Hey guys a few weeks ago you mentioned that the type of binoculars you use would be in the description. I looked at several videos and I can't find that link. Would you be so kind to share that with me here? Just looking to get an idea of what others use. We live in New York and we're heading out West may 1st for 78 days. Thank you guys.
Just returned from Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Saw 4 of big 5. Did not see a grizzly but a bunch of folks were spotting over a carcass in Lamar Valley. Saw a bull Moose at Gra Ventra campground. We did see a badger cross hwy but not in Park. Heading back in few months!
Going for the first time after hubby retires in 15 days! Got our senior lifetime pass! Staying in the area for 2 weeks. Thanks for all the awesome tips! Much appreciated 👍🏻
We were very fortunate to see a wolf feeding on an elk carcass about 100 yards off the road in the Lamar Valley. When the wolf was done and trotted off, a flock of ravens took their turn, followed by a Bald Eagle. A ranger was nearby and commented that she had never seen that mix of wildlife feeding on the same carcass in a short period of time. Have seen elk, both black and brown bears, wolf, and bison, but no moose. Great video.
Great video as always. I can say that the only place I have seen wolves in Yellowstone was the Lamar valley, and it was through binoculars. Two wolves were tormenting a bull bison, and I thought they were dumb to think they had a chance against him until I mentioned that to a nearby photographer who told me the rest of the pack was probably nearby and could take that bull down. Only place I have seen moose was in Grand Teton. A ranger told me they are in the north of Yellowstone all winter, but migrate south to Teton during summer and fall. And i saw mountain goats in the northeast section of the park. I know they aren't native, but still very cool to see them running around what looks like a sheer cliff face.
We saw a bunch of bald eagles along with some osprey and some type of hawk fishing in the mouth of the Yellowstone River where it empties into Yellowstone Lake, a short distance from the fishing bridge =)
Great summary of where to spot wildlife in Yellowstone. I’ve never been there but the main draw for me would be all the geysers and hot pools and natural phenomena like that. I’m looking forward to visiting Yellowstone one day in the not too distant future. Although it’s always thrilling to see wildlife, I’ve become quite spoiled where I live. My home is 1 block away from the base of Mt Revelstoke (British Columbia)and Mt Revelstoke national park. Many other national parks are within a 2-4 hour drive from my home. I’ve seen black bears in abundance in my neighbourhood, front yard & fenced backyard - we have a very active Bear Aware community education service to try to avoid human/bear conflict and to minimize bear attractants such as garbage and fruit trees. I’ve had moose trot down my street on a quiet Sunday morning and I’ve also had a moose temporarily trap himself in my backyard - yes, I have photos. I’ve been fortunate to see quite a few grizzly bears on my way to and even in my campsite including a glorious silver tip grizzly - stunning. I’ve had wolves circle around our campsite and saw a big black wolf on the beach I was just about to pull my kayak up to - needless to say I paddled away and watched mesmerized for about an hour. I’ve even had the very scary experience of being out in my carport late at night and hearing a huge thud, turned around to see a cougar readying itself to jump my backyard gate - unnerving because it definitely knew I was there long before I knew it was there but thankfully decided not to engage with me as I slowly backed into my basement. A 15 minute drive west of town frequently provides big horn sheep sittings above the railroad tracks and 2 1/2 hours east in Golden BC you’ll frequently come across big horn sheep laying on the side of the highway, laying on the highway, wandering through town and backyards - very cool. So if you’re having trouble getting reservations in Yellowstone, maybe give some of the Canadian national parks just across the Montana & Idaho border a try. We don’t have all the amazing geological aspects of Yellowstone but we certainly have an abundance of wildlife and you’ll definitely see bison in Alberta and the 2 other prairie provinces. As always Sean I find your sense of humour delightful and I’m always happy to watch the Long Long Honeymoon videos. Thanks for creating such great content.
We spent the Winter this year, (still here) in Cooke City. We have our neighborhood Bubbles the Bison who in fact tripped over my water line last fall. Fox, Bear, Grizzlies, all come in town. The best time to see ALL the Wildlife is NE Entrance in late Fall. October-November where you can almost guarantee a Moose sighting on our secret trail very close to Cooke. If you come by this Summer please stop in at the Yellowstone Trading Post. My wife is the GM there. We’ll buy ya a pizza at Miners and show ya where all the Moose hangout. -Scott & Ariane
We're going on our first trip to YSNP this summer. Our first night at Gros Ventre is Aug 16, for 4 nights then 12 more nights in the park. Thank y'all so much for these video's. And, a close second, Sean, your humor is just getting better and better. Every time you put in a picture of that vicious "Baby girl" I almost lose it!!!!
Thought we had this conversation before. No more videos without Kristy. When people ask "where's your better half", they really mean it!!! 🤣 JK. Great video. Really making me miss my Glacier Nat'l Park trip back in Oct 2021. Never been to Yellowstone, so that's on the bucket list.
Sabrina had a giant Bison stealthily sneak up behind her in a PARKING LOT in Hayden Valley before a hike. Good thing it was very busy making its way to the trees. For being such giant animals they seem to be everywhere. We found Bison “patties” on top of cliffs, next to thermal pools and very narrow paths. We had a running joke that anywhere ridiculously hard to get to on a hike, Bison were already there. We were definitely going to see Bison standing in an eagles nest with the binoculars. Great video as always!
Ha! Quite true. I remember working at Canyon and occasionally finding bison sleeping or walking right outside our dorm. One of these days, one will probably wander inside into the lobby. 😂
The Slough Creek area is where we have seen black bears. We were lucky enough to have a pack of wolves cross the river in the Lamar Valley right in front of us (within 10 ft). The entire pack crossed the road and climbed up a ridge to where the coyotes were hanging out. But we have only viewed one moose in the park and it was a youngster. Another rare sighting years back was a wolverine in the Lamar Valley area….plus that’s where we usually find grizzly bears. We pack a great spotting scope and numerous binoculars for trips into Yellowstone.
Sean, your humor just slays me. I like Beaver too! I have seen a few dams they have built here in the beautiful Pacific NW. I pray my wife and I get to run into you and Christy on the road to anywhere!!!
We also saw mountain goats high up on the Absoroka Range area. It was the first and only time we've ever seen them. We look forward to going back in the next few years. Lamar Valley is our favorite!
The best place to see ALL 5 animals is in Lamar Valley, in the Northeast part of Yellowstone. Optimum times are Spring and Fall, early in the morning or an hour or so before dusk.
We went to Yellowstone for the first time for nine nights last August/September, with another three nights in the Tetons. Wonderful, magical bucket list trip celebrating my retirement. We saw bison around the geyser basins, Lake, and especially Lamar Valley. We saw elk at the Lake and especially at Mammoth Hot Springs. We saw a mother grizzly and her cub in an area just east of the Lake on the road that goes out to Cody, There were a lot of downed trees there and apparently that is her territory and she is often seen in that area. We saw black wolves, a coyote, and a bald eagle in the Lamar Valley. Down in the Tetons we saw a black bear and a mother moose and her calf along the Moose Wilson Road. We saw pronghorn and bison in the Tetons in the Antelope Flats area. Incidentally, if you come in your car from the east, you might want to stop off at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, as that is also a great place to see wildlife, including mustangs and bison - and no crowds there. The crowds in Yellowstone seemed to be centered around the geyser basins and Canyon, and in the Tetons Jenny Lake. Give yourself extra time for those areas, as just parking can be tough. But if you get out in the Lamar Valley or other areas of the parks you should be ok. The one day we felt overwhelmed by the crowds was Labor Day, to the point where we actually left the park for a few hours to visit the national forest in Idaho, where we saw Big Spring and Upper Mesa Falls. Nice side trip if you start feeling overwhelmed.
Yes elk are only easily visible in the national parks and other places where they are not hunted at some point during the year. In the national forests (where there is a hunting season on elk) they are only occasionally seen.
I’ve been to Yellowstone probably about 8 times, counting when I was a kid. We went both in 2020 and 2021 with our new 26’ travel trailer. Before that it was with our little pop-up trailer or staying in inns. We are skipping this year, sigh, to tow our trailer the opposite direction of Loloho, to Florida. As far as wildlife there is not much to add to what y’all put in your video. We have had luck with all the wildlife in mostly the same places you mention. We have seen small herds of bison in the Madison Valley between Madison campground and West Yellowstone. Side story, we stayed in Madison campground the first weekend in October once in our pop-up. This was a bare bones kind of rig. Basically just shelter, beds, and tables. No furnace. It got down to 10 degrees, forming a layer of ice inside the walls. My wife made me go get a room for the next night. We also saw a black bear along the Madison river. We saw a grizzly bear on the wide open valley south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Last summer a lone black wolf in Lamar valley was pretty cool. Another black bear in Hayden Valley last summer. A bear out towards east entrance, coming down the west side of Sylvan Pass. We haven’t seen bison swim the river, but in 2020 we saw some elk swim the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley. Right on the edge of Hayden Valley, bison seem to like to be around Mud Volcano. The last two summers at the actual Mud Volcano feature there have been one or two bison right up next to and below the boardwalk. Our coolest wildlife encounter at Yellowstone was about fifteen years ago in early October (a great time to go right before parts of the park begin to close for winter), right at the turn for West Thumb geothermal area, there were several inches of snow, we saw a red fox. We got to stay and watch it hunt, cocking its head, then jumping up high in the air, arching its back, and diving into the snow and coming up with a mouse in its mouth, then eating it. Very very cool to see!
Thanks for the tip about Grovant! I've spent months of my life in moose country but have yet to see one. Hopefully next time I'm in the Tetons/Yellowstone area I'll break my streak!
We saw a mother moose and her calf two days in a row at a pond along the Moose Wilson road in the Tetons as last September. Along with a chonky black bear gorging on berries beside the road.
We were in YSNP in 2020 and saw 2 grizzly bears, 1 moose, some dear, lots of Bison and Antelope. We did not stay in the park for camping but outside of the west end. Loved it! We did see long horn sheep (I think that's what they were) in the badlands of SD.
Thanks for all your videos. Leaving Michigan in 2 weeks for Mt Rushmore, Bad Lands, Grand Teton for 5 nights at Flagg Ranch, then up to W. Yellowstone for 4 nights. Returning thru Montana, N.Dakota, Duluth and 5 night in Upper Michigan at 3 State Parks. Michigan DNR is super.
When we went last in May 2018 here is where we saw animals: Bison and baby bison everywhere 2 Black bears on the way to lamar valley (one was cinnamon) Wolves with telescope in Lamar Valley Badger den Elk herd next to the road Pronghorn in Lamar Valley Bald Eagle close to west yellowstone entrance Bighorn sheep just off the road on way to lamar valley
We've spotted a lot of mouse in Grand Teton. Moose also. :-) Yes, I think these days you are most likely to see moose in the perimeters of the Park. I was proud to show my old photo of the moose near Lake Yellowstone, because that is truly a rare sight!
@@LongLongHoneymoon Yeah, Teton definitely has an edge over Yellowstone when it comes to moose. It's not unusual for us to spot moose right by the roadside:-)
My family visited Yellowstone in 2000 and as we were leaving the park, we were talking about all the animals we had seen, and my oldest daughter said "we didn't see a moose". Not two minutes later, I spotted one in a creek eating vegetation. I was able to pull over and get a photograph of the very big male moose. This was second trip through Yellowstone for my wife and I. The first was in 1976 during the bi-centennial. THAT was the year to travel America. Every town was giving away free coffee and my wife and I met so many friendly people. We camped at the Fishing Bridge campground and at that time we had what would be called a Class B today. It was a 1972 Camp-co camper. I had it for twenty years and then gave it to my younger brother and he had it another 10 years.
The best part about Yellowstone National Park is that it is a tourist magnet. Most animals steer clear of humans, and the best animal viewing is to be had anywhere outside the park, or remote inside the park where there are fewer people. Try the edges of the park just outside the boundaries for moose and other more rarely spotted animals. Early in the morning, or just before sunset. Local native…
Thank you for thus video! It was great learning all about the wild life there in Yellowstone. I know we have coyotes here and big horn sheep. Coyotes have killed digs here. Just saw Big Horn sheep a few months ago. They were near people at a park but nobody disturbed them and they didn’t attack anyone. But this was good to know if wild life. Thdnk you! Right now the park is closed because of the roads with the weather that got washed away. But they say it’s going to open on Wednesday. But it will be different with them going by license plates and odd and even numbers. We will see how it goes. Hope you have a great weekend and travel safe. See you soon!
First time we went to YNP, we did not see any moose but saw them down by the Tetons. Last year, we went during the winter and saw TWO moose (different days) driving to Lamar Valley. To those going through Lamar, keep your eyes on the marsh areas and water. Haven’t seen a grizzly or wolf yet but agree that they are up north. Lots of Elk at Mammoth and loads of bison, sheep and coyotes in Lamar Valley. YNP is the best! And thank you for your videos, you’re the reason we went to YNP and it is my favorite National Park! :)
Another fun video Shawn. As for wildlife, it seems to just appear. Saw an elk, while my wife was doing laundry in the Grant CG, while I was checking air pressures on our RV. As you, we always keep a camera ready.
Been going for 50 years, only moose is down towards the Teton towards Jackson area. Bear, Lamar Valley. Summer 2021 no bison on the entire west area... no huge herds at all, medium herds above Canyon. Most of that road was closed, however! This summer we'll in Fishing Bridge for a week.. we'll see!!
Before 95, we would almost always see moose in the willow flats area between Mammoth and Norris. Been a while since we have seen them in the park (between Dunraven and Tower), have seen them on the east entrance road outside the park by Pahaska Tepee. If you want to see moose in Wyoming best spots are Grand Teton, Pinedale Area, Big Horn Mountains, and the Snowies.
My favorite animal in this video is the micro-wolf, dressed as an elf❤️ I thought for sure you were going to say you bugled like a male elk when you’re in the bathroom😂. Great video, as always ❤️
Five visits in five years (either July or Sept) from 2017 to 2021. Hoping to return this summer, with otter or a ( very distant) mountain lion now atop my to-see list. Had very unique observation of my first badger attempting to make a new burrow in some fresh turf at Mammoth Village in Sept. 21.
Another great video as usual Sean. We are doing a week in the Yellowstone/ Gros Ventre area in September. Your guidance will be a great help to make the most of our time.
Sean, I was waffling weather or not to journey from N. Calif to Gros Ventre and Canyon campgrounds the week (after) Labor Day due to fuel concerns, Your recommendation to move forward with reservations convinced my family to pull the trigger. You and Mrs. are the unofficial spokespersons for Grand Teton/Yellowstone. Question: Should we bring snow jackets…along with bear spray?
I would definitely bring a warm jacket. Temps commonly drop into the 30s at night in September, and we've experienced snow during that time of year too!
They do still allow snowmobiles in the park during winter, but I think you have to be part of a guided tour. I would check with the park service for the specifics!
We've been watching your videos since 2019 when we bought our 22' Sport Bambi. Last summer we visited Yellowstone and what we recall is one of your favorite places, Cooke City. Heading to Glacier this summer with our, new to us, 23' International Serenity. Do you have an episode covering that area? Joe & Marianne, Georgia
I have been into Yellowstone, who knows how many times... No, I have never seen a Wolverine. But, I have seen everything else. One of my favorites was a few years ago in maybe early/mid May. My son was with me and we were heading to Lamar Valley, well there was this fairly large gathering of folks in a pull out with some unbelievable cameras and telephoto lens, so I pulled over. This one guy there let us look through his set up to see a wolf's den and we could see wolf pups. What luck to be about to see that.
we saw many animals on our several trips to Yellowstone. Went in May, got up very early in the morning to go on "animal drives".. have not seen a wolf or a bear however. We did see a coyote try to kill an elk calf and in fact, had it down, but the mother came and chased it away. I set up my camera quite a distance from Pronghorn and two of them walked right up to me. Was also standing on a trail again with my camera when a buffalo came out of the bushes and walked very close by me. I turned my back and listened to him snort as he passed by me. We also had buffalo lope past our car as we were on the road to Cody.
loved the video! cuz i'm a Yellowstone junkie and especially fascinated by all the great wildlife there. a note about the wolves - odds of seeing one in high summer are pretty low. they thrive in the cold weather. i had some really great wolf watching in early May (way back in 2008)....and that was in Lamar Valley. no love for the marmots?
The only grizzly I saw when I was there was just the back end of one early in the morning not too far from the lake. Talk about a huge animal! I've still yet to seen a moose. Even when I went to Maine. One day..
Will watch them on Television this year. Will be avoiding the tourists areas this year. Sticking to less visited parks and closer to home with fuel prices being so high.
All of my bear sightings, black and grizz, have been in the northern half of the park. I finally got to see a wolf last year in Hayden Valley at close range and I was so thrilled. I see elk everywhere there and last fall I shot a video of a bull elk sharpening his horny antlers against a group of trees by the Madison River. Best Bison sightings have been in the middle of the road. Great video as usual. Thanks for removing it from private so we could view it 😃
Thanks Larry, we had a technical issue last night and had to make the video private to fix it. Appreciate your input here! Yes, we always seem to end up seeing bear in that northern portion of the Park...
That was in the early October time frame. But snow can happen pretty much any month in Yellowstone! It's unlikely in July and August, but I've heard of it happening...
The question we had from our first trip is whether bear spray would deter a bison. We were hiking on a trail with tight bushes on each side and found bison fur on the ground. It made us wonder if our bear spray would have been effective if needed.
I live near a provincial park (& it’s within a city!) and coyotes are often seen trotting through the neighbourhood. So much so there’s signs warning about them. I saw one down in the park chasing a deer then another coyote came up after the first just trotting like he’s letting the first one do all the work & he’ll show up in time to eat. I also saw one that looked so well fed that I thought it was a small wolf. I took a photo of it but didn’t bother asking the critter his species. When we lived on an acreage we saw a few different types, a bull & cow moose came & munched on leftover crabapples, found a porcupine in the same tree (dog found two on the ground brought back souvenirs. That same dog was barking at a coyote at the foot of our driveway & refused to come when I called her so I stomped down to get her. I had a Disney moment when the coyote looked at me as if saying “shut her up!” I grabbed the dog & the coyote trotted away. I was about 2’ from the coyote’s nose. And that is as close as I ever want to come to a wild animal. We drive through the Rocky Mountains often & one time a black bear was in the ditch minding its own business & some illiterate woman was placing her kid on the side of the highway so she could get a photo of the kid & bear. The bear didn’t care & lumbered away. I say illiterate because in ALL the literature visitors get when going through the national park gates it says to stay in your vehicle!
Very informative video! We will safely stalk these areas the next time we visit Yellowstone. By the way, we purchased our Bear Spray it was a 5 star review on Amazon, on the back of the can it says 99% effective so right away we wondered what review the 1% had. :-) Thanks for the great videos.
Hi guys. Watch you guys all the time. I've got a question. Loved your video on Grand Tetons and Glacier. That's our goal for this fall. We booked some sites at Gros Ventre Campground and now having second thoughts. We're running a 23 foot trailer and wondering if there will be any trouble getting in the sites or driving around the campground? Thanks for your help Mark
Hi Mark, our trailer is 25-feet long (25' 9" to be exact) and there are plenty of sites at Gros Ventre that will accommodate us. Of course some are more accommodating than others (and some would not work at all). I'm sure that the campground staff will get you into an appropriate site. I'll ask Kristy if she has any insights but I think you'll be fine. --Sean
Last trip i took in 2012 i did not see any bear in Yellowsttone...than went up to Glacier and they were everywhere..very unsettling when you are tent camping. 😏 i fear death by bear after watching a 1970s Jaws ripoff called Grizzley. Saw alot of moose in Glacier as well.
I can say, from my experience, my animal viewing success has been more "when" as opposed to "where". I've seen many more animals and a wider variety of animal earlier in the year - late spring (June) - than I have later in the summer (July and August).
Seriously, one correction: Yellowstone is a zoo, with well over 4.5 million visitors, mostly in the 3 months of summer, the place has become unmanageable.
Actually, the grizzly bear( Ursula Horribilis) is subspecies of the brown bear just like the Kodak brown bear in Alaska. I know you guys love visiting ( yup I’m from Northwest Wyoming) this area. Perhaps you can drive home the point that you should never approach wildlife both for your own protection and the the animals. Bear and Bison“ Jams” have become a large problem. Emphasize not stopping in the middle of the road. When a grizzly is spotted and because of social media there will be instantly a couple of hundred so-called wildlife photographers harassing the poor animals. We’ve had cubs be separated from their mothers because of these crowds. Remember- don’t hike alone and always have bear spray accessible and know how to use it. Actually back in the’80’s a French guy was gored to death. Imagine a bison is a matadors angry bull times two.
Nobody in Yellowstone talks about a "Big Five". Lamar Valley has a larger heard of Bison than the Hayden Valley and doesn't have rolling hills which can hide the bison. Wolves are definitely a bigger attraction than the bears for quite some time now. Folks, you can do better.
Many years ago when our daughter was much younger than her progeny, we were walking the boardwalk near Ol' Faithful when I noticed she was getting ready to vacate said boardwalk in order to pet a badger. "It's so cute!"
Hey guys a few weeks ago you mentioned that the type of binoculars you use would be in the description. I looked at several videos and I can't find that link. Would you be so kind to share that with me here? Just looking to get an idea of what others use. We live in New York and we're heading out West may 1st for 78 days. Thank you guys.
Hey Bubba, we use Nikon Monarch. They are great quality. We've had ours for almost a decade. amzn.to/34IMLPA
@@LongLongHoneymoon Thank you so much.
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@@LongLongHoneymoon I bought the exact ones you suggested. We love them, thank you for the suggestion.
Just returned from Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Saw 4 of big 5. Did not see a grizzly but a bunch of folks were spotting over a carcass in Lamar Valley. Saw a bull Moose at Gra Ventra campground. We did see a badger cross hwy but not in Park. Heading back in few months!
Vortex are excellent Binos and they won't break the bank.
Great information, love your sense of humor.
“I use to make that sound a lot in my 20’s” lmao, that was awesome!!!!
Going for the first time after hubby retires in 15 days! Got our senior lifetime pass! Staying in the area for 2 weeks. Thanks for all the awesome tips! Much appreciated 👍🏻
Just had a half-day when we went a couple of years ago, hoping to go back to explore the full park.
Risque, yet entertaining and informative! Going to Yellowstone in May for the first time, this was helpful.
Moose are very likely observed in the Spring near Cooke City and Silver Gate, just outside the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone.
We were very fortunate to see a wolf feeding on an elk carcass about 100 yards off the road in the Lamar Valley. When the wolf was done and trotted off, a flock of ravens took their turn, followed by a Bald Eagle. A ranger was nearby and commented that she had never seen that mix of wildlife feeding on the same carcass in a short period of time. Have seen elk, both black and brown bears, wolf, and bison, but no moose. Great video.
Great video as always. I can say that the only place I have seen wolves in Yellowstone was the Lamar valley, and it was through binoculars. Two wolves were tormenting a bull bison, and I thought they were dumb to think they had a chance against him until I mentioned that to a nearby photographer who told me the rest of the pack was probably nearby and could take that bull down. Only place I have seen moose was in Grand Teton. A ranger told me they are in the north of Yellowstone all winter, but migrate south to Teton during summer and fall. And i saw mountain goats in the northeast section of the park. I know they aren't native, but still very cool to see them running around what looks like a sheer cliff face.
Great video of the park and we're to find animals. There is nothing like seeing these animals in their natural habitats.
We saw a bunch of bald eagles along with some osprey and some type of hawk fishing in the mouth of the Yellowstone River where it empties into Yellowstone Lake, a short distance from the fishing bridge =)
Great job on video. Appreciated the humor!!!
We hope to get back there within the next couple years.
Great summary of where to spot wildlife in Yellowstone. I’ve never been there but the main draw for me would be all the geysers and hot pools and natural phenomena like that. I’m looking forward to visiting Yellowstone one day in the not too distant future. Although it’s always thrilling to see wildlife, I’ve become quite spoiled where I live. My home is 1 block away from the base of Mt Revelstoke (British Columbia)and Mt Revelstoke national park. Many other national parks are within a 2-4 hour drive from my home. I’ve seen black bears in abundance in my neighbourhood, front yard & fenced backyard - we have a very active Bear Aware community education service to try to avoid human/bear conflict and to minimize bear attractants such as garbage and fruit trees. I’ve had moose trot down my street on a quiet Sunday morning and I’ve also had a moose temporarily trap himself in my backyard - yes, I have photos. I’ve been fortunate to see quite a few grizzly bears on my way to and even in my campsite including a glorious silver tip grizzly - stunning. I’ve had wolves circle around our campsite and saw a big black wolf on the beach I was just about to pull my kayak up to - needless to say I paddled away and watched mesmerized for about an hour. I’ve even had the very scary experience of being out in my carport late at night and hearing a huge thud, turned around to see a cougar readying itself to jump my backyard gate - unnerving because it definitely knew I was there long before I knew it was there but thankfully decided not to engage with me as I slowly backed into my basement. A 15 minute drive west of town frequently provides big horn sheep sittings above the railroad tracks and 2 1/2 hours east in Golden BC you’ll frequently come across big horn sheep laying on the side of the highway, laying on the highway, wandering through town and backyards - very cool. So if you’re having trouble getting reservations in Yellowstone, maybe give some of the Canadian national parks just across the Montana & Idaho border a try. We don’t have all the amazing geological aspects of Yellowstone but we certainly have an abundance of wildlife and you’ll definitely see bison in Alberta and the 2 other prairie provinces.
As always Sean I find your sense of humour delightful and I’m always happy to watch the Long Long Honeymoon videos. Thanks for creating such great content.
Love Owls 🦉
Yes it was a rare thrill to see one!
We spent the Winter this year, (still here) in Cooke City. We have our neighborhood Bubbles the Bison who in fact tripped over my water line last fall. Fox, Bear, Grizzlies, all come in town. The best time to see ALL the Wildlife is NE Entrance in late Fall. October-November where you can almost guarantee a Moose sighting on our secret trail very close to Cooke. If you come by this Summer please stop in at the Yellowstone Trading Post. My wife is the GM there. We’ll buy ya a pizza at Miners and show ya where all the Moose hangout. -Scott & Ariane
We're going on our first trip to YSNP this summer. Our first night at Gros Ventre is Aug 16, for 4 nights then 12 more nights in the park. Thank y'all so much for these video's. And, a close second, Sean, your humor is just getting better and better. Every time you put in a picture of that vicious "Baby girl" I almost lose it!!!!
Have fun! Maybe we will see you out there!
@@LongLongHoneymoon Ok, but only if you keep Baby girl on a tight leash!!! LOL!!!
Thought we had this conversation before. No more videos without Kristy. When people ask "where's your better half", they really mean it!!! 🤣 JK. Great video. Really making me miss my Glacier Nat'l Park trip back in Oct 2021. Never been to Yellowstone, so that's on the bucket list.
Sabrina had a giant Bison stealthily sneak up behind her in a PARKING LOT in Hayden Valley before a hike. Good thing it was very busy making its way to the trees.
For being such giant animals they seem to be everywhere. We found Bison “patties” on top of cliffs, next to thermal pools and very narrow paths.
We had a running joke that anywhere ridiculously hard to get to on a hike, Bison were already there.
We were definitely going to see Bison standing in an eagles nest with the binoculars.
Great video as always!
Ha! Quite true. I remember working at Canyon and occasionally finding bison sleeping or walking right outside our dorm. One of these days, one will probably wander inside into the lobby. 😂
The Slough Creek area is where we have seen black bears. We were lucky enough to have a pack of wolves cross the river in the Lamar Valley right in front of us (within 10 ft). The entire pack crossed the road and climbed up a ridge to where the coyotes were hanging out. But we have only viewed one moose in the park and it was a youngster. Another rare sighting years back was a wolverine in the Lamar Valley area….plus that’s where we usually find grizzly bears. We pack a great spotting scope and numerous binoculars for trips into Yellowstone.
Sean, your humor just slays me. I like Beaver too! I have seen a few dams they have built here in the beautiful Pacific NW.
I pray my wife and I get to run into you and Christy on the road to anywhere!!!
Going to yellowstone for the first time at the end of June. So excited. Tent camping though. Big Burritos !!
We also saw mountain goats high up on the Absoroka Range area. It was the first and only time we've ever seen them. We look forward to going back in the next few years. Lamar Valley is our favorite!
We’ve spent a week in Yellowstone and a week in Custer State Park, South Dakota. Saw way more animals in Custer
Went to the Grand Canyon once when offered, I am from Australia, and saw it with light snow. An image I will never forget.
The best place to see ALL 5 animals is in Lamar Valley, in the Northeast part of Yellowstone. Optimum times are Spring and Fall, early in the morning or an hour or so before dusk.
We went to Yellowstone for the first time for nine nights last August/September, with another three nights in the Tetons. Wonderful, magical bucket list trip celebrating my retirement. We saw bison around the geyser basins, Lake, and especially Lamar Valley. We saw elk at the Lake and especially at Mammoth Hot Springs. We saw a mother grizzly and her cub in an area just east of the Lake on the road that goes out to Cody, There were a lot of downed trees there and apparently that is her territory and she is often seen in that area. We saw black wolves, a coyote, and a bald eagle in the Lamar Valley. Down in the Tetons we saw a black bear and a mother moose and her calf along the Moose Wilson Road. We saw pronghorn and bison in the Tetons in the Antelope Flats area. Incidentally, if you come in your car from the east, you might want to stop off at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, as that is also a great place to see wildlife, including mustangs and bison - and no crowds there. The crowds in Yellowstone seemed to be centered around the geyser basins and Canyon, and in the Tetons Jenny Lake. Give yourself extra time for those areas, as just parking can be tough. But if you get out in the Lamar Valley or other areas of the parks you should be ok. The one day we felt overwhelmed by the crowds was Labor Day, to the point where we actually left the park for a few hours to visit the national forest in Idaho, where we saw Big Spring and Upper Mesa Falls. Nice side trip if you start feeling overwhelmed.
Yes elk are only easily visible in the national parks and other places where they are not hunted at some point during the year. In the national forests (where there is a hunting season on elk) they are only occasionally seen.
I am planning a trip to Yellowstone next year and I can hardly wait... Thanks!
I’ve been to Yellowstone probably about 8 times, counting when I was a kid. We went both in 2020 and 2021 with our new 26’ travel trailer. Before that it was with our little pop-up trailer or staying in inns. We are skipping this year, sigh, to tow our trailer the opposite direction of Loloho, to Florida.
As far as wildlife there is not much to add to what y’all put in your video. We have had luck with all the wildlife in mostly the same places you mention. We have seen small herds of bison in the Madison Valley between Madison campground and West Yellowstone. Side story, we stayed in Madison campground the first weekend in October once in our pop-up. This was a bare bones kind of rig. Basically just shelter, beds, and tables. No furnace. It got down to 10 degrees, forming a layer of ice inside the walls. My wife made me go get a room for the next night.
We also saw a black bear along the Madison river. We saw a grizzly bear on the wide open valley south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Last summer a lone black wolf in Lamar valley was pretty cool. Another black bear in Hayden Valley last summer. A bear out towards east entrance, coming down the west side of Sylvan Pass. We haven’t seen bison swim the river, but in 2020 we saw some elk swim the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley. Right on the edge of Hayden Valley, bison seem to like to be around Mud Volcano. The last two summers at the actual Mud Volcano feature there have been one or two bison right up next to and below the boardwalk.
Our coolest wildlife encounter at Yellowstone was about fifteen years ago in early October (a great time to go right before parts of the park begin to close for winter), right at the turn for West Thumb geothermal area, there were several inches of snow, we saw a red fox. We got to stay and watch it hunt, cocking its head, then jumping up high in the air, arching its back, and diving into the snow and coming up with a mouse in its mouth, then eating it. Very very cool to see!
Thanks for the tip about Grovant! I've spent months of my life in moose country but have yet to see one. Hopefully next time I'm in the Tetons/Yellowstone area I'll break my streak!
We saw a mother moose and her calf two days in a row at a pond along the Moose Wilson road in the Tetons as last September. Along with a chonky black bear gorging on berries beside the road.
We were in YSNP in 2020 and saw 2 grizzly bears, 1 moose, some dear, lots of Bison and Antelope. We did not stay in the park for camping but outside of the west end. Loved it! We did see long horn sheep (I think that's what they were) in the badlands of SD.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I appreciate your time in making this video.
Safe travels ❤️
Haha so many innuendos in this video!
Thanks for all your videos. Leaving Michigan in 2 weeks for Mt Rushmore, Bad Lands, Grand Teton for 5 nights at Flagg Ranch, then up to W. Yellowstone for 4 nights. Returning thru Montana, N.Dakota, Duluth and 5 night in Upper Michigan at 3 State Parks. Michigan DNR is super.
When we went last in May 2018 here is where we saw animals:
Bison and baby bison everywhere
2 Black bears on the way to lamar valley (one was cinnamon)
Wolves with telescope in Lamar Valley
Badger den
Elk herd next to the road
Pronghorn in Lamar Valley
Bald Eagle close to west yellowstone entrance
Bighorn sheep just off the road on way to lamar valley
It’s never too late when it comes to Yellowstone. You should definitely go, it is a unique and special place.
We've been having pretty good luck spotting mouse near the Northeast entrance these years. Last year alone, we saw moose twice within a week in May.
We've spotted a lot of mouse in Grand Teton. Moose also. :-) Yes, I think these days you are most likely to see moose in the perimeters of the Park. I was proud to show my old photo of the moose near Lake Yellowstone, because that is truly a rare sight!
@@LongLongHoneymoon Yeah, Teton definitely has an edge over Yellowstone when it comes to moose. It's not unusual for us to spot moose right by the roadside:-)
If we ever go back to Yellowstone, seeing a big horned sheep is on the agenda, along with making a few dry fly casts on the Yellowstone river.
Mountain Goats CAN be seen Daily at Barronette Peak in the Northeast, close the NE Entrance.
My family visited Yellowstone in 2000 and as we were leaving the park, we were talking about all the animals we had seen, and my oldest daughter said "we didn't see a moose". Not two minutes later, I spotted one in a creek eating vegetation. I was able to pull over and get a photograph of the very big male moose. This was second trip through Yellowstone for my wife and I. The first was in 1976 during the bi-centennial. THAT was the year to travel America. Every town was giving away free coffee and my wife and I met so many friendly people. We camped at the Fishing Bridge campground and at that time we had what would be called a Class B today. It was a 1972 Camp-co camper. I had it for twenty years and then gave it to my younger brother and he had it another 10 years.
Yellowstone animals are just different. It's awesome. I am trying to make Yellowstone a yearly trip in my life. It's my favorite park so far.
Hello there
Love the thought of a yearly trip. It has pretty much worked out that way for me (with a few exceptions over the past 30 years, of course).
Interesting and humorous 😊
Moose are seen daily in the Spring near The Northeast Entrance.
Awesome information on the wild life at Yellowstone. I hope to get there next year so this will be a big help. Thank you as always for your videos.
We have seen otters at the bottom of the Upper Falls.
The best part about Yellowstone National Park is that it is a tourist magnet. Most animals steer clear of humans, and the best animal viewing is to be had anywhere outside the park, or remote inside the park where there are fewer people. Try the edges of the park just outside the boundaries for moose and other more rarely spotted animals. Early in the morning, or just before sunset. Local native…
Thank you for thus video! It was great learning all about the wild life there in Yellowstone. I know we have coyotes here and big horn sheep. Coyotes have killed digs here. Just saw Big Horn sheep a few months ago. They were near people at a park but nobody disturbed them and they didn’t attack anyone. But this was good to know if wild life. Thdnk you! Right now the park is closed because of the roads with the weather that got washed away. But they say it’s going to open on Wednesday. But it will be different with them going by license plates and odd and even numbers. We will see how it goes. Hope you have a great weekend and travel safe. See you soon!
First time we went to YNP, we did not see any moose but saw them down by the Tetons. Last year, we went during the winter and saw TWO moose (different days) driving to Lamar Valley. To those going through Lamar, keep your eyes on the marsh areas and water. Haven’t seen a grizzly or wolf yet but agree that they are up north. Lots of Elk at Mammoth and loads of bison, sheep and coyotes in Lamar Valley. YNP is the best! And thank you for your videos, you’re the reason we went to YNP and it is my favorite National Park! :)
Beavers can be viewed between Norris to Mammoth drive.
Another fun video Shawn. As for wildlife, it seems to just appear. Saw an elk, while my wife was doing laundry in the Grant CG, while
I was checking air pressures on our RV. As you, we always keep a camera ready.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience once again, Sean. 🙂
I've seen moose almost every time I've gone to the park in May. They hang out near Pebble Creek very early in the morning, pre-dawn.
Been going for 50 years, only moose is down towards the Teton towards Jackson area. Bear, Lamar Valley. Summer 2021 no bison on the entire west area... no huge herds at all, medium herds above Canyon. Most of that road was closed, however! This summer we'll in Fishing Bridge for a week.. we'll see!!
Nice
Before 95, we would almost always see moose in the willow flats area between Mammoth and Norris. Been a while since we have seen them in the park (between Dunraven and Tower), have seen them on the east entrance road outside the park by Pahaska Tepee. If you want to see moose in Wyoming best spots are Grand Teton, Pinedale Area, Big Horn Mountains, and the Snowies.
Hi saw you were thinking of changing your hitch. Take a look at the Shocker.
We're going in late June for the first time. I can't wait. Great video. 👍
My favorite animal in this video is the micro-wolf, dressed as an elf❤️
I thought for sure you were going to say you bugled like a male elk when you’re in the bathroom😂. Great video, as always ❤️
Thanks for the extremely informative video. Making first and likely only travel trailer trip this summer and this really helps.
Glad it was helpful!
Five visits in five years (either July or Sept) from 2017 to 2021. Hoping to return this summer, with otter or a ( very distant) mountain lion now atop my to-see list. Had very unique observation of my first badger attempting to make a new burrow in some fresh turf at Mammoth Village in Sept. 21.
Love the video! Prong horns are not a deer:their closest relative is the goat! Stay safe.
Excellent Video and Excellent Information! Thank You.
Another great video as usual Sean. We are doing a week in the Yellowstone/ Gros Ventre area in September. Your guidance will be a great help to make the most of our time.
Los of great Yellowstone tips presented with a lot of humor!
Sean,
I was waffling weather or not to journey from N. Calif to Gros Ventre and Canyon campgrounds the week (after) Labor Day due to fuel concerns,
Your recommendation to move forward with reservations convinced my family to pull the trigger.
You and Mrs. are the unofficial spokespersons for Grand Teton/Yellowstone.
Question: Should we bring snow jackets…along with bear spray?
I would definitely bring a warm jacket. Temps commonly drop into the 30s at night in September, and we've experienced snow during that time of year too!
In 1977 I (Dave) took a day trip into Yellowstone on a snowmobile. Do they allow that anymore?
They do still allow snowmobiles in the park during winter, but I think you have to be part of a guided tour. I would check with the park service for the specifics!
Great video thanks for all the info I put it in my book for this September
We've been watching your videos since 2019 when we bought our 22' Sport Bambi. Last summer we visited Yellowstone and what we recall is one of your favorite places, Cooke City. Heading to Glacier this summer with our, new to us, 23' International Serenity. Do you have an episode covering that area? Joe & Marianne, Georgia
Found the Glacier video.
No place on the planet like Yellowstone!
This video was enjoyable to watch!
As per your last video, I will pass on Yellowstone this year. Many other places to see in the US
I have been into Yellowstone, who knows how many times... No, I have never seen a Wolverine. But, I have seen everything else. One of my favorites was a few years ago in maybe early/mid May. My son was with me and we were heading to Lamar Valley, well there was this fairly large gathering of folks in a pull out with some unbelievable cameras and telephoto lens, so I pulled over. This one guy there let us look through his set up to see a wolf's den and we could see wolf pups. What luck to be about to see that.
we saw many animals on our several trips to Yellowstone. Went in May, got up very early in the morning to go on "animal drives".. have not seen a wolf or a bear however. We did see a coyote try to kill an elk calf and in fact, had it down, but the mother came and chased it away. I set up my camera quite a distance from Pronghorn and two of them walked right up to me. Was also standing on a trail again with my camera when a buffalo came out of the bushes and walked very close by me. I turned my back and listened to him snort as he passed by me. We also had buffalo lope past our car as we were on the road to Cody.
Thank-you for this.
loved the video! cuz i'm a Yellowstone junkie and especially fascinated by all the great wildlife there. a note about the wolves - odds of seeing one in high summer are pretty low. they thrive in the cold weather. i had some really great wolf watching in early May (way back in 2008)....and that was in Lamar Valley.
no love for the marmots?
The only grizzly I saw when I was there was just the back end of one early in the morning not too far from the lake. Talk about a huge animal! I've still yet to seen a moose. Even when I went to Maine. One day..
Watch the batteries in your cameras. I stopped for one of the most amazing elk pictures I would have taken but my battery was dead.
Will watch them on Television this year. Will be avoiding the tourists areas this year. Sticking to less visited parks and closer to home with fuel prices being so high.
Close to Being FIRST!
Yours is indubitably one of the first comments I've seen!
Loved the video!
Pine Marten, Pica, and swans are some others we have seen. Really would love to see a wolverine from a distend.
All of my bear sightings, black and grizz, have been in the northern half of the park. I finally got to see a wolf last year in Hayden Valley at close range and I was so thrilled. I see elk everywhere there and last fall I shot a video of a bull elk sharpening his horny antlers against a group of trees by the Madison River. Best Bison sightings have been in the middle of the road. Great video as usual. Thanks for removing it from private so we could view it 😃
Thanks Larry, we had a technical issue last night and had to make the video private to fix it. Appreciate your input here! Yes, we always seem to end up seeing bear in that northern portion of the Park...
Thanks for all the great info. At the end of the video it is snowing, what time of the year was that? We are going to be there the 1st week in June.
That was in the early October time frame. But snow can happen pretty much any month in Yellowstone! It's unlikely in July and August, but I've heard of it happening...
The question we had from our first trip is whether bear spray would deter a bison. We were hiking on a trail with tight bushes on each side and found bison fur on the ground. It made us wonder if our bear spray would have been effective if needed.
That would be a good question for a ranger!
I live near a provincial park (& it’s within a city!) and coyotes are often seen trotting through the neighbourhood. So much so there’s signs warning about them. I saw one down in the park chasing a deer then another coyote came up after the first just trotting like he’s letting the first one do all the work & he’ll show up in time to eat. I also saw one that looked so well fed that I thought it was a small wolf. I took a photo of it but didn’t bother asking the critter his species.
When we lived on an acreage we saw a few different types, a bull & cow moose came & munched on leftover crabapples, found a porcupine in the same tree (dog found two on the ground brought back souvenirs. That same dog was barking at a coyote at the foot of our driveway & refused to come when I called her so I stomped down to get her. I had a Disney moment when the coyote looked at me as if saying “shut her up!” I grabbed the dog & the coyote trotted away. I was about 2’ from the coyote’s nose. And that is as close as I ever want to come to a wild animal.
We drive through the Rocky Mountains often & one time a black bear was in the ditch minding its own business & some illiterate woman was placing her kid on the side of the highway so she could get a photo of the kid & bear. The bear didn’t care & lumbered away. I say illiterate because in ALL the literature visitors get when going through the national park gates it says to stay in your vehicle!
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Very informative video! We will safely stalk these areas the next time we visit Yellowstone. By the way, we purchased our Bear Spray it was a 5 star review on Amazon, on the back of the can it says 99% effective so right away we wondered what review the 1% had. :-) Thanks for the great videos.
Awesomeness
Hi guys. Watch you guys all the time. I've got a question. Loved your video on Grand Tetons and Glacier. That's our goal for this fall. We booked some sites at Gros Ventre Campground and now having second thoughts. We're running a 23 foot trailer and wondering if there will be any trouble getting in the sites or driving around the campground? Thanks for your help Mark
Hi Mark, our trailer is 25-feet long (25' 9" to be exact) and there are plenty of sites at Gros Ventre that will accommodate us. Of course some are more accommodating than others (and some would not work at all). I'm sure that the campground staff will get you into an appropriate site. I'll ask Kristy if she has any insights but I think you'll be fine. --Sean
Last trip i took in 2012 i did not see any bear in Yellowsttone...than went up to Glacier and they were everywhere..very unsettling when you are tent camping. 😏 i fear death by bear after watching a 1970s Jaws ripoff called Grizzley. Saw alot of moose in
Glacier as well.
I can say, from my experience, my animal viewing success has been more "when" as opposed to "where". I've seen many more animals and a wider variety of animal earlier in the year - late spring (June) - than I have later in the summer (July and August).
If black bears were wearing capes when they were discovered, they would have been named super raccoons, so that's their loss. 😁
👍👍👍
Seriously, one correction: Yellowstone is a zoo, with well over 4.5 million visitors, mostly in the 3 months of summer, the place has become unmanageable.
I almost got a wolf last time I was in Yellowstone.
Actually, the grizzly bear( Ursula Horribilis) is subspecies of the brown bear just like the Kodak brown bear in Alaska. I know you guys love visiting ( yup I’m from Northwest Wyoming) this area. Perhaps you can drive home the point that you should never approach wildlife both for your own protection and the the animals. Bear and Bison“ Jams” have become a large problem. Emphasize not stopping in the middle of the road. When a grizzly is spotted and because of social media there will be instantly a couple of hundred so-called wildlife photographers harassing the poor animals. We’ve had cubs be separated from their mothers because of these crowds. Remember- don’t hike alone and always have bear spray accessible and know how to use it. Actually back in the’80’s a French guy was gored to death. Imagine a bison is a matadors angry bull times two.
Nobody in Yellowstone talks about a "Big Five". Lamar Valley has a larger heard of Bison than the Hayden Valley and doesn't have rolling hills which can hide the bison. Wolves are definitely a bigger attraction than the bears for quite some time now. Folks, you can do better.
If you want to see moose, come to Utah and go on a hike. I see moose on almost every hike as well as deer.
Moose in Utah? What part? Maybe in the north?
@@LongLongHoneymoon yes northern utah. They are always around all the ski areas
@bexxs2245 that makes sense! We have never seen moose in Utah, but I’m sure they like those ski areas 😍
17:15 lmao
You sir, are naughty. I can see why Kristy sat this one out. You gave her a head's up, didn't you?
Sorry! You should see the jokes that get edited out. Actually, you should NOT see those jokes. I will try to behave better in the future.
@@LongLongHoneymoon 🤣 It's okay. Boys will be boys.
Awesome share….get off the beaten path and find the wild thing!
Many years ago when our daughter was much younger than her progeny, we were walking the boardwalk near Ol' Faithful when I noticed she was getting ready to vacate said boardwalk in order to pet a badger. "It's so cute!"
LOL When I saw that badger my first reaction was to leap backwards 10-feet! 😂