Montana Bear Stories
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2020
- Everyone always asks us about the bears here in Montana. There are many Montana bear stories out there but the most famous Montana bear story is known as "The Night of the Grizzlies". In 1967, two girls were killed in Glacier National Park by 2 different bears in 2 different parts of the park. The man we talk to in this video was a park ranger that night and he had to kill one of the bears. It is a tragic story that took place in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
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Great video! And, one hundred percent dead on correct! (We live in North Idaho). Everyone who recreates in the NW should be required to watch this. A clean campsite is a must. And, always leave a place cleaner than how you found it.
I was in Glacier Park camping with friends shortly after that . We heard all kinds of stories about what happened. Some said they had been feeding the bears. We slept 4 in a tent and nobody wanted to sleep by the wall. In the morning there were bear tracks outside the tent. It’s good to hear the real story. Thank you so much🙋♂️
Had a bear come down to the creek i was panning for gold up Libby creek banged my shovel on the boulders and it went away. I was also up by hungry horses dam up Judith creek area and panning when i looked up after parking my jeep i saw a sign. Welcome you are now in grizzly bear country keep aware of your surroundings. I went down to the Creek and panned alone then felt as thou something was watching me. near the creek was so loud all you hear is rushing water all the sudden i felt the hair stand up on my neck and all over my body. I looked down and saw a pile of berries in skat. I packed up instantly and when i got in my jeep i hear trees popping and moving i left and thanked my native America roots for the heads up. When you see one lone tree moving and there is no wind its a bear rubbing on that tree. Time to leave and give brother bear his space.
Excellent video. I was in high school when these fatal maulings occurred, but remember them well. What an honor to hear the story from a Ranger who was there on that night and actually killed one of the bears. Please continue showing these videos.
Great video. It really bothers me every time we see trash in the woods. Thank you for sharing your father-in-laws story. Its very educational for those who don't understand the consequences of not picking up after themselves.
Gee , i thought it was because the super smart educated rangers were feeding the bears and encouraging others to do as well . Stupid people.
Please keep a pristine camp site the bears thank you
I live in Iowa and worked with a lady that told me the story about this. One of the girls was her step sister that got killed. Said the bear drug her away in her sleeping bag. Also she mentioned that her sister was having her monthly cycle and they thought that might have been part of the reason. Yes very sad story. Sometimes takes a tragedy for things to change.
I have heard that particular bear was starving. Probably because of the glass in its mouth... It had been reported, a few times if I recall, for being scary to other people, as well. I thought maybe some Boy Scouts had an encounter with the bear, not long before the attack on the girl... Its tragic all the way around, because the bear was starving and in pain, and then that precious girl lost her life... I'm sure the lady you worked with, is still haunted by her step sisters death. It's not something one can ever get over...
I don't know if you have read the book, Night of The Grizzlies, but its very informative on what happened. I never go into the woods, here in Montana, without a gun. My gun is a smaller caliber, unfortunately, but I would rather have it than not.
My extended family lived in Whitefish and told me about this story when I was a kid.
This is a great video. I’ve read the book The Night of the Grizzlies. Great to hear the story of someone there. Thanks for sharing.
Thoroughly enjoyed this; thank you.
Thanks for the first hand account. I read the book a while back. I have encountered many bears myself and that story is always in my mind but never had any trouble so far.
Anyone who has grown up hunting and fishing knows that Montana is bear country. It really is the untamed wild. I wouldn’t carry anything less than a 357 magnum if I was doing anything outdoors in Montana
Amen
Glock 20. Underwood 200 grain hitek hard cast. Bear spray and a side arm for incase it gets ugly. First thing you do is go the other way. Of course you won't get a heart from the dude who made the video. They like to advertise this place like it's a giant cash cow. Invite the rich to kick out the poor.
The very first wisdom is the preventative of wearing bear-bells on one's beltloop or pack, so that bears hear you coming with every step you take. Prevention is key. When bears hear human presence, they typically head in the opposite direction, so it's important to use sound to alert bears to prevent a surprise encounter. One is ill-prepared if they are not wearing bear-bells. Every other measure is secondary, as prevention of encounter is first.
This video was informative and I appreciate the time you took to make it. Bert's eyewitness observations make the story come alive and, as you said, his comments will help round out the history of these horrific events. I'm glad to know that the lessons learned were applied to improving safety for humans and animals. My husband and I met Bert and Janey in Sept. 2012 at Red Canyon Campground near Bryce Canyon. Afterwards we "friended" him on Facebook and since then have enjoyed learning more about his active and interesting life. If you're looking for more subjects for your videos how about interviewing other eyewitnesses to history as well as other "old timers" who led lives of self sufficiency and resourcefulness. Although not related to Montana, I'm aware of a few of Bert's experiences in Alaska and would like to hear him telling some of those stories, too. But getting back to topics about Montana, we're interested in Native Americans, rock hunting, geology, paleontology, and pictographs/petroglyphs.
Thank you for sharing!
Very interesting thank you for sharing your story and wisdom about this subject
Great commentary thank you for all you have done for the bears🌹
Glad you enjoyed it
Great story, thank you for sharing. That’s pretty awesome to hear that direct experience memory.
Thank you for sharing this.
Very sad!!! Thank you for sharing.
Very sad two young girls lost their lives. Lesson to be learned about leaving no trace, being educated in being in the backwoods, garbage management. It's never the bears fault. Humans must be smart and vigilant. Very interesting to hear this first hand account. I'm sure Bert has seen many changes over the years. Aside from the burnt trees.. it's still a most stunning backdrop.. Very interesting video you guys :)
Whoa! What a heartbreaking story. Thank you for sharing.
Timeless story. Thanks for sharing.
What a story! Big kudos to your father in law! He made a difference! Grizzly country scares the crap out of me, but it holds the most intrigue to me. Beautiful, wild country.
Bottom line, keep it clean, less you get a hungry sow with glass stuck in her jaw.
Great video!
Hi, Is one of the main reasons for this event that the unconscious litter directly or indirectly changes the behavior of animals and even damages their functions and leads them to humans who are easy prey as a result?
@@kamalrex1
Food or food-related trash draws bears, and when a pattern becomes established of that, at that location, the bears then relate food to the presence (or smell) of humans, thus associating humans with food. It teaches the bears to make that association, which then puts both people and bears at risk. Those of us who grew up under the teaching of Forest Service rangers heard from them many a time, that "A fed bear is a dead bear" because that is usually the unfortunate outcome. It's very important to not feed wildlife because it builds in them food-dependency and the resulting risks, and to keep a clean campsite and food stored/put away per the rangers' recommendations. Bears will habitually return to places they have found food before, so it creates risks. A surprised bear can be a dangerous bear. That is why it's so important to make noise in the forest, so that the bear is alerted to human presence, which usually motivates the bear to leave the area. An easy way to do that is to wear bear-bells on one's beltloop or pack, so one doesn't have to talk all the time.
@@cacatr4495 Such a cause-effect relationship is explained so clearly and beautifully. I would like to share the information in this answer myself.
Thanks for the first person report and video of the scene. It's a great supplement Night of the Grizzlies.
Great story. Happy to watch more like it.
Interesting! I love that part of the west. I've traveled to Montana several times but never to Glacier NP. Thanks!!!
Wow, amazing story!
This video was awesome!!!! Thank you for this. So cool!!!
Phillip Stephanik Thanks for watching!
Living in Montana I’ve been watching all your videos. You do such a great job showcasing Montana. Keep it up! We may move there one day. ;)
Great stories,,,,love Montana history...
I lived in Ferndale at the time. The one girl was from the Swan Lake area. It was very sad.
What a story! Woof! Thank goodness there is a better understanding and respect for the wildlife there.
Loved this sad story.
I watched Night of the Grizzlies and was really impressed with the way the helicopter pilot got around that horrible night with the ranger holding a flashlight and shining it on the mountain and trees for the pilot to see because they didn’t have instruments at that time for night flying.
Great video I think the Gentleman in the video telling about the maulings would be very interesting to talk with about His time as a Ranger
Filmed in my backyard , I am a guide and live in these parts . Most tourist and even some locals have no clue what to do in some of these scenarios .
Awwww 😔😔😔😔Thank u very much 4 the story....great job...🖐🏽☕☕☕☕🍰🍰🍰🍰💵
Fabulous video! God Bless your father in law hiking and riding and sound of mind at 80 years of age. Love to see GNP and MT very soon. Yes please more videos about bears, wolves, Moose and more!
I enjoyed the video. I would like to see more like it.
amazing video, i spent a couple months in great falls in 2016 and i want to move to missoula within a year to finish school and experience big sky country for more than a few years.
Great video
I was at Glacier NP in June when this was being shot. Beautiful Park even though we were only allowed to go to McDonald Lake Lodge. Rode our bikes as far as they allowed to the road closure. Saw bear and cubs, but very far away up the side of a mountain. I was glad for it because bears are land sharks to me and I like a lot of distance between us. Note to self... Get some bear spray to carry next time.
Wear bear-bells on your beltloop or pack to alert bears to your presence every time you move/walk. It's a preventative, the sound motivating the bear to leave human presence. It's always best to prevent the encounter rather than to have to use bear spray. A surprised, fearful bear is a dangerous one, so use sound to prevent that surprise encounter. On the trail, it is usually surprise encounters that are the reason bears' and humans' paths cross, and that is easily prevented by using sound.
I have the book that evolved from a writer after those two attacks , very good book and well written .. It took years for the NPS to rethink their policy and make some changes .. Same as with the dump site at Yellowstone , the park service even had very good advice from John & Frank Craghead the two top bear experts of their time , at first the parks didn't follow their advice but over time they did..Your story is good even better as to meet someone involved in the tragic aftermath.. well done ..
What is the name and author of the book..please?
@@pattymiller6696 The title of the book is. The Night of The Grizzly's. I would have to pull the book off my shelf to get the author. Amazon has the book.
@@pattymiller6696 Jack Olsen is the author.
Regarding the night of the Grizzly attacks, did lightning and subsequent fires have anything to do with reason the bears were in those areas. I was one of numerous Air Force personnel from Malmstrom AFB that flew our choppers in for fire support all during that August. We were initially told the bears moved down from higher elevations due to the thunder and lightning storm. We were housed at Apgar village.
According to my father in law, (the ranger in the video) and the book "Night of the Grizzlies", the bears had been in those areas all summer. They were feeding them for a show at Granite Park Chalet every night, and the Trout Lake bear had been chasing campers up there all summer. Thanks for watching the video!
Thank u very beautiful and knowledgeable
Yes more bear videos please, as long as there is no danger to ya'll or anyone else
Excellent! 🏕
Fished the bitterroot and saw many food lockers in that area near camps and parking lots. They seal tightly and are a great asset in keeping food odors from escaping
Enjoyed
I did enjoy the video. But you left some things out. Like how the bears stalked the victims and followed the groups of people zeroing in on the women. I know the family of one of the victims. Is a very tragic story. Hearing it from one of the Rangers tasked with clearing up the mess, was informative. Cheers
Try carrying a 45-70 guide rifle instead of a can of "not going to do the trick" bear spray!
Too damn heavy. Handgun much better because it's easier to carry.
Professional conservationists recommend wearing bells and carrying pepper spray when traveling in bear country. The bells alert the bears to your presence so you don’t startle them. Also important to be able to identify bear skat. Black bears have tar like skat with berries and leaves in it. Grizzly skat is brown, smells like pepper spray, and contains bells.
@@PaulR8284 I’m cryin 😂
Bear spray does work, better than nothing, except a big gun.
Wear BEAR-BELLS, bear-bells, bear-bells! The key is to prevent a surprise bear encounter in the first place, not to have to have one. The sound of the bells moving every time you move will alert the bear to your presence, which in turn motivates the bear to leave the area. I've done a lot of hiking in bear country, and we always wore bear-bells, effectively.
All bear spray is , is a seasoning for the bear to use on you like a taco sauce.
Funny, but obviously not true. Bear spray is quite effective.
@@chase4116
It's more effective to prevent the encounter in the first place, by wearing bear-bells, the sound of which alerts the bear to your presence, to which the bear normally heads in the opposite direction, leaving the area of the human. Any time a spray is involved, 1. you have to be too close to use it, and 2. you have to stop to check the breeze before using it, lest the wind redirects the spray to you. Prevention of surprise bear encounters comes first, and is extremely effective. That has long been known to be wearing bear-bells.
That’s the problem most of the time not the bear. People feeding them and leaving trash behind is terrible. I don’t understand why people leave trash all the time. I always keep extra ziplock/trash bags in my packs and most of the time there are trash areas. Most people I know just burn it but I rather just get rid of it. Great story and beautiful area.👍🍻
I hope I can ride a bike when I’m 80
Weren't there two young males that were killed by a grizzly not too far away from the lodge? They were camping and hanging out in a non designated camping area. This happened years ago if it's true. Just a story I heard
Great video, I'm from nj. Sad but true I'm always picking up garbage when I'm hiking it is so bad I bring a bag with me just to do so.I'm looking to get a chance to get to Montana!
Please, direct me to more videos like this. Very interesting!
Thanks for that, I remember the story as I was living in Bozeman then.
I was there in 1967. The trout lake bear was an old blackbear eating garbage at the cabins on the north side of Lake McD and raiding camps at trout lake. The NPS should have handled this bear.
Pretty crazy, I was born in 1967.
10:03 what and where is/was "Arrow Lake Shelter Cabin" ?
According to Bett, that cabin was torn down in the early 80’s due to budget cuts for maintenance
Wow, what a story. Shame it has bad endings for all evolved.
Beautiful footage...
I remember that happening
Enjoyed your video. Very tragic story and tragically brought on by trash and feeding the bears.
my wife and i visited the park this past august found some bear scat on tghe mc donald lake trail close to the park entrance at west glacier but did not see any bears
U got lucky
Any "law" that prohibits people from carrying a firearm for self defense on public land is a legitimate law!
Amen
8:10 if I only had a bear costume behind him
no more permits anywhere in the state! Long live MONTANA and FREEDOM!
Fascinating, You got to be damn careful in bear Country especially around meandering water flows and tall grass creeks ,rivers lakes, take your time and keep your eyes open and of course be packing some Bear Spray. Stay on the trail or path if available ,don't go aimlessly wondering around.
What about Mountain Lions and wolves? They got those in Montana too right? We may be prepared for Bears but Mountain Lions will sneak up on you and you won’t hear them. I hear wolves don’t attack people unless in a pack and depends on how hungry the wolves are or if rabid.
@@ryancentnarowicz True Mountain Lions stalk and possibly kill you and are also a concern while hiking in Bear Country. It is important to research on what actions one must take when confronted by any of these animal predators, Research the Experts and their advice, It could save a life.
Wear bear-bells on your beltloop or pack, because alerting bears to your presence is the first step to preventing a surprise encounter, as sound will motivate them to head in the opposite direction. One doesn't depend on one's eyes, but uses sound (wearing bear-bells) to alert bears of your presence. Wolves are not usually an issue, and Cougars tend to utilize overhangs from which to ambush their prey, so it's wisdom to steer clear of the crepuscular hours (twilight, dawn, the low-light hours that cougars instinctively use to hunt their prey) and to stay away from big rocks or boulders.
@@cacatr4495 Good advice.
Great story,,,,,great advice,,,,,let's not forget the more recent Ashley Lake incident involving Black Bear feeding...dont feed nor poke the bears..
Hello, I am a person who is very curious about these types of subjects, and I plan to watch this post carefully because it is an element in my language learning and because of my curiosity about the wild nature. Before, I watched a few videos that this event might be related to the sudden change in external environmental conditions. If I comment again later, I hope it will not be wrong and unnecessary.
Marty Brown was thinking the same thing as far what I would be carrying bear spray no 4570 and a 44!
Wearing bear-bells prevents a surprise bear encounter in the first place, because it alerts bears to your presence, which motivates them to leave the area.
What about the bear that killed the other girl - or was it the same bear?
That was a different bear. They ended up killing 3 other bears near the Granite Park chalet.
THANKS FOR THIS !
I ENJOYED THIS INFORMATION AS I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY A BEAR WOULD ATTACK...so sad for the girls killed and the bear who was only trying to survive 😥
It’s so odd that the maulings happened the same night.
Oh it was probably a couple problem bears that the park warden didnt want eliminated after mauling other people . They got bolder and that part of the story gets left out . Just like all the people who go missing in National Parks and their disappearances are covered up by the NP machine . See David Paulides books "missing 411".
Odd, true.
Sounds back
Man is his own worst enemy as well as everything else's. Our presence disturbs pretty much everything!!!
Sound stoped
The sound 😏 is off
Bear spray? Might as well be carrying Glade air freshener!
My buddies dad had a 2 year legal battle for shooting and killing bear in Yosemite that was going after his friend. His friend had sprayed the bear with little effect. It was illegal to have a firearm there, but certainly the right decision.
@@taterpuddin2592 it's sad that protecting yourself, or someone else can cause such undue hardship. I've had to pull the trigger, or be mauled. The trigger was the right choice, regardless of anything else. My life was threatened, I took care of that threat.
@@maddawgnoll said like a poet
@@taterpuddin2592 😎
I just read your user name. Made me laugh for some reason haha
@@maddawgnoll that's my lifelong nickname given by my family. It's a blessing.
Pack it in, pack it out.
So you won't get mauled UNLESS you encounter a sow with cubs or surprise some other bear? That's not very reassuring. No nature hikes for me in bear country.
Mama bear and cubs are the most dangerous, and they should be avoided at all costs.
If you know how to handle yourself, the situation can be defused without incident. It's that small percentage that scares everyone. The rogue male out to claim territory, Mama sneaks up with a surprise attack, the bear that doesn't give up regardless and stalks you. Rarely happens compared to the calm non incidental encounters, but those are the stories we remember. Everyone should be ready for that situation, and be glad it didn't happen. I've had a blackbear come at me. Really fast, really silent, long story short. Glad I had my rifle ready to shoot
Always carry a gun. No matter which state your in. One day it might save your life and always hike with another person
Even guns won't always save you. If you don't kill with the first shots you're going to have a hurt and angry bear that is even more lethal.
Guns not allowed in national parks
@@michaelkays9801 Guns won't always save you but they do 95% of the time. Google "AmmoLand" and "bear attacks" and they have every bear attack on record listed where a handgun was involved. Often times people will be taken down by the bear but finish it off with a headshot while on the ground. Better than dying while being eaten alive.
@@Jaredmk Yes they are. If you have your concealed handgun license you can carry.
People need to realize that wearing bear-bells is the primary and wise way to prevent a surprise encounter with a bear. It alerts the bear to your presence, which then motivates the bear to go in the opposite direction. You want to avoid contact, not engage.
Sound lost
An FBI specialist cut the bear open....WTF does the FBI have to do with this??? smdh!!!!
Forest Bear Investigator 😁
Leave it to humans to screw up a simple idea of viewing wildlife...
I hate the complete lack of concern some people have towards being proper stewards of the environment ... I grew up in Montana being taught that it was our direct responsibility to care for but NOT interrupt the natural order ...