Way too close to Mother Grizzly - Hiking Yellowstone
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- I love to see bears at a safe distance. For me, anything over a couple hundred yards feels safe. But even at that range, a grizzly may still charge you for a lot of reasons. But if you hike in grizzly country as much as I do, then you will have close encounters from time to time. Even being within 150 yards of the first grizzly in this video could be a scary and dangerous situation if the bear had detected me. It was hard to remain there for only about 1 to 2 minutes. Then, moving back down the hill quickly, because I was out of sight, I almost walked into a mother grizzly with 2 cubs. I was about 25 yards away when I saw her in the sagebrush. Fortunately she never looked up in the 60 seconds it took to back away and slightly out of sight. I was able to take a short video at about 100 yards and another at 150 yards before she smelled me. It is possible that after she detected me, she could have move my direction by accident so a person should always have a plan B.
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Thank god she didn’t charge you. Great encounter, but you’re right, when you spend enough time in their domain, you always find yourself to close to danger eventually. Glad this worked out. Great video
Ah Stan, I really love your videos. The way you walk slowly, so peaceful, showing us scenery, nature and animals in their homeland who seem to know you are no threat to them. Thank you.
Reminds me of my off-trail hikes in the 90's: Mary Mountain; Wapiti Lake; Grebe Lake and Specimen Ridge. Saw grizslies all the time. The smallest little dip in the terrain can hide one as they are only waist high when on all fours. Your videos really gives a perfect feel of quiet off-trail hiking. Well done.
Dave, thank you for your comments. It's obvious you have spent a lot of time in Yellowstone. I hope you still get out here.
Great video showing the real thing. I have had a couple of grizzly encounters, the most frightening was in Denali NP. A grizzly came running full gate straight at us. Fortunately the bear was not running to us but was chasing a ground squirrel. We began to breathe again.
I'm not buying a grizzly chasing a ground squirrel
Excellent video footage of Mother Grizzly on her hind legs….her baby too. That was cute.
Good job. That was close. Glad your cool calm and collected. And safe!
I love that you have a very health respect for wildlife.
Respecting the wildlife in their home is what it is all about in God's beautiful creation. Thank you for your comments.
That amazing smell she has is sooo amazing to watch. You can literally see the moment. Obviously you did too to put it in slow motion. Super cool man. One day I'd love to see one. From a little more then 25 yards though 🤣🤣
Wow...amazing and terrifying! Beautiful area.
Thanks for reminding me to bring an extra pair of underwear when I visit Yellowstone.
Sorry, but I could think of just one word when that bear was getting closer. Achoo!! Now that might have made things a little more interesting!
Please consider Closed Captioning, you would be very surprised to see how of us are out here! Thank you for your consideration.
Yes thank you. But is there something special that I need to do on my videos for Closed Caption?
I have no idea became I never post comments unless it’s in response to a comment…sorry. I’m kinda new to this!!
Imagine if Grizzly Bears didn’t have any teeth or claws. They would basically be land manatees. You could play with them!
I bet a manatee could clobber the piss out of a person all the same. Great comment though, I had quite the chuckle!
Molly loved the video she just watched with me she thought it was very exciting !!!
Been backpacking for years and there's one sound that will scare the hell out of any animal, bears and cougars. Take a real leather belt, fold it in half with the smooth outside facing in. Hold both ends, pucker it in the middle, pull fast and snap it. Sounds like a cracking whip and they're off, guaranteed.
You've been watching too many John Wayne movies. I'm sure a grizzly is going to watch you stop, pull the belt from your pants, fold it half, and then wait for you to snap it. Yeah, no.
Wait. You forgot your camera.
Stan, why stay away from the tree-line? Couldn’t it a place of safety for you, if approached with caution?
I must be like a cub - get me UP a TREE!
Staying out in the open allows me to see grizzlies approaching. Also during the day when it gets hot they seem to lay down just inside the tree-line. I used to go looking for them in there but I quit doing that.
I’m immensely glad to know this information. Thank you for your reply.
🌲
Lmfao all of you are on the edge worried about him. Lol I bet he carrys a bigger revolver than dirty hairy. No need to worry here.
Stan doesn’t carry firearms, only 2 cans of bear spray
@@johncarlo2630 And the data shows that spray is more effective than projectiles.
Oh my! When she stood up on alert, I didn't know what she was gonna do! Glad you're safe! Beautiful day in Yellowstone!
She was thanking him for all the recent Good Vibrations.
Mom will not charge too far from her cubs, that protective ethic keeps her close on guard for predators from the rear.
It’s always fascinating to me how quickly, even the smallest cubs, ‘read’ their momma, and understand what to do.
I know, it is amazing. That is why I love seeing all wildlife. It is alway amazing.
One thing I’ve noticed from watching a lot of wild animals is that babies/young juveniles obey their mothers, they don’t fuss, dawdle or argue like humans sometimes do. They know when mom means business. And of course wild animals (adults) always maintain situational awareness. Sharp survival instincts.
Absolutely amazing footage! You have such a calm demeanor, I appreciate how you respect the wildlife 💕 Happy trails
You got some guts going in there so often with no firearm, great footage. You deserve a lot more subscribers!!
Amazing footage, thank you for taking the time to walk us through the experience in such a thorough manner!
Oh! I get it: You've found a way of keeping that heart rate up without having to run, at least not at first...
As much as I love to hike, this is the reason I stay out of the Yellowstone backcountry.
I wish everyone was as smart and responsible as you, Grizzlies die all the time because of selfish hikers that have no non lethal tools like bear spray in back country just guns, it just ensures bears especially sows with cubs always die unnecessarily
@@twostop6895 I would take a compressed air boat horn, a least two bear mace cans and a Glock 40 MOS 10mm handgun with two magazines loaded with 220gr bullets!
I would do my best to stay far enough away and not use any of the above!
after all I’m not hunting bear, I’m hiking / exploring and my tools are defensive. Plus, this may not be the only encounter that day. If I were hunting bear, I’d have a high powered rifle or large gauge shotgun with 000 buck or a slug.
@@twostop6895 If a bear is dumb enough to attack a human then it deserves to die. I hate when people give so much sympathy to a predator that would literally eat you without pause. Smart bears know that humans are the apex creatures and do their best to stay out of conflict with us. Those "weary" genes gets passed along to their offspring and that's how we coexist.
@@john22098 lol, I just baited a problem right winger out of his hole, insert default race we all know who you are
@@twostop6895 giving more value to a human life than a bear`s life is right wing. Ok.
Sound of nature, no music. I simply love it!
That was crazy watching her smell you from that far off. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
I heard that grizzly olfactory is 1000x human... maybe more.
Great footage of the wildlife. Pretty wild seeing momma bear standing up.
Yes, I really admire how he always handles the situation very calmly and has a well-thought out plan. I, an the other hand, would’ve gone into cardiac arrest; I guess that’s why I stick to the easy hikes for the wusses😂
@@kristiejacobs4854 😂😂
Wow very close encounter , you were very good about your approach and spotting an reacting , boy oh boy very close. The first grizzly was a nice bear coming right toward you . Nice exciting adventure !!!! Thank you great video
I've really enjoyed your videos over the last year or so. I would love to know your background, how you've come to know so much about the wilderness. Thanks for sharing these amazing moments with us!
Wow! Amazing footage of these grizzlies in this beautiful area! Thank you for sharing your experience with us! 👍
Great video of the grizzlies …. I could watch them all day (from my car)! Thank you 😊, Stan! As always, please stay safe!
Yeah, heading back a very good plan! excellent videos as always
I've just discovered this channel, and I like everyone else, really appreciate being able to vicariously "experience" the experience of being out there in nature with you and encountering the bears. The high-quality video imagery is amazing, and your narration is very educational. Just from a videographic standpoint, I guess when people have scenes where they appear to be leaving the area where their camera is mounted, it must just be a matter of cutting the scene, and then turning right back around to retrieve your camera. Likewise, when a scene shows you walking in the direction of the camera, you have obviously first gone ahead and placed the camera and then returned to walk towards it as if you were arriving for the first time. Whatever the case, the end result is a great educational presentation of nature. Thanks so much!
That is right, that is how I do it. Thanks for your comments.
I'm glad you were able to quickly detect a large moving hump in the tall grass. It wasn't going to be a camel.
Wow! I've only seen a bear 'make' someone through smell once. That was awesome to see. Good decision-making there bud.
Stan the man,he knows what he's doing
Thank you Stan for leaving the area of momma grizzly and her 2 sweet baby cubs as fast as you did, very smart!! 🤗
Stan, good deal you had not showered for a day or two, saved your life! :) Bear mom is a great mom! :P Love hiking with you! Your videos have me to think about and stop a second and look around surroundings. A lot of the time I am alone on the trail.
That was close Stan and I guess she decided to be a lady; she could have been grumpy and moved in closer. You think their first thought would always be their cubs, but grizzlies have a temper and lose it quick. A friend took a video where the grizzly left her cubs right there on the street and chased after a guy on a skateboard. The only reason he got away was because he went downhill at a neck-breaking speed! The cubs meanwhile were running around lost looking for her while people drove off not wanting to be there when she returned. I bet she would have jumped anyone and anything.-------- I worried when the mother realized you were there, stood up and assessed the situation. Oh wow! I am sure you had quite a few run-ins with bear during your long hiking years and know exactly what and what not to do. All is well that ends well . How interesting and scary. Thanks Stan!
I appreciate that story because I would never expect mom to abandon her cubs in favor of having a bad day. But I live in black bear country.
That was a good one, love seeing the bears, and your interaction with them. Exciting
Outstanding footage and demonstration of using sound wisdom while remaining aware of your surroundings in Nature.
So well done 👍
I know, I take it as augmenting my current skills. Can we get continuing education credits for watching?
Very nice, your respect for bears is well developed ! Last year I ran into 5 bears in one day, all within 50-70 yds, if you are respectful of them, then there could frequently be minimal problems . Best wishes !
It's official. You are nuts putting yourself in that position with mama grizzly bears! Good god
I love how the babies ran to mom lol it was cute. But, I would have been so scared if I saw a momma bear and her cubs.
as long as you have respectful distance mom will not approach you and jeopardize her cubs to other predators. [not that you are a predator though, I hope]
Oh wow! You are so good at what you do and what you don't do. Thank you again for the great hike in that awesome place, our YNP!
That was a great day! Very close encounters with grizzlies and made it hope to talk about it.
Great video.
You are a brave man. I've never seen a grizzly up close like you have. But it must be a very special experience. Thank you and Happy Trails.
25 meters is substantially too close for me. He understands the dynamic of mutual respect.
Love watching your videos. Always learn some dos and dont’s out hiking after watching your awesome videos. My husband and I have hiked yellowstone trails and im scared every time - but the beauty sucks me back in.
So glad all went well…the beauty of summer abounds. My time in the greater Yellowstone/Teton area was extremely calmer yet beauty still surrounded my steps. Thank you Stan for lighting the fire to explore with deep appreciation the goodness of this earth. Be well. Lori Lee
Grizzly’s are utterly fascinating and majestic creatures. Particularly mother bears and their young. The bond between mother and Cubs is arguably like no other in the animal kingdom.
Best way to protect yourself and if you want to pet the cubs put peanut butter and honey on your skin. Add bacon grease.. optional
good way to get a free bear tongue massage, it is all the rage now until someone puts an eye out.
Hopefully it is not just a matter of time. "When you go to the well too often..." I pray for your safety Mr. Mills. God Bless.
I agree completely. Seems like he knows exactly what he’s doing and I can see he’s been at it for a long time, but he’s taking a lot of chances.
@@justhere11 What?
I love your videos, the way you hike and the reason that you hike the way you do. I was just in Yellowstone, driving most of the time and didn’t see even one bear. Well, now at least I know where they all were. Glad I get to see them this way.
What an experience!! Excellent example of what years of experience can do for you.
Great footage and you’re a much braver soul than me! I’m surprised you hadn’t removed bear spray or a weapon from your pack to have in hand in case the worst case happened and she charged you. Could you please explain your thinking or circumstances I might not understand? (Not judging, just curious.)
I don't understand, if the grizzly is heading towards you and you start moving, doesn't that attract attention to you and make the bear curious?
Yes, I agree with you. But I never moved an inch when any of these bears were looking my direction. I have never felt good moving while a grizzly is looking my direction. If you don't move, it seems they look right past you, as in this video. Thanks for your comments.
This is why I walk on my treadmill
Funny how he has the time to videotape himself walking away from the camera and then go back and retrieve the camera multiple times.
John, you don't have to live your life that way. Joy and peace can only come from the LORD. Ask him to enter your life and everything will change. You will get LIFE, it is a free gift.
Awesome video.
Best Bear Country illustrations on TH-cam imo! Recollecting one of your past videos, I decided to hike to Marble Point yesterday. Slept at the Meadow Creek trailhead in my car the night before so I could start hiking before sunrise. Beautiful ridge to hike along and beautiful cliff to hike around. No other soul up there. Saw deer occasionally. No Grizzly 🐻 in my visual reach. Unfortunately🙁? Or thank God😄?
I will be doing that within the next couple weeks.
i think grizzlies pretend they don't see you but know you are there often
I agree with you. Thanks for your comments.
Hey Stan,
Your video's are always AWESOME!!.. little to close with MAMA.. good thing you saw her hump in the brush..
Well done sir! I know folks carry bear spray, but have you heard of people carrying “boat air horns” to scare the bears off? Just curious. 😎🇺🇸🧸
Tis why I bring an electric fence when camping in bear country. 2.4 lbs for good nights’ sleep
Funny you said that. My next video is about a safer way to camp by using my electric fence.
Dang I should have thought of that when camping in back country.
Love your videos. Been watching for awhile. I’m now in Yellowstone at this moment, well… in Gardiner to write this. Haha no service inside. We are tent camping in Indian creek. Thinking about walking part of Big Horn in morning. Thank you for making these wonderful videos.
Well we did about 6 miles in, on Big Horn, today and there he was. Big ol’boy.
He kinda surprised us as we slowly topped the hill. Luckily we had been quiet and really paying attention. Also we were upwind. Exciting experience.
@@Grimmeute exciting. Did you get any video by chance. It would be fun to see.
@@StanMills yes I was able to get some video. But with only my iPhone. Apparently the SD cards in both my GoPro and Nikon camera I bought before going to Yellowstone were defective. I will post videos on my TH-cam channel when I get back to Oklahoma and edit together. Hope they don’t look as bad as they do on a iPhone screen. haha.
@@StanMills I posted my video on my channel finally. Not as great as your stuff. I’m just upset I wasn’t able to use my GoPro and Nikon because we bought a bad batch of SD cards and didn’t know it till it was time to switch out cards. iPhone 12 Pro Max does do great videos if the subject is close. But after 50-75 yards it makes things look like they are 200 yards away.
So Stan, I’ve got like a million questions for you (like what brand of hiking shoes/clothing for each season, etc…) but I’ll keep it to just one for now. I’ve always read one should make noise when hiking in bear country (hey bear and clapping hands) yet you are always silent. In your experience, when should one make noise and when should you be quiet?
You should always make as much noise as possible when trying to avoid bears. Stan is staying silent so he can sneak up on them and view and film them. Very dangerous but he obviously knows the risk and is worth it to him. Me, I make a lot of noise. Lol
@@billoberg6716 I don't usually respond to opinions very often but you are so far off the mark that I need to respond. I hike quietly and peacefully because this is their home and the only one they have left. I don't want to bother the wildlife in any way if I can avoid it. For example the first grizzly never know I was there. It is about treating the wildlife and where they live with respect. For example, If you were sitting down eating a quiet peaceful meal with you family and someone broke into the front door screaming and yelling, how would you feel and how would you respond? It is about exploring God's beautiful creation in a peaceful and respectful way. There is a lot more that goes into the way I hike than people realize. I could probably write a book on it. Thanks for your comments.
@@StanMills I agree with your philosophy, Stan. Being quiet also allows one to have a better experience, hear all the natural sounds and get closer to nature. It does however increase the risk of potentially dangerous encounters. I would not dare going off trail, but even on a trail encounters do happen. Then again, most people exaggerate the chances of an attack. It's a bit of primal fear.
I always enjoy your videos.
@@StanMills I solo-hike about every-other-year in Yellowstone, and have been doing that for years. Like Stan does, I walk slowly and do not make noise - no "Hey Bear!" and clapping. Of course, if I'm hiking with a companion, we engage at normal volume, but more on the quiet side. The best part of the hiking experience in Yellowstone is to see animals. Bears aren't the only animal you're missing when you're out there shouting "Hey bear!" If you're that fearful of bears, stick to the road. My only questions is, how did Stand get within 25 yards of Momma without her detecting his scent? Bears are thought to have the best sense of smell of any animal on earth. For example, the average dog's sense of smell is 100 times better than a human's. A blood hound's is 300 times better. A bear's sense of smell is 7 times better than a blood hound's or 2,100 times better than a human's.
@@robertbailey3024 that is true about how well they smell. But it is not that simple. They are normally in the dirt smelling for a gofer, roots, bulbs…concentrating on the task at hand. They look up and smell the breeze about every 4 to five minutes. That was plenty of time for me to move over the hill from the other side (moving away from the other grizzly) and close to her by accident. I have had this very thing happen on multiple occasions; while moving away from one grizzly, running into another. The scariest thing about a close encounter like this would have been if one of the Cubs looked up and squealed. You can only imagine what the mothers reaction might be.
So much Wildlife out there!
Yep, 25 yards from Grizzly mother with cubs is a lucky day. Did you buy a lotto ticket on the way home? Or, go straight home to change your underwear?
That was awesome footage. I heard sandhill cranes at the end. Are they summer residents or starting migration south?
Incredible stuff
As much as I enjoy your vides and like the landscape I don't think I would hike there. Not in the park anyway. Thank you for the video! And that's just me.
Some people get their adrenaline fix through sky diving, racing, etc. Stan gets his by living through situations like this. Hope you dont run out of luck bud
You are not an expert, is it your life more important than making a video 😬
Did I ever say I was an expert? I will never be an expert. I learn more every day I am out there. But you should take a look at my channel if you get the time. Thanks for your comments.
He is a hell more of an expert than you are.
I will never be this guy. The moment I see a grizzly walking towards me I will go in hyper panic mode.
i be carrying a firearm hiking around there as much as you seem to do......only takes one time to be in wrong spot with no options......we are not top of food chain out there and jeez if one crept up at least you could fire warning shot.......as much as you look for them i would think you gonna find yourself in hairy situation sooner or later
Kirk, you are the top of the food chain. That is why grizzlies do all that they can to avoid humans. I find myself in a lot of close encounters only because I do a lot of hiking in God's beautiful creation. Thank you for your comments.
@@StanMills Read up on the Night of the Grizzlies. We are not on top of the food chain when in grizzly country.
@@StanMills says the man who was trying to get the hell outta there as fast and quietly as he could......you are a joke to a grizzly unarmed....if one decides you aren't welcome you are done and the bear will also be killed by fish and game for ignorance of a human.....your banking on a false misconception and not reality....you stumble on some cubs or their kill by accident and they are close they won't fear you in least bit.....you are a threat or competition......problem is the bear will be put down because of a human mis calculation and they did nothing to deserve it
Your banking on a false misconception and hope the day never comes when reality hits.........I myself respect them and know my place on the ladder....in the wild weaponless against nature.....we are pathetic in every aspect against a grizzly, even with a firearm.....
Hope that day never comes, and bears shouldn't be punished for human negligence
They do what they do and it's their home
@@catherinelw9365 Then you are not.
Thanks for another amazing video. Glad God protected you on your hike. 👍🙏
I enjoy your videos very much, thank you
When you’re hiking don’t usually make noise and talk for they know you’re there and they’ll move out of the way rather than sneaking up on them
Beautiful, beautiful country!
I enjoyed Nevada as well. Thank you
Stan, i don't know how you don't have way more followers then you do. Your content is always top notch and very respectful of nature.
love how she does that perimeter scan, seemingly very methodical...
Great video, Stan. May I ask which trail you were hiking?
Hey Stan, great work as usual. Wondering how you like the cannon sx70? I'm considering buying one. I live in Ohio and am coming out for a month in Aug,Sept starting down in the winds and heading north into Yellowstone. Would you recommend that camera?
It works for my needs. Large zoom, small, light weight. Quality is good enough for TH-cam (4K) but it is not a professional quality kind of camera.
Could use some spelling lessons in the introductory graphics. Too close and not to close.
The camera doesn't do justice to the size of how big they really are.
To Stan Mill's: Your Episodes are Amazing and so marvelous too See.
Mind You, I have my doubts that You should be Hiking alone. Cuz as they Tell us, & Say it isn't a Good Practice to get into. Especially when it comes to being in Bear 🐻 Country like You are. But by your Stories, & Frequent Experience's Your Luck has held Out, & that is just remarkable. Now in the Previous Episode, the Choice's You made really seemed too fit the Situation's Well? And we're the Correct Action's, & Tactic's to Employ at both Occasions. So in Saying Adieu, Mr Mills it's also Thank You so much for Sharing Your Treks & Such along With Your Marvelous Knowledge of Yellowstone's, Large Predator Inhabitants, such as it's Grizzlies. Thank You Again
Have you ever stopped to think and realize that the people that “Tell us, & Say…”, are people that have never done it and have zero experience solo hiking in grizzly country. They are always the people that want to hand out advice. I have been solo hiking in grizzly country for a long time and actually have experienced all kinds of situations with grizzlies. I also have log books and videos to show what it is really like; not made up or repeating something that someone else has said. But i remind you “This is the way I do it. You should do what feels best for you.” Thank you for your comment.
The correct spell of the title is “Way too close…”
Yez! Thanq yu spellin pollice!
Awesome footage!
Sweet monocular! I’ve always wanted one of those
What is the point of putting yourself in that much danger?
Have you ever seen a mountain lion in the park?
I don't think that guy should be out there by himself.
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
Amazing place to walk but without the bears
Damn Stan.. sheeeesh. No Thank u.
U stay safe out there!!
Your looking to be Darwin Award Candidate!
How does this make you adjust your hiking awareness, bear spray placement/access, and any secondary backup protection outside of spray?
Also, have you ever had to use bear spray? If so, how close did the bear get and lessons learned. Thanks in advance.