Just want you to know Stan, that there is no other person on TH-cam who i look more forward to watching their content than you. Your style of just walking and talking just is as real and unscripted as it gets. I admire the hell out of you with your faith and all your knowledge and experience of the Yellowstone ecosystem and wildlife. Not to mention your artistic ability. Just want to say thank you for taking me to a place that my heart aches to be at but current life commitments keeps me in Ohio for now. Maybe some day i'll be able to spend a lot more time there or live there but for now I'm thankful for what i have. Thanks again Stan!
In bear country most attacks happen by quietly surprising a bear. You are supposed to wear bells, or talk loudly enough... Like, hey bear, hey bear so the bear knows you are there. And if you have a gun they are a protected species and Im sure the game warden would love to watch your you tube video sneaking up on bears and then shooting them when they respond to you.
@@deeannwatson4453 HE has never sneaked up on any bear, in all the many years he's been out there and he has NEVER even had to use his bear spray. Of course he has never shot any bear considering HE CARRIES NO GUN.
Your videos are absolutely amazing. Must say it always blows my mind how bad our noses are compared to most animals. You just walked in the rain and the bear could still smell you after several minutes.
I am glad he did smell me. He was about 150 yards away when I saw him heading right towards me. It is a little scary when you are not sure if he is heading towards you on purpose or by accident. If you watch some of my older videos, this grizzly does the same thing every time. In the mornings he always heads towards the east, and at night he always goes west.
Great job so glad you took time out in the rain to hike. The male grizzly was on the move , nice to see him. Great surprise how he ended up close to exactly where you were headed. Another encounter up close ! What a beautiful bear. Nice hike thank you the shots of everything came out good considering weather conditions. Praise the lord!!!
So nice to see a video of how to respectfully admire Yellowstone wildlife. These tourist video's where they try to touch the bison are infuriating. Thanks Stan for the great video today!
I must admit I was a little fearful for you! But if there is anyone who can do something like this, it’s you. It was a beautiful, healthy looking bear, thanks so much for sharing him with us!
Thanks Stan for another excellent video. It was great to see that Griz readjust his path once he got your sent. As always stay safe and blessed enjoying God's Country 🙏
Unfortunately, it makes people think it is safe to hike in Grizzley country, play stupid games / win stupid prizes...it's just a matter of time until he becomes a meal.
Thank you, Stan. As always, thank you for the wise guidance you provide. This type of travel is never without risk. Anything can happen. But, with some tips you've provided over the years, and some common sense, a lot of risk can be mitigated.
That's right and the very best way you can mitigate that risk is by carrying the right type of gun loaded with the right ammo. Anyone who goes into brown bear country without a good grizzly gun is rolling the dice and if they survive it's pure luck and only because the bear allowed them to survive. I'd rather trust my survival to myself. The best setup is a smith and wesson m&p 10mm with flat tipped copper bullets with a hot load. 15+1 capacity. And really it's best to also carry a good high powered rifle on a shoulder sling as well. But at minimum a 10mm and extra full mag.
Your assessment of where the Bear will be is wrong!! They love semi open timber at all but the hottest time of day. When it gets hot they seek the dark cooler timber. None of that is 100% though. They are very individualistic!!
Thanks Stan for sharing the Yellowstone experience with us. Most of us will never see the back country like you do or experience the bear sightings that you experience. Looking forward to visiting Yellowstone again in September but probably won't do any extensive hiking. God bless you as you appreciate God's creation. 👍🙏
Facinating to watch sitting here back in England - To my mind it's a given re respect. But I know many, even in our small back woods, don't. Keep well & thank you 👍😊
Great video Stan. I've learned a lot from you over the years. It's neat that you meet the same "friends" from year to year. I'm headed for some hikes in SW Utah hoping to keep my feet dry.
One of these times it will not work out for you so well. You are pushing your luck So many say they are experienced right up to were they are attacked.
Good Sunday morning to you Stan. Your video is in such contrast to the videos of tourist(s) trying to 'pet' the bison, which seems to be a perpetual, and idiotic phenomenon in Yellowstone. Your comments of "respect the wildlife" always rings true. One question: is there a particular brand of bear spray that you prefer or recommend?
I always have one can of UDAP and another of something else. I can’t say if one is better than the other. But I do have about 20 old cans out in the garage. Maybe I should do a video on testing old cans of bear spray and see if they work or not.
Knowing how to do it is important pf course but walking on game trails in cover in grizzly country is always a 50-50 crap shot. Trouble is that means you have a 50% chance of an encounter and I do not believe that grizz care at all about how respectful you are being.
Gorgeous! But I have to say that I watch your videos w expectant horror. I am so scared for you Stan! I love wildlife. I always have. But I do not have the guts to walk out in nature the way you do! I love the way you approach your hikes and I know you have a lot of experience. And I am thankful that there are people like you willing to show the world areas that others may never tread!
My shorts are full just watching this, I can’t imagine being there!! 😳 But I’m terrified of bears. (I’ve had nightmares my entire life involving bears). That being said, I greatly appreciate you sharing these phenomenal interactions that show they aren’t monster man eaters. Cheers 🐻🦌🐻🙂
I faithfully watch your videos, Stan, but the way you walk the fringes on the backcountry gives me the heebee geebees! it is obvious you are very experienced so I know you are sure of what you are doing. My first bear surprise came when I was hiking and had stopped on the trail and noticed a dead porcupine on the side of the trail. within 30 seconds I heard a big WOOOF come from the trees and I moved on down the line with a cautious purpose!
I've hiked in Yellowstone a few dozen times. In my opinion this is irresponsible. First he went looking for the bear. It's not a startling experience when you go look for it. This is no different than the people who take selfies with buffalo and then are suprised when they get gored.
Well he isn’t out to harm the grizzly. He is willing to take the risk because he admires the grizzly and wants to see them up close. Nothing wrong with that.
He always emphasizes safety such as never surprising the bears. And he fervently looks for signs such as tracks, scat, and other things that tells him they maybe near. And he always take bear spray with him, and never really get that close to them. I initially thought he was being unwise, but I see how cautious he is; therefore, I try not to judge him, because of how careful he is!
I cant tell if you were carrying a gun but if not you're making the worst rookie mistake anyone could make. You may think you can be safe without a gun but if you survive its only pure luck and because the bear decided to allow you to survive. At the very least you need a handgun. A smith and wesson m&p 10mm is the best handgun for big bears if you use the right ammo. 15 round mags with one in the chamber. So you have 16 chances to hit the brain or spinal cord because thats the only way to stop them. A heart or lung shot and theyll kill you before they bleed out. Many guys who thought they were safe have been killed by brown bears. Also lots of guys who carry revolvers because they think a 44 magnum is better than a high caliber modern semi automatic like the m&p 10mm. Glocks in 10mm are good to but the m&p is half the price with near perfect reliability. As reliable as any semi auto handgun. Its 400 bucks to put your survival into your own hands instead of letting it be the bears choice if you live another day.
I do carry 2 cans of bear spray. I invite you to spend some time on my "grizzly bears" play list on my channel. Thank you for your comments and have a great day.
First time viewer… love that you acknowledge our Lord and creator in your travels. The older I get (64) the more I appreciate all that God has provided. May Jesus bless you with good health and safety !
I just have one question, Why? How nice it would be to "peacefully and respectfully" leave the outdoor zoo know as Yellowstone alone once in awhile. Same old tired shots of "widflowers" and pestered animals. Where's the respect in that? Just because you can, I guess. What a sorry mess.
Here is my channel description to help you with "why":This channel is about the amazing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Go out and explore Gods beautiful creation and enjoy the amazing wildlife that he placed in it. This includes the grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, cougars and everything else. Maybe this video won't be the same old tired shots: th-cam.com/video/0ZFy9JO-t18/w-d-xo.html or this one: th-cam.com/video/O7XP1AxEFac/w-d-xo.html I have a lot of videos on my channel. Thank you for your comments and opinions.
@@StanMills I've been to Yellowstone several times, watching the human hoardes hovering over the "I don't have a choice this is my home" animals. Right off the bat in your video link, "the black wolf spotted me." I don't go to Yellowstone anymore. I find it depressing. Depressing in the sense there is never a time when the wildlife can count on just being wildlife and left to do their own thing. Try remote Alaska. Your filming abilities are very good. Thank-you for your reply.
Once when I was standing in the desert in Nevada a herd of wild mules came running over the hill, in my direction. [I guess they're there still procreating from the old days of the silver miners] One mule came and stood next to me, I could see he had what looked like a painful bite on the side of his hip. I told him to stand still and he did. I went back to my old station wagon and got some peroxide, I poured some on his wound. Then I told him 'Ok go join your friends' and he did. That is a very true story.
My camera has a setting that warns if no memory card is in. Perhaps your camera does as well? I enjoy learning about bears from your experience. On rainy days do Mountain Lion hang around in the trees?
Good title Stan - the words ‘Grizzly Encounter’ always mean the video will get 10x the normal views…even though I don’t think that’s the primary reason you do this… Also - haven’t heard you talk too much about the bear habits in terms of specifics of when/why they will be out in the open vs when they might be in a grove of trees. Would love to hear you expand on that a little in a future video. Also - wondering how tactics would change if that fog had rolled in thick. Would you make more noise as a precaution? Or would you just cross your fingers and go?
I have been watching this bear for about 8 years. He always moves east in the morning which means he moves west at night over his range. Knowing that, it makes it easy for me to find him. As far as tactics in thick fog, you may have seen me climb a tree in at least one of my videos. Early spring in the nice cool wet weather they are pretty much out in the open feeding. A lot of that time will be up close to the snow line. In late summer they are extremely hard to find in the heat of the day. Early morning hikes in the darkness is a good time to meet them on the trail moving from lower elevations to higher elevations.
I am not an expert on bears but I believe if you asked one they would tell you that most always bear know exactly where you are and being ambush predators it is no coincidence when they get closer as you think they are nonchalantly moving in no particular direction.
@@StanMillsSOUNDS overtly idealistic, ntm self-predatory. Beautiful and lofty, definitively, AND samurai-like or rather Ronin ...Kurosawa and Mizoguchi showed the attitude in many of their films. Suggest watch THE SWORD OF DOOM while contemplating the Bushido - the way of the warrior. Plenty of equal serenity and inner calmness in your attitude no matter the different religion ...Life will prevail even in death, the transition is an entrance into eternity. Nothing terrible about it, happens to everybody - not just the NDE -experiencers nor shark-bite victims ... "Destiny will find those who take heed of it ; Fate will locate the rest ..."
That don't understand the point of you telling people to be respectful and peaceful in God's country. I understand the respectful part but the peaceful part? Lol
I was out in Hayden valley hiking, and we roused up a grizzly, which ran off, so we continued to watch it from a hill as it wandered through a herd of bison - anyway eventually it laid down in the sage brush for about 45 minutes, completely disappearing. It was in the middle of the day, so I had always figured I could see one off in the sage if you are hiking, but clearly not if they are napping.
Another wonderful vid. Thanks a lot. I cherish your philosophy "peacefully and respectfully", indeed to leave no lasting traces, just like the creation around you.
Nice video again, always beautiful. FYI, I hike in the rain too. My first visit to this park was July 2019, I was there a week, at least three days had tremendous thunderstorms. With a lot of lighting, I had to lay flat on the ground. It hailed too, while I was looking at the wildflowers since I was face to face with the flowers😅
Thanks for the video, wonderful day for u and wonderful start to mine! I feel I can breathe better watching and listening to you and nature. Beautiful bear, scenery and light. Thanks again.
As someone who stumbled across this video, all I can say is holy cow & respect your experience. The golden wildflowers were stunning, the white tail deer beautiful & the bear too close! Pls, take care♥
Thanks, Stan! So interesting to hike in the rain and fog with you. Even though the Canon is not waterproof, the videos are always great! Btw, I love being out in the elements also.
Question, do you carry bear spray and if you do which brand do you carry? Also do you carry a pistol in a chest holster? Reason I ask about the firearm is I’m sure bear spray won’t always work and what if there are multiple bear? Thank you for being a responsible photographer unlike the many I see attempting to get close to these beautiful wild animals. Then if one of those irresponsible people get injured or killed most times they track down the animal and kill it. Not cool. So thank you for being the rare responsible professional.
I always carry 2 cans of bear spray (but have never had to use bear spray). Right now I have UDAP and Counter Assault. I don't carry a fire arm. You can't use them in the Park, plus, I could never shoot a bear anyway. Thank you for your comments.
Great news. I’m so envious of you hiking 16 miles a day at times. I have bad knees and can only hike a few miles. If I got a knee replacement I could be like you!! ❤️
Everyone’s thinking the same thing I am but not saying it. This is just as bad as swimming in the ocean. Sorry,but there’s just some places man is not meant to be
I live on the coast and won't give in to fear of sharks, no way I'm going to not participate in this wonderful world. You know what I'm really afraid of? Teenage girls texting and driving, see it every day and there's always someone crossing into my lane. I'll take the shark...
Genesis 9:5 If an animal kills someone, that animal must die. Matthew 10:35 Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them.
Yes, you can think about it that way but since I never saw them or knew they were there, I never got worried about them. But that does bring up the question, how many bears saw me that I never knew about. Sometimes that worries me when I think about it.
Why do people separate humans from nature? Yes, it's the bears' home, but it's ours too. We are as much a part of nature as any animal... until we separate ourselves from nature. The division between humans and animals is a construction of peoples' flawed thinking. For those who wish to separate themselves from nature... I almost feel sorry for you. As for me, I never feel more at home than when I'm snug in Mother Nature's arms. I would think that you would feel the same Stan.
Yes, you are right. Us selfish humans have that luxury. The animals don’t. That is the only home they have. I work at giving greater consideration to the circumstances of other living things, not just myself.
@@StanMills Right, but including yourself among all God's creatures puts you on the their level. The indulgence that human's like to assert is that we are somehow above them... better than them. You are a man of nature and know that we are not, that's why you show them the respect that you do... because we (you) share their home and they share ours. That is a level of kinship that far too many "modern" people deny. Those of us who embrace nature and wildlife, whose spirits are entwined with those of the wind, the mountains, and the animals, are forever a part of it. Native Americans knew this and it was the heart of their culture. I never consider that I'm trespassing in their home and never consider that they're trespassing in mine. I freely accept that I'm a part of them and that they are part of me. And that, my friend, gives me comfort and peace.
Curious if you are on an animal Trail rather than a human hiking trail. You have way more nerve than I do. I love hiking and have been through Yellowstone on Horseback but never by foot. I'm very cautious of these giant fuzzy bears
I am off trail. My opinion is that exploring on horseback is a safer way to do it (if you have a good horse) and from my observations being on horse doesn’t seem to alarm the wildlife very much. If wildlife and bears see you on foot they seem to react differently.
Your fans will attack me for saying this but somebody needs to plead with you ---- BACK OFF ALREADY ! --- You are repeatedly getting way too close. He was no 150 yards away. About half that length.
Been doing this most of my life. But you don't realize that I am hiking where other people hike also. The difference is, I know what to look for. Other people are out there hiking and thinking there is nothing around. There are over 700 grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, they are everywhere. Just because you don't see any doesn't mean they are not seeing you. I happen to hike a lot and I know when, where, and what to look for (from experience). So I kinda think I am better off then the average hiker. I mainly only show the videos in which I see bears. I don't publish the countless videos that don't have bears in them. But thanks for your concerns and comments.
It only takes one bear to be in a bad mood, have a kill you happen to walk next too, or many other things that experience makes no difference in. It’s Russian Roulette going out there that often. I can only assume you are heavily armed, though you cannot admit it. I certainly am when I go out there.
@Mister Miggs, I read your comment Monday and I've thought about it a lot since then. There is a certain amount of risk Stan is taking. He is well aware of the risk. He is also very experienced. Your plea to BACK OFF ALREADY! is a hind sight reaction. It's like telling someone they should not have gone to work the day they had a serious car accident on the way to work. Hind sight is 20/20. I've driven over 1,050 miles in just the last two days. I listened to an Audible Audiobook: Campfire Stories: Close Calls, by Steve Renella. I very great documentary, spoken in the words of those who experienced near death incidents. Back to Stan's situation with the grizzly bear: He did not intentionally get close. He happened on to it, then he very judiciously backed off and survived. My point is not to be too critical of your comment, but to say there is always a 20/20 perspective that could have avoided a situation. But I don't think any of us wants to sit inside our house, on the couch, to avoid all risk. And even then, we might have a meteor hit out house an kill us. Again, I'm not trying to be too critical, but each of us has to determine the amount of risk we are willing to take, and then take responsibility for it. No one else can do that for us. Thanks, Stan for your videos. And ALL OF US be safe out there!
Being from the Midwest, I only have coyote, deer, and the very rare bobcat as 'large-ish' wild animals. I could not imagine freely walking around Yellowstone like this. I'm just not mentally or physically prepared for experiences like this. I have great respect for your knowledge and courage.
Tough to get startled when the bear is in Russia and you are in Alaska. Must have had to be there. JK, excellent, wish the whole US was like that, not that they didnt have issues back then, obviously the Bears were a bit more of a handful, not having a camera that can see Russia from the US makes bear spotting a bit more difficult. ; )
With the sign I see there and trees scratched ,I wouldn’t want to duplicate what you are doing ,I was nervous watching the Video ,for your sake and I’m thousand off kilometres away ,no place for me
I often wonder if people who hike out in bear country like Yellowstone have a death wish . You couldn’t pay me enough money in the world to do it , Just sayin 😊.
You're brave and respectful brother. I definitely wouldn't do that by myself even with a bear spray. I will have to have a really good gun/s and hike with an experienced hiker like you. very enjoyable to watch. Thank you for taking us along
You got to be careful walking through those quakes like that. I was walking through the bushes like that and a grizzly popped up that was laying down. He was so close that i could feel his breath on my face. He roared so loud in my face that i could feel it inside my body. I started praying, oh God, father don't let this bear attack me i do not want to be bear poop. I heard God's voice, he said back up slowly don't look him in the eyes. So i backed up slowly for about twenty feet. Then i turned and ran to the van. Thank God that i was not far off the road. The bear laid back down by that quake bush. When i was watching you walk through these bushes like that i expected a bear to pop up at any second.
Stan, I was wondering, does the Grizzly have any enemies in the wilderness that he fears, or that he has to be worried about, or is he the absolute apex predator with nothing to fear? I know that wild animals always have man to fear, but I don’t mean that. Thanks, and God bless to keep you safe.
Hello, I've watched a few of your videos. That's what i do is hike solitary in nature. I enjoy it immensely, i always try to improve the trail by picking up litter i find. I didn't get a sense of a scare with the bear, he was much too far and disinterested.
That was a really great video. Yellowstone is such a remarkable place, especially in the backcountry. I spent a summer there decades ago, before the wolf reintroduction. What part of the park was this video taken?
It’s nice to hike in all kinds of weather conditions . We don’t have to wait for perfect weather . You wouldn’t get much done if your waiting for perfect weather.
Meaning you probably should not go solo hiking in grizzly country until you get some experience hiking in groups. Be sure you know how your reaction will be when having a close encounter with a grizzly. Normally they are very predictable but you can always run into a grizzly that is upset and in a bad mood. So knowing how you are going to handle the situation is important. The only way to know is from the experience of having it happen.
Just want you to know Stan, that there is no other person on TH-cam who i look more forward to watching their content than you. Your style of just walking and talking just is as real and unscripted as it gets. I admire the hell out of you with your faith and all your knowledge and experience of the Yellowstone ecosystem and wildlife. Not to mention your artistic ability.
Just want to say thank you for taking me to a place that my heart aches to be at but current life commitments keeps me in Ohio for now.
Maybe some day i'll be able to spend a lot more time there or live there but for now I'm thankful for what i have.
Thanks again Stan!
Thank you for the nice comments. I am 100% sure that you will spend time in the Yellowstone area some day.
You are going to end up on the news * youtuber mauled to death* - geeszh give these wild animals their last wild place in the lower 48.
Another educational hike into the backcountry of Yellowstone. Hiking quietly while leaving no trace = respect. Many thanks Stan
Not sure hiking quietly is the best option in these scenarios, by you don’t have to be obnoxious either.
In bear country most attacks happen by quietly surprising a bear. You are supposed to wear bells, or talk loudly enough... Like, hey bear, hey bear so the bear knows you are there. And if you have a gun they are a protected species and Im sure the game warden would love to watch your you tube video sneaking up on bears and then shooting them when they respond to you.
@@deeannwatson4453 HE has never sneaked up on any bear, in all the many years he's been out there and he has NEVER even had to use his bear spray. Of course he has never shot any bear considering HE CARRIES NO GUN.
It only takes that ONE time. ALL of the literature in Yellowstone says to MAKE NOISE!
Beautiful! And I love the sound of the rain. Always so peaceful.
Your videos are absolutely amazing. Must say it always blows my mind how bad our noses are compared to most animals. You just walked in the rain and the bear could still smell you after several minutes.
I am glad he did smell me. He was about 150 yards away when I saw him heading right towards me. It is a little scary when you are not sure if he is heading towards you on purpose or by accident. If you watch some of my older videos, this grizzly does the same thing every time. In the mornings he always heads towards the east, and at night he always goes west.
Great job so glad you took time out in the rain to hike. The male grizzly was on the move , nice to see him. Great surprise how he ended up close to exactly where you were headed. Another encounter up close ! What a beautiful bear. Nice hike thank you the shots of everything came out good considering weather conditions. Praise the lord!!!
So nice to see a video of how to respectfully admire Yellowstone wildlife. These tourist video's where they try to touch the bison are infuriating. Thanks Stan for the great video today!
Yes, treating a wild animal as if it is not wild is very disrespectful to the wild animal. Thank you for your comments.
I must admit I was a little fearful for you! But if there is anyone who can do something like this, it’s you. It was a beautiful, healthy looking bear, thanks so much for sharing him with us!
some of the best hiking...trails to yourself and the wildlife....thx for the views
Thanks Stan for another excellent video. It was great to see that Griz readjust his path once he got your sent. As always stay safe and blessed enjoying God's Country 🙏
Nice video Stan! The videos of your are such great resources to teach folks how to hike in Grizzly country. 👍
Unfortunately, it makes people think it is safe to hike in Grizzley country, play stupid games / win stupid prizes...it's just a matter of time until he becomes a meal.
Hmmm. An interesting lead up to ... not much in the way of content, other than a walk through the woods. Two minutes of content streeeeeeetched to 16.
I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning, just by the title. Beautiful even in the rain. Loved the yellow flowers.
Glad it was a safe hike.
Thank you, Stan. As always, thank you for the wise guidance you provide. This type of travel is never without risk. Anything can happen. But, with some tips you've provided over the years, and some common sense, a lot of risk can be mitigated.
That's right and the very best way you can mitigate that risk is by carrying the right type of gun loaded with the right ammo. Anyone who goes into brown bear country without a good grizzly gun is rolling the dice and if they survive it's pure luck and only because the bear allowed them to survive. I'd rather trust my survival to myself. The best setup is a smith and wesson m&p 10mm with flat tipped copper bullets with a hot load. 15+1 capacity. And really it's best to also carry a good high powered rifle on a shoulder sling as well. But at minimum a 10mm and extra full mag.
Your assessment of where the Bear will be is wrong!! They love semi open timber at all but the hottest time of day. When it gets hot they seek the dark cooler timber. None of that is 100% though. They are very individualistic!!
appreciate your approach to nature and commentary Stan - cheers!
I really appreciate your videos! I’m curious, though, you’re concerned about visibility in the fog, yet you start hiking in the dark?
Yes. The dark does not bother me but thick fog does. Maybe it is because I can still see a little in the dark.
Thanks Stan for sharing the Yellowstone experience with us. Most of us will never see the back country like you do or experience the bear sightings that you experience. Looking forward to visiting Yellowstone again in September but probably won't do any extensive hiking. God bless you as you appreciate God's creation. 👍🙏
Facinating to watch sitting here back in England - To my mind it's a given re respect. But I know many, even in our small back woods, don't. Keep well & thank you 👍😊
Great video Stan. I've learned a lot from you over the years. It's neat that you meet the same "friends" from year to year. I'm headed for some hikes in SW Utah hoping to keep my feet dry.
I have done a lot of hiking in amazing SW Utah, but it was before we had digital video cameras. I have a lot of still pictures.
I enjoy your videos so much! Thank you
One of these times it will not work out for you so well.
You are pushing your luck
So many say they are experienced right up to were they are attacked.
Luck has nothing to do with it. Your life does not need to be a game of chance.
@@StanMillsPROVIDENCE is a fallacy. What happened to the martyrs @ The Coliseum ..
Good Sunday morning to you Stan. Your video is in such contrast to the videos of tourist(s) trying to 'pet' the bison, which seems to be a perpetual, and idiotic phenomenon in Yellowstone. Your comments of "respect the wildlife" always rings true. One question: is there a particular brand of bear spray that you prefer or recommend?
I always have one can of UDAP and another of something else. I can’t say if one is better than the other. But I do have about 20 old cans out in the garage. Maybe I should do a video on testing old cans of bear spray and see if they work or not.
Knowing how to do it is important pf course but walking on game trails in cover in grizzly country is always a 50-50 crap shot. Trouble is that means you have a 50% chance of an encounter and I do not believe that grizz care at all about how respectful you are being.
Thank you for you opinion and comment. Can’t say you are right or wrong. I don’t think anyone can know for sure.
Gorgeous! But I have to say that I watch your videos w expectant horror. I am so scared for you Stan! I love wildlife. I always have. But I do not have the guts to walk out in nature the way you do! I love the way you approach your hikes and I know you have a lot of experience. And I am thankful that there are people like you willing to show the world areas that others may never tread!
My shorts are full just watching this, I can’t imagine being there!! 😳 But I’m terrified of bears. (I’ve had nightmares my entire life involving bears). That being said, I greatly appreciate you sharing these phenomenal interactions that show they aren’t monster man eaters.
Cheers 🐻🦌🐻🙂
I faithfully watch your videos, Stan, but the way you walk the fringes on the backcountry gives me the heebee geebees! it is obvious you are very experienced so I know you are sure of what you are doing. My first bear surprise came when I was hiking and had stopped on the trail and noticed a dead porcupine on the side of the trail. within 30 seconds I heard a big WOOOF come from the trees and I moved on down the line with a cautious purpose!
I've hiked in Yellowstone a few dozen times. In my opinion this is irresponsible. First he went looking for the bear. It's not a startling experience when you go look for it. This is no different than the people who take selfies with buffalo and then are suprised when they get gored.
Well he isn’t out to harm the grizzly. He is willing to take the risk because he admires the grizzly and wants to see them up close. Nothing wrong with that.
He always emphasizes safety such as never surprising the bears. And he fervently looks for signs such as tracks, scat, and other things that tells him they maybe near. And he always take bear spray with him, and never really get that close to them. I initially thought he was being unwise, but I see how cautious he is; therefore, I try not to judge him, because of how careful he is!
Stunning wildlife, but a future episode of scary bear attacks in the making?
@@marjorjorietillman856he does not take bear spray
Thanks again for a great video. Love walking in the rain. Think I spotted the same boar several years ago in Hayden valley
I cant tell if you were carrying a gun but if not you're making the worst rookie mistake anyone could make. You may think you can be safe without a gun but if you survive its only pure luck and because the bear decided to allow you to survive. At the very least you need a handgun. A smith and wesson m&p 10mm is the best handgun for big bears if you use the right ammo. 15 round mags with one in the chamber. So you have 16 chances to hit the brain or spinal cord because thats the only way to stop them. A heart or lung shot and theyll kill you before they bleed out. Many guys who thought they were safe have been killed by brown bears. Also lots of guys who carry revolvers because they think a 44 magnum is better than a high caliber modern semi automatic like the m&p 10mm. Glocks in 10mm are good to but the m&p is half the price with near perfect reliability. As reliable as any semi auto handgun. Its 400 bucks to put your survival into your own hands instead of letting it be the bears choice if you live another day.
I do carry 2 cans of bear spray. I invite you to spend some time on my "grizzly bears" play list on my channel. Thank you for your comments and have a great day.
Not sure who was surprised the most , You or the Bear. The Bear did vacate the scene rather quickly.
Thanks for sharing your videos with us 😊
First time viewer… love that you acknowledge our Lord and creator in your travels. The older I get (64) the more I appreciate all that God has provided. May Jesus bless you with good health and safety !
Yes, God is gracious and patient.
@@marilynwillett804invisible and intangible, almost as if non existent.
They should hunt down bigfoot like this. Everyone is too scared . Grizzy is way more dangerous.
Great video Stan. Scary encounter!
I just have one question, Why? How nice it would be to "peacefully and respectfully" leave the outdoor zoo know as Yellowstone alone once in awhile. Same old tired shots of "widflowers" and pestered animals. Where's the respect in that? Just because you can, I guess. What a sorry mess.
Here is my channel description to help you with "why":This channel is about the amazing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Go out and explore Gods beautiful creation and enjoy the amazing wildlife that he placed in it. This includes the grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, cougars and everything else.
Maybe this video won't be the same old tired shots: th-cam.com/video/0ZFy9JO-t18/w-d-xo.html
or this one: th-cam.com/video/O7XP1AxEFac/w-d-xo.html
I have a lot of videos on my channel. Thank you for your comments and opinions.
@@StanMills I've been to Yellowstone several times, watching the human hoardes hovering over the "I don't have a choice this is my home" animals. Right off the bat in your video link, "the black wolf spotted me." I don't go to Yellowstone anymore. I find it depressing. Depressing in the sense there is never a time when the wildlife can count on just being wildlife and left to do their own
thing. Try remote Alaska. Your filming abilities are very good. Thank-you for your reply.
Are you armed with a firearm on these hikes? Is that even allowed in or around the Yellowstone area? I guess you have bear spray.
Once when I was standing in the desert in Nevada a herd of wild mules came running over the hill, in my direction. [I guess they're there still procreating from the old days of the silver miners] One mule came and stood next to me, I could see he had what looked like a painful bite on the side of his hip. I told him to stand still and he did. I went back to my old station wagon and got some peroxide, I poured some on his wound. Then I told him 'Ok go join your friends' and he did. That is a very true story.
My camera has a setting that warns if no memory card is in. Perhaps your camera does as well? I enjoy learning about bears from your experience. On rainy days do Mountain Lion hang around in the trees?
Not sure. Mountain lions are hard to spot.
'slowly doing things', as you suggest is the best way... but will never avoid a quick attack !!
Another great video, thanks. Stay safe
Thanks for posting. ❤ your videos.
My hats off to you sir! That was pretty close. I'm glad he went the other way. Thank you so much for the videos! Safe travels to you!
Safe travels to you in God's beautiful country
4 legs are better than 2 🦤
Good title Stan - the words ‘Grizzly Encounter’ always mean the video will get 10x the normal views…even though I don’t think that’s the primary reason you do this…
Also - haven’t heard you talk too much about the bear habits in terms of specifics of when/why they will be out in the open vs when they might be in a grove of trees. Would love to hear you expand on that a little in a future video.
Also - wondering how tactics would change if that fog had rolled in thick. Would you make more noise as a precaution? Or would you just cross your fingers and go?
I have been watching this bear for about 8 years. He always moves east in the morning which means he moves west at night over his range. Knowing that, it makes it easy for me to find him. As far as tactics in thick fog, you may have seen me climb a tree in at least one of my videos. Early spring in the nice cool wet weather they are pretty much out in the open feeding. A lot of that time will be up close to the snow line. In late summer they are extremely hard to find in the heat of the day. Early morning hikes in the darkness is a good time to meet them on the trail moving from lower elevations to higher elevations.
I am not an expert on bears but I believe if you asked one they would tell you that most always bear know exactly where you are and being ambush predators it is no coincidence when they get closer as you think they are nonchalantly moving in no particular direction.
Literal definition of "go looking for trouble"
Thank you for watching my videos in God’s beautiful creation.
You must have a death wish of being attacked by grizzly
I don't live a life of fear. I am out living in Gods beautiful creation in peace and freedom.
@@StanMillsSOUNDS overtly idealistic, ntm self-predatory. Beautiful and lofty, definitively, AND samurai-like or rather Ronin ...Kurosawa and Mizoguchi showed the attitude in many of their films. Suggest watch THE SWORD OF DOOM while contemplating the Bushido - the way of the warrior. Plenty of equal serenity and inner calmness in your attitude no matter the different religion ...Life will prevail even in death, the transition is an entrance into eternity. Nothing terrible about it, happens to everybody - not just the NDE -experiencers nor shark-bite victims ... "Destiny will find those who take heed of it ; Fate will locate the rest ..."
Startling??? more like lam...........
That don't understand the point of you telling people to be respectful and peaceful in God's country. I understand the respectful part but the peaceful part? Lol
I was out in Hayden valley hiking, and we roused up a grizzly, which ran off, so we continued to watch it from a hill as it wandered through a herd of bison - anyway eventually it laid down in the sage brush for about 45 minutes, completely disappearing. It was in the middle of the day, so I had always figured I could see one off in the sage if you are hiking, but clearly not if they are napping.
Another wonderful vid. Thanks a lot. I cherish your philosophy "peacefully and respectfully", indeed to leave no lasting traces, just like the creation around you.
Nice video again, always beautiful. FYI, I hike in the rain too. My first visit to this park was July 2019, I was there a week, at least three days had tremendous thunderstorms. With a lot of lighting, I had to lay flat on the ground. It hailed too, while I was looking at the wildflowers since I was face to face with the flowers😅
All the animals you come across are running away from you quit harrasing them before you end up like the grizzly man
Thanks Stan rain is life giving
Thanks for the video, wonderful day for u and wonderful start to mine! I feel I can breathe better watching and listening to you and nature. Beautiful bear, scenery and light. Thanks again.
Excellent. Another wonderful video. Thanks Stan.
As someone who stumbled across this video, all I can say is holy cow & respect your experience. The golden wildflowers were stunning, the white tail deer beautiful & the bear too close! Pls, take care♥
Stunning footage, and that’s a go-pro?! I love your work. Thank you.
Glade your safe nice video thank you for sharing
Go pet him. Don’t respect nature. They just teddy bears…
Thanks, Stan! So interesting to hike in the rain and fog with you. Even though the Canon is not waterproof, the videos are always great!
Btw, I love being out in the elements also.
Question, do you carry bear spray and if you do which brand do you carry? Also do you carry a pistol in a chest holster? Reason I ask about the firearm is I’m sure bear spray won’t always work and what if there are multiple bear?
Thank you for being a responsible photographer unlike the many I see attempting to get close to these beautiful wild animals. Then if one of those irresponsible people get injured or killed most times they track down the animal and kill it. Not cool.
So thank you for being the rare responsible professional.
I always carry 2 cans of bear spray (but have never had to use bear spray). Right now I have UDAP and Counter Assault. I don't carry a fire arm. You can't use them in the Park, plus, I could never shoot a bear anyway. Thank you for your comments.
Close call. Never disappoints. Do you ever see rattlesnakes in the sage brush? I’m more afraid of them when hiking in YNP.
I never have seen them or heard them.
Great news. I’m so envious of you hiking 16 miles a day at times. I have bad knees and can only hike a few miles. If I got a knee replacement I could be like you!! ❤️
Thank you for the awesome video.
I love how the elks and deer stop and stare at Stan! And that black bear seemed to be a nice size! ❤😅
😎🦅🇺🇸👍🦬🫎
Amazing how fast the Fatty's can be
Be careful and peaceful and carry a large caliber firearm. 👍
Howdy Stan...just found your channel and enjoying the content...subbed...great stuff...woods
Everyone’s thinking the same thing I am but not saying it. This is just as bad as swimming in the ocean. Sorry,but there’s just some places man is not meant to be
I live on the coast and won't give in to fear of sharks, no way I'm going to not participate in this wonderful world. You know what I'm really afraid of? Teenage girls texting and driving, see it every day and there's always someone crossing into my lane. I'll take the shark...
There’s always the unexpected. Bridge over the river Kwai.
I may have missed it but do you carry any bear spray with you? Nice video.
Yes, 2 cans.
What did you look like in your poncho maybe another bear. When you become dinner and they kill that boar what have you done for wildlife?
Genesis 9:5 If an animal kills someone, that animal must die.
Matthew 10:35 Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them.
Great video Stan ,be careful my friend it’s the ones you don’t see that should worry you !
Yes, you can think about it that way but since I never saw them or knew they were there, I never got worried about them. But that does bring up the question, how many bears saw me that I never knew about. Sometimes that worries me when I think about it.
Why do people separate humans from nature? Yes, it's the bears' home, but it's ours too. We are as much a part of nature as any animal... until we separate ourselves from nature. The division between humans and animals is a construction of peoples' flawed thinking. For those who wish to separate themselves from nature... I almost feel sorry for you. As for me, I never feel more at home than when I'm snug in Mother Nature's arms. I would think that you would feel the same Stan.
Yes, you are right. Us selfish humans have that luxury. The animals don’t. That is the only home they have. I work at giving greater consideration to the circumstances of other living things, not just myself.
@@StanMills Right, but including yourself among all God's creatures puts you on the their level. The indulgence that human's like to assert is that we are somehow above them... better than them. You are a man of nature and know that we are not, that's why you show them the respect that you do... because we (you) share their home and they share ours. That is a level of kinship that far too many "modern" people deny. Those of us who embrace nature and wildlife, whose spirits are entwined with those of the wind, the mountains, and the animals, are forever a part of it. Native Americans knew this and it was the heart of their culture. I never consider that I'm trespassing in their home and never consider that they're trespassing in mine. I freely accept that I'm a part of them and that they are part of me. And that, my friend, gives me comfort and peace.
Curious if you are on an animal Trail rather than a human hiking trail. You have way more nerve than I do. I love hiking and have been through Yellowstone on Horseback but never by foot. I'm very cautious of these giant fuzzy bears
I am off trail. My opinion is that exploring on horseback is a safer way to do it (if you have a good horse) and from my observations being on horse doesn’t seem to alarm the wildlife very much. If wildlife and bears see you on foot they seem to react differently.
@@StanMills agreed
Your fans will attack me for saying this but somebody needs to plead with you ---- BACK OFF ALREADY ! --- You are repeatedly getting way too close. He was no 150 yards away. About half that length.
Been doing this most of my life. But you don't realize that I am hiking where other people hike also. The difference is, I know what to look for. Other people are out there hiking and thinking there is nothing around. There are over 700 grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, they are everywhere. Just because you don't see any doesn't mean they are not seeing you. I happen to hike a lot and I know when, where, and what to look for (from experience). So I kinda think I am better off then the average hiker. I mainly only show the videos in which I see bears. I don't publish the countless videos that don't have bears in them. But thanks for your concerns and comments.
It only takes one bear to be in a bad mood, have a kill you happen to walk next too, or many other things that experience makes no difference in. It’s Russian Roulette going out there that often. I can only assume you are heavily armed, though you cannot admit it. I certainly am when I go out there.
@Mister Miggs, I read your comment Monday and I've thought about it a lot since then. There is a certain amount of risk Stan is taking. He is well aware of the risk. He is also very experienced. Your plea to BACK OFF ALREADY! is a hind sight reaction. It's like telling someone they should not have gone to work the day they had a serious car accident on the way to work. Hind sight is 20/20. I've driven over 1,050 miles in just the last two days. I listened to an Audible Audiobook: Campfire Stories: Close Calls, by Steve Renella. I very great documentary, spoken in the words of those who experienced near death incidents. Back to Stan's situation with the grizzly bear: He did not intentionally get close. He happened on to it, then he very judiciously backed off and survived.
My point is not to be too critical of your comment, but to say there is always a 20/20 perspective that could have avoided a situation. But I don't think any of us wants to sit inside our house, on the couch, to avoid all risk. And even then, we might have a meteor hit out house an kill us.
Again, I'm not trying to be too critical, but each of us has to determine the amount of risk we are willing to take, and then take responsibility for it. No one else can do that for us.
Thanks, Stan for your videos. And ALL OF US be safe out there!
@@mtb4ever285 I really do like his videos. They are the closest ones I have found to feeling like I am actually out there experiencing it myself.
@@jamesduck926 I agree wholeheartedly!
Your an ID E IT !! & soon a tasty snack for old Grizz !!
First bear wasn't a Grizzly. Straight nose...2nd one definitely looked like a Griz.
Bear was like 500 yards away ….
That is a busy deer trail
Being from the Midwest, I only have coyote, deer, and the very rare bobcat as 'large-ish' wild animals. I could not imagine freely walking around Yellowstone like this. I'm just not mentally or physically prepared for experiences like this. I have great respect for your knowledge and courage.
Tough to get startled when the bear is in Russia and you are in Alaska. Must have had to be there. JK, excellent, wish the whole US was like that, not that they didnt have issues back then, obviously the Bears were a bit more of a handful, not having a camera that can see Russia from the US makes bear spotting a bit more difficult. ; )
With the sign I see there and trees scratched ,I wouldn’t want to duplicate what you are doing ,I was nervous watching the Video ,for your sake and I’m thousand off kilometres away ,no place for me
when was the "scare?"
I often wonder if people who hike out in bear country like Yellowstone have a death wish . You couldn’t pay me enough money in the world to do it , Just sayin 😊.
You're brave and respectful brother. I definitely wouldn't do that by myself even with a bear spray. I will have to have a really good gun/s and hike with an experienced hiker like you. very enjoyable to watch. Thank you for taking us along
You got to be careful walking through those quakes like that. I was walking through the bushes like that and a grizzly popped up that was laying down. He was so close that i could feel his breath on my face. He roared so loud in my face that i could feel it inside my body. I started praying, oh God, father don't let this bear attack me i do not want to be bear poop. I heard God's voice, he said back up slowly don't look him in the eyes. So i backed up slowly for about twenty feet. Then i turned and ran to the van. Thank God that i was not far off the road. The bear laid back down by that quake bush.
When i was watching you walk through these bushes like that i expected a bear to pop up at any second.
You have balls of steel. I'm the last person that would be seeking to find a grizzly bear in the back country
Stan, I was wondering, does the Grizzly have any enemies in the wilderness that he fears, or that he has to be worried about, or is he the absolute apex predator with nothing to fear? I know that wild animals always have man to fear, but I don’t mean that. Thanks, and God bless to keep you safe.
Hello, I've watched a few of your videos. That's what i do is hike solitary in nature. I enjoy it immensely, i always try to improve the trail by picking up litter i find. I didn't get a sense of a scare with the bear, he was much too far and disinterested.
What a joke
Nice video Stan, just be very very careful out there, hate to hear that you were grizzly bear food, and I'm not even joking.
That was a really great video. Yellowstone is such a remarkable place, especially in the backcountry. I spent a summer there decades ago, before the wolf reintroduction. What part of the park was this video taken?
looks like a black bear, not a grizzly
It is not always easy to see the difference. But look at the video at the 10:39 mark. What do you think? Thanks
You said griz not black
Black grizzly bear.
Great video , I was kind of a scared watching because I know this is real footage. You know what you doing so keep up the good work Stan…
“People don’t hike in the rain.” Stan, you’re a person 😂.
It’s nice to hike in all kinds of weather conditions . We don’t have to wait for perfect weather . You wouldn’t get much done if your waiting for perfect weather.
What do you mean "you gotta know what you're doing" bears don't stay in one place and are very unpredictable yet predictable
Meaning you probably should not go solo hiking in grizzly country until you get some experience hiking in groups. Be sure you know how your reaction will be when having a close encounter with a grizzly. Normally they are very predictable but you can always run into a grizzly that is upset and in a bad mood. So knowing how you are going to handle the situation is important. The only way to know is from the experience of having it happen.
Have you ever ran into another human while out hiking the backcountry? Or a cougar?