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Bears emerging from dens across Yellowstone region

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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

Grizzly bears are emerging from hibernation in the greater Yellowstone area, so hikers, skiers and snowshoers should stay in groups of three of more, make noise on the trail, and carry bear spray. Bear spray is a good last line of defense, if kept handy and used according to directions, when a bear is approaching within 30 to 60 feet. The first confirmed report of grizzly bear activity in Yellowstone National Park was February 22. Wolf biologists observed a large grizzly bear in the Nez Perce drainage. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Wildlife, Yellowstone, black bears, grizzly bears, hibernation, safety

Report on fatal Yellowstone grizzly attack stresses importance of bear safety guidelines

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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

There's no guarantee of safety when hiking in grizzly country, but following a few basic safety guidelines can reduce the odds of having a bad encounter with a bear. Unfortunately, too many hikers either don't know those basics, or ignore the advice that experts offer. That's one of the key findings from a report released Thursday by a panel that investigated the death of Lance Crosby, who was killed in August by an adult female grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Wildlife, Yellowstone, fatality, grizzly bears, safety

2 grizzly bears killed in separate incidents near Yellowstone

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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

Two grizzly bears were killed by elk hunters acting in self defense last week in separate incidents near Yellowstone National Park. According to information released by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, both hunters were unharmed in the incidents. In each case, the hunters were able to return to their vehicles unharmed and report the incident. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, Wildlife, grizzly bears, hunting, safety

Grand Teton rangers aid hiker after fall

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Grand Teton National Park rangers aided an injured hiker in Avalanche Canyon Monday evening, and transported her from the area to a local medical facility. Millie Jimenez, 24-year old female from Moose, Wyo, was returning from a hike in Avalanche Canyon with a friend late Monday afternoon, October 12. Jimenez lost her footing as she descended a rock slab area. She tumbled approximately 25 feet, and then fell another 20 feet, landing on a steep and rocky slope. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Grand Teton, rescue, safety, short-haul

Yellowstone sees busiest year on record with 3.8 million visitors so far

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More people visited Yellowstone National Park last month than any other September on record, and the park has set a new annual visitation record, with nearly three months still remaining before the end of the year. More than 3.8 million people have visited Yellowstone through the end of September, according to figures compiled by the National Park Service. That shatters the previous annual record of 3.6 million visitors in 2010. And if October follows recent trends, Yellowstone could log more than 4 million visitors by the end of 2015. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, Yellowstone, safety, tourism, traffic, visitation

Grizzly involved in Idaho hunter attack likely defending cubs

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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

Idaho wildlife officials say their investigation into a recent grizzly bear attack on a hunter near Yellowstone National Park has determined the incident was likely the result of a surprise encounter in which a mother bear was defending her three cubs. A 55-year-old man from Idaho Falls was treated and released Monday after a grizzly bear bit his left hand. The man had been bowhunting for elk in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in the vicinity of Yale Creek, about 15 miles west of Yellowstone. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, Wildlife, grizzly bears, hunting, injury, island park, safety

Yellowstone stresses wildlife safety during fall

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Yellowstone National Park officials are reminding visitors to keep their distance from elk and other wildlife as fall approaches.

Following a summer that brought at lest five visitor injuries resulting from getting too close to bison, as well as the death of a hiker from an encounter with a mother grizzly and cubs, officials in Yellowstone National Park are stressing safety around wildlife as the fall season approaches. As summer winds down and cooler temperatures start to spread across the high country of Yellowstone, some wildlife in the park begin migrating, while others stock up on extra food to pack on the pounds before winter. Elk begin their fall rut, and will soon be vying for the attention of the females by bugling and sparing with other males. In many areas of the park, but especially around Mammoth Hot Springs, the bull elk become more aggressive toward both people and vehicles, and can be a threat to both people and property, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. Elk damage several vehicles every year, and on occasion charge and injure visitors. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Wildlife, Yellowstone, autumn, bison, black bears, elk, fall, grizzly bears

Rangers caution Grand Teton boaters about Snake River dangers

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After a recent spate of incidents on a stretch of the Snake River between Deadman’s Bar and Moose Landing, Grand Teton National Park Rangers are cautioning boaters to choose segments of river that are appropriate for their experience and ability level. Rangers have conducted rescues on the Snake River near the Bar BC Ranch for at least five separate parties since August 1, 2015. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Grand Teton, floating, rafting, safety, snake river, whitewater

Rangers trap grizzly after fatal bear attack

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Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have trapped a grizzly bear in the same area where a hiker was found dead last week after being attacked by a bear. Officials are conducting DNA tests to determine if the trapped bear is responsible for killing the hiker, and say they plan to euthanize any bear connected to the attack. Lance Crosby, 63, from Billings, Montana, was found dead at around noon on Friday, less than a mile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail in a popular off-trail area near Yellowstone's Lake Village. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, bear management, fatality, grizzly bears, lance crosby, safety

Hiker found dead in Yellowstone was attacked by grizzly

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Investigators have concluded that a hiker found dead on Friday in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by a grizzly bear, and park officials are working to trap and kill any bear determined to be involved in the incident. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined, but a preliminary investigation found what appear to be defensive wounds on the victim’s forearms. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, fatality, grizzly bears, safety