noise as you hike, and don't hike alone. In this park, there is no known bear attack on a group of 4 or more. Bears have good hearing and a sense of smell better than a bloodhound - if they hear or smell us, they are likely to move away. Currently, there is one trail near us that is closed due to increased bear activity; the NPS is very active in patrolling the campgrounds, RV parks, and picnic areas to make sure people are not leaving out ANYTHING that can interest a bear.
Frankly, more people are injured by moose or bison, because they look less "threatening" and people actually try to walk right up to them. All the animals in both parks have minimum distances that you must stay away: 25 yards for most, 100 yards for bear and wolves. My opinion is that is still way too close.
Enjoy the parks - they are yours. Hike and get out there. Just be aware that there are precautions you can take to minimize a bad bear (or other wildlife) encounter.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Bear attacks are very rare. One of the best things you can do to avoid a bad bear experience is stay on marked trails and make some noise as you hike, and don't hike alone. In this park, there is no known bear attack on a group of 4 or more. Bears have good hearing and a sense of smell better than a bloodhound - if they hear or smell us, they are likely to move away. Currently, there is one trail near us that is closed due to increased bear activity; the NPS is very active in patrolling the campgrounds, RV parks, and picnic areas to make sure people are not leaving out ANYTHING that can interest a bear.
Frankly, more people are injured by moose or bison, because they look less "threatening" and people actually try to walk right up to them. All the animals in both parks have minimum distances that you must stay away: 25 yards for most, 100 yards for bear and wolves. My opinion is that is still way too close.
Enjoy the parks - they are yours. Hike and get out there. Just be aware that there are precautions you can take to minimize a bad bear (or other wildlife) encounter.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Yellowstone
New member
Here in Montana most people have bear stories to tell, i.e., those who spend an appreciable time in the outdoors year in and year out. I have had my own encounters with both black bears and grizzlies, but I won't bore the readers with the details, other than to say some were very close calls, and I was very lucky at times.
Back in the 1960s, the noted Yellowstone bear researchers, the Craigheads, examined one big boar in the fall which weighed 1,140 lbs - big enough by any bear standard. The grizzlies are no longer endangered but expanding into historical regions out of the mountains, where they eventually get into trouble and have to be relocated or worse.
For reasons not fully understood, Glacier Park grizzlies for a while seemed to be more bellicose around humans than those in and around Yellowstone. This last fatality is number 3 for Yellowstone in the past two years.
Bear news travels at warp speed in Montana, and it appears that the couple near Canyon weren't really up on bear protocol. First, they did not have bear spray with them. Second, when they first saw the bears, they retreated for a while and then returned moving on the trail. When they saw the sow coming after them, they ran away. Perhaps Usain Bolt could pull that off, but not folks in their fifties.
My experience with grizzlies is that often their charge is a bluff. Standing calmly and facing them will put your heart in your throat. But a mama grizzly with cubs is one of the world's most unpredictable and dangerous animals. Jim B mentions numbers of hikers adding a measure of safety, and I believe he is correct. The park service will probably require a group of four for back country hiking and camping one of these days.
Solo hiking is a recipe for trouble. Add the sub-adult male into the picture with mama, and anyone who hikes alone or in twos will eventually wish they hadn't.
Yellowstone has had a very late spring, and the bears are out foraging everywhere. On June 22 Edna and I took a drive from the marina to Sedge Bay where reports of a big boar hanging around took us there. And sure enough the lone grizzly, a big male, was grazing like a cow. We took pictures from the road (inside our car) at an estimated distance of 40 feet. He paid no attention to us at all.
What was most interesting was after a while he ambled across the road to the west side and worked his way past a small group of four mature buffalo bulls, and neither species seemed to be the least bit interested in each other. But there are recorded cases where grizzlies attacked big bull buffalo and were bested in a life and death struggle.
What this illustrates to us is that the inexperienced person witnessing this scene will reach faulty conclusions about these animals. Buffalo have killed more Yellowstone tourists than grizzly bears.
This is a tragedy for both the hikers and the bear. But Yellowstone isn't a zoo. IMO the assumption of risk must be borne by humans who visit this wild country. John
Back in the 1960s, the noted Yellowstone bear researchers, the Craigheads, examined one big boar in the fall which weighed 1,140 lbs - big enough by any bear standard. The grizzlies are no longer endangered but expanding into historical regions out of the mountains, where they eventually get into trouble and have to be relocated or worse.
For reasons not fully understood, Glacier Park grizzlies for a while seemed to be more bellicose around humans than those in and around Yellowstone. This last fatality is number 3 for Yellowstone in the past two years.
Bear news travels at warp speed in Montana, and it appears that the couple near Canyon weren't really up on bear protocol. First, they did not have bear spray with them. Second, when they first saw the bears, they retreated for a while and then returned moving on the trail. When they saw the sow coming after them, they ran away. Perhaps Usain Bolt could pull that off, but not folks in their fifties.
My experience with grizzlies is that often their charge is a bluff. Standing calmly and facing them will put your heart in your throat. But a mama grizzly with cubs is one of the world's most unpredictable and dangerous animals. Jim B mentions numbers of hikers adding a measure of safety, and I believe he is correct. The park service will probably require a group of four for back country hiking and camping one of these days.
Solo hiking is a recipe for trouble. Add the sub-adult male into the picture with mama, and anyone who hikes alone or in twos will eventually wish they hadn't.
Yellowstone has had a very late spring, and the bears are out foraging everywhere. On June 22 Edna and I took a drive from the marina to Sedge Bay where reports of a big boar hanging around took us there. And sure enough the lone grizzly, a big male, was grazing like a cow. We took pictures from the road (inside our car) at an estimated distance of 40 feet. He paid no attention to us at all.
What was most interesting was after a while he ambled across the road to the west side and worked his way past a small group of four mature buffalo bulls, and neither species seemed to be the least bit interested in each other. But there are recorded cases where grizzlies attacked big bull buffalo and were bested in a life and death struggle.
What this illustrates to us is that the inexperienced person witnessing this scene will reach faulty conclusions about these animals. Buffalo have killed more Yellowstone tourists than grizzly bears.
This is a tragedy for both the hikers and the bear. But Yellowstone isn't a zoo. IMO the assumption of risk must be borne by humans who visit this wild country. John
A
Anonymous
Guest
We saw a trail sign on Vancouver Island that read something to the effect of: "By hiking this trail you are entering the food chain. Keep pets and children close". Although we generally were aware of that, it was a stark reminder for someone who doesn't get out often enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401ATHqOCOg :shock:
Wa State has tons of black bears. Now it appears, we also have brown bears.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=8227957
Wa State has tons of black bears. Now it appears, we also have brown bears.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=8227957
Hunkydory":3gvc5dss said:Yep it can happen. Many years since last & many millions visit the park, so not a worry for me.
Think I should modify the above comment & add though the odds of being attacked by a grizzly in Yellowstone are extremely remote the results of an attack can be so horriffic that I agree with the others who recommend the bear spray & I too carry it when out & about.
D D
At this present time if faced by a charging grizzly I too would prefer many other makes & calibers of guns to the old 30 30, but it was that gun that doomed the grizzly to their status of today. Prior to the 30 30 Winchester it was an iffy proposition to take a grizzly on with any of the single shots or repeaters available. The lever action repeat firing 30 30 had enough oomph in skilled hands that the bear had little chance of harming the shooter let alone surviving the encounter.
It was my very first hunting rifle and at a very early age one I learned to shoot very well.
Jay
At this present time if faced by a charging grizzly I too would prefer many other makes & calibers of guns to the old 30 30, but it was that gun that doomed the grizzly to their status of today. Prior to the 30 30 Winchester it was an iffy proposition to take a grizzly on with any of the single shots or repeaters available. The lever action repeat firing 30 30 had enough oomph in skilled hands that the bear had little chance of harming the shooter let alone surviving the encounter.
It was my very first hunting rifle and at a very early age one I learned to shoot very well.
Jay
Jay,
No disrespect intended to a 30 30, in Pa. a 30 30 known as is a good deer gun if you can get at close range and if you are in a brushy area as they are not easily deflected by branches and the like. I always thought those 50 caliber Hawkins were the the hot setup for buffalo and bear. (Jeremiah Johnson)Especially if you wanted to keep your distance between you and the unfriendlies. No matter I only have a 12 ga pump shotgun. I figured it might be good to have along if I ever make it to Alaska. I'll leave the bear dealings to the rangers. I would not think guns are allowed in the park are they?
I wondered if I was coming out Rt.80; is following Rt. 26 out of the Ogallala Ne. area was a good way to get to Jackson Lake? It seems to follow a couple different rivers and would seem to be the flatter route. what do you think?
D.D.
No disrespect intended to a 30 30, in Pa. a 30 30 known as is a good deer gun if you can get at close range and if you are in a brushy area as they are not easily deflected by branches and the like. I always thought those 50 caliber Hawkins were the the hot setup for buffalo and bear. (Jeremiah Johnson)Especially if you wanted to keep your distance between you and the unfriendlies. No matter I only have a 12 ga pump shotgun. I figured it might be good to have along if I ever make it to Alaska. I'll leave the bear dealings to the rangers. I would not think guns are allowed in the park are they?
I wondered if I was coming out Rt.80; is following Rt. 26 out of the Ogallala Ne. area was a good way to get to Jackson Lake? It seems to follow a couple different rivers and would seem to be the flatter route. what do you think?
D.D.
Well guns are not my thing, but the 30/30 was given to me by an elderly person who had carried it for decades. I've never been sure I could have shot it, very glad I never was put to the test! I know there are far more advanced weapons now days!
I've been told you can't carry a weapon in a National Park.
I've been told you can't carry a weapon in a National Park.
Captains Cat
New member
El and Bill
New member
The old Winchester 30-30 was my first hunting rifle as a kid. Perfect deer rifle in New England. After moving west, the 30-06 became the rifle of choice.
But, as an NRA instructor, I only taught newby kids on a single shot .22 rifle (or a .22 revolver, in my handgun classes). Concentrate on that one shot - don't 'spray' the target with a repeater. Those who learned on a single shot usually became the most accurate riflemen.
But, as an NRA instructor, I only taught newby kids on a single shot .22 rifle (or a .22 revolver, in my handgun classes). Concentrate on that one shot - don't 'spray' the target with a repeater. Those who learned on a single shot usually became the most accurate riflemen.
Those who learned on a single shot usually became the most accurate riflemen.
One shot; one kill. A "rule" still used today and something to strive for...easier said than done.
For your work, aren't you taught to put 3 rapid shots in the center of the body mass? I seem to remember that from something I read.localboy":2bhretug said:One shot; one kill. A "rule" still used today and something to strive for...easier said than done.
Warren
Will-C":1923s42p said:Jay,
No disrespect intended to a 30 30, in Pa. a 30 30 known as is a good deer gun if you can get at close range and if you are in a brushy area as they are not easily deflected by branches and the like. I always thought those 50 caliber Hawkins were the the hot setup for buffalo and bear. (Jeremiah Johnson)Especially if you wanted to keep your distance between you and the unfriendlies. No matter I only have a 12 ga pump shotgun. I figured it might be good to have along if I ever make it to Alaska. I'll leave the bear dealings to the rangers. I would not think guns are allowed in the park are they?
I wondered if I was coming out Rt.80; is following Rt. 26 out of the Ogallala Ne. area was a good way to get to Jackson Lake? It seems to follow a couple different rivers and would seem to be the flatter route. what do you think?
D.D.
No disrespect taken. Its just guns, bears & their involvement in the history of the settlement of the west starting from the east has been a life long interest of mine. The 50 cal Hawkins and the later big black powder Sharps & other makes all had the power to kill a grizzly. The problem was all to often for the shooter the bear died only after killing or maiming the shooter. The 30 30 Winchester was the first rifle to shoot a smokeless powder cartridge generating a very fast for its time bullet velocity and high empact energy. This combined with its ability to make very fast follow up shots when needed made it far superior to any other gun at the time. The demand from the civilian market was there and millions were sold this and the continued developement of even much more powerful smokeless powder calibers thus added greatly to the status in the lower US of the grizzly bear becoming an endangered species.
In the book "Journal of a Mountain Man", James Clyman one of the best Mountain Men of the mountain man era gives a very good detailed description of hunting grizzlies for their hides using a single shot muzzle loading .50 cal Hawkin rifle. Unless several mountain men were together ready to take quick successive shots they didn't shoot at a grizzly unless forced to when they couldn't retreat. If hunting alone he preferred shooting from a bluff or tree above the bear after studying its movements and working himself into that position.
As Charlie showed guns are allowed in the Park. I'm content with the bear spray and if it wasn't available would wander about alone without it as I did before its advent with not much concern other than as Bob stated "situational awareness". Knowing grizzly bears can be about makes for an hightened scensory experience.
Either 26 as you described or I80 to Rawlins, WY and then northwest on 287 would be ok. Neither has very steep grades. Either way you'll end up going over Togwotee Pass, 9658 feet just before Jackson Lake. Don't think either route or Togwotee Pass with your set up should be a problem. There's other options too but don't think the extra milage worth it.
Looking forward to seeing you it August,
Jay
Doryman":c4wllx6u said:For your work, aren't you taught to put 3 rapid shots in the center of the body mass? Warren
I was referring to rifles, Warren. The new recommendation (& training) for pistols/handguns is "two to the chest, one to the head". This is in response to the use of body armor by some criminals.