Lots of Grizzly Bears on the Oil Well and Little Wapiti Loop Trail - Yellowstone Ecosystem
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- This is a hike in a very high density grizzly bear area. I show the hike on a map because all grizzly bear protections are safe again after the recent 9th Circuit Court ruled that grizzly bears cannot be trophy hunted. So this video shows a typical hike in this area. I love hiking and camping around here because of all the wonderful wildlife. The Taylor Fork is a very popular camping area but 99.999 percent of those people stay down in their designated camping area. The only people you will ever see in the backcountry are on a motorcycle or four wheeler. Most of the animals are well into the trees by the time those people are out. You may also see people on horseback. Horse riders don't seem to disturb the wildlife any more than a hiker does (I think even less). Although I never ride horses, I notice they always seem to get a late start and miss most of the wildlife. Maybe some horseback riders can comment and let us know what it is like riding a horse in bear country.
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Stan I just can’t say enough about what your videos mean to me. I am 77 yrs. old and live in Louisiana.I don’t know if I will ever be able to go out west again. I love the mountain west so much. Back in the day when CB radios were popular my cb handle/ name was mountain dreamer. Thanks again Stan for sharing these wonderful videos with everyone.
Thank you so much for taking us on your hikes with you Mr. Mills. You are very generous! And thank you for not gabbing through the entire video. I think that people who do that ruin the quality of their films. I do enjoy hearing you walk through the grass and on crusty snow. The intermitting comments are valuable and not at all intrusive. You treat your viewers with respect! You're awesome!
I know it might sound kinda weird but I really enjoy these videos especially with bears. My late husband was an avid outdoor adventurer. He tried for years to get me to move to Alaska lol. Watching these brings him to mind. I miss hiking.
You take us to beautiful places filled with animals living their lives in harmony with nature - places unlike our crowed and oft-chaotic cities. Each time you do so, we see what gorgeous vistas open up for us to admire. Your experience and your cameras become our eyes, as if we are "citizens" of that wonderful land you take us to. Thank you.
One of my favorite places on the planet. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Stan for another great video! There is only one part of each video that I hate, when The End comes on the screen. God bless & stay safe out there!
Much appreciated your time, editing, and views. Very motivating to get out and hike.
What a magnificent day!! And you are so kind to share it with us, thank you.
Absolutely beautiful! I don't think I could finish such a long hike because I would stop every 10 minutes to photograph all the wildflowers LOL Wonderful video, Stan! I just love seeing the bears, their cubs, the beautiful scenery and other wildlife, thank you!
Liesl, that is why it takes me 12 hours. Thank you for your comments.
Loved this hike - thanks again for taking us along. Loved the sow and yearly grizz!
6:07 prettiest scenery ever. And the size of those bear feet.....some big boy!. So many gorgeous trails. You are certainly a brave and experienced hiker. Thank you for showing us the wonders that exist in the wild lands.
Thank you for the arm chair tour! Beautiful as ever and as I remember, really missing it out there, soon as things simmer with the chaos of the world I will find myself amongst all Yellowstone has to provide, a park, for all of us to enjoy, not to destroy. Thanks again for sharing your journey.
Such beautiful country with all the flowers, streams and wildlife. Thankyou Stan for making it possible that I can enjoy it even in San diego.
Oh thank you for your comment Jane Simone. I bet it is a little cooler here than in San Diego.
Thank you for all your hard work making yellowstone videos. Love to see wildlife from comfort of my home in bigfork Mt. My husband n I went to yellowstone september n stayed in gardiner. We saw the grizzlie take down the bull elk. Made me sad to see elk suffer but thats what they do. Thanks Stan
Wow, amazing footage and wonderfully filmed. Thank you for sharing this with us!
The great gray owl was a nice sighting. I'm heading to Yellowstone with my family in a few months and would love to see one of those, along with the harlequin ducks that come there in May. I enjoyed your video.
I haven't even started and am already exited to see grizzlies....of course beautiful nature too.Thanks Stan!
Stan, the bears seem to pay you no mind. You've been through that area so many times that possibly, you've left your signature scent that the Bears got used to, as part of the natural environment..just joshing!
It's a beautiful country!
Wow thank you once again on taking me along with you... i really enjoy all the beautiful scenery and wildlife
That was an awesome video! Thanks for taking the time to show us what's out there.
Great map work. Amazing the concentration of grizz, in mid summer, in the national forest, not the park. And strong numbers in such a relatively small area. Its interesting the difference in our hiking styles. When I am on the trail in grizz country, the last thing I want to do is have a run in with a grizz. Ergo, I make more noise on the trail than Times Square on New Years Eve. You on the other hand are so stealthy. Wonderful video.
Bill, the thing I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that the bear are still there even though they don’t see them. During the summer they spend more daylight hours in the timber and people are walking right by them all the time. I run into bear sleeping right by the trail all the time. In fact I had a close encounter with a huge black bear next to the trail on this one. Didn’t have time for my camera because of all the trees. But this kind of thing happens usually multiple times a year. But keep doing what works for you. Your noise may help prevent those really close encounters. I have had so many of them that they don’t bother me much. I am more concerned about surprising them with my voice because I don’t like their reactions to the human voice. Their reaction is always a fear reaction to the human voice. But if they detect you in any other way they are in a calm state and can calmly analyze the situation and when he decides you are a human they move off or just stay hidden. The way I hike is basically the idea of being at peace with all the wildlife because this is their home. I try to respect that and they have forever showed me the same respect. This is how I do it because I truly believe it for me. This kind of thinking may not work for a person that does not truly believe it in his heart. Thank you for your comments.
@@StanMills Very nicely and wisely stated Stan. Words to remember.
@@StanMills Very well put Stan!
@@StanMills you say it is their home, but you don't mention the fact that it is ours also. We may not live or visit there much anymore but we belong as much as they do.
@@StanMills Had your black bear close encounter been instead that grizzly sow and cub your outcome would have likely been far worse for you. You've been very lucky so far. I hope your luck holds. And thank you for sharing your work. It's much appreciated.
Hi Stan amazing films, you are BRAVE. Thank you
Stan, thanks for sharing. Nothing like the vistas along the Continental Divide. Healthy looking bears too.
Thank you, Stan Mills! I love your hikes through Yellowstone.
Uncertain, but this area people can ride four-wheelers or motorcycles? This may be just outside the park. Hmmm.
Never the less, great stuff here!
Yes, this is just outside of the park but in the Yellowstone Ecosystem
Loving these new videos!! I start every day checking to see if you have posted a new one!!! What a wonderful way to see and experience what Yellowstone is truly like.. thank you so much!!!
Once again thank you for sharing. Beautiful country and I love the Grizzlies again thank's
Awesome views! Thanks for sharing that little corner outside of Yellowstone.
Man are you ever afraid of the bears on those trails?
Thank you for the beautiful footage.
Artem, no I am not afraid. I go out there to explore God’s creation. My armor and protection is God’s faithful promises and the wisdom he teaches me shows me how to treat animals and how to hike and camp out there safety. Thank you for your comments.
What a nice hike loved all the bears an flowers an screnery . Great job thank you so much!
It was a great hike.
I love 🖤 your work, great shots📽
Bears scare the hell out of me🐻...
and 🦈
I am just sitting here impressed with Stan's ability to write legibly with the pen tool. When I try it it looks terrible.
I was thinking the same thing 😂😂
Me too and wanted to ask what kind of SW he’s using that allows him to write so nicely.
I am using a sketch pad that is hooked to my computer. I just load a picture into my free Autodesk sketchbook software and and write with my sketch pad pen on top of it.
Thank you great video. Beautiful country.
Stan - once again a wonderful journey. One of the big things I've learned from you has nothing to do with bears! And that is the range of landscape that Moose move in is far greater than I realized. I always presumed they stayed in bottom lands near lakes and marshes. But you show them ranging up on hillsides and mountain slopes. When I was in YNP in 2016 I tried hard to spot Moose and never could find them! (Lamar Valley/Swan Lake Flats areas). Thank you for being such a wonderful guide.
Another great video Stan. Thanks!
Enjoyable video Stan. That one grizzly had some unique coloring. It seemed darker than usual and also had the light colored patch behind its left front shoulder.
Was the bear marked for nuisance bear?
Another great video. Looks like a good year for wildflowers . Love the bear tracks shown in the videos.
Beautiful 👍👍. Thank you and God bless ✌️
Absolutely beautiful country and great pictures . I love watching bears ,too . Now it’s time to “ fess up “ , it probably would only take you 3 hours to do the hike if you didn’t spend so much time gazing at the bears ! Excellent video .
Howdy from Sacramento! What beautiful country out there. We really enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing!
We were just in Yellowstone and the surrounding area hoping to see a Great Gray Owl. But none of the guides with whom we inquired knew where any of them are at this time of the year (late June to early July, in our case). Great that you got to see one along with all of those great Grizzly Bear sightings! Thanks for sharing.
John, I see them multiple times a year in this area.
@@StanMills , that's great! Maybe we'll do better next time.
Thank you. Great shots.
Walking in heaven...😉🇨🇦
Beautiful views! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing a very peaceful and tranquil video, I love animals and I have just subscribed to your channel, again, thank you very much! 🖒🤗🖒very well done!
Just beautiful. Thank you.
What an amazing hike. Thanks. 👍🙏
God’s country❤️. Thank you...stay safe out there!
Wonderful. So inspiring. Thank you.
Another good video Stan, thanks for sharing. Got to say, the only time I get nervous watching, is when you bush wack through heavy growth/forest. I know I tried to avoid those areas as much as possible in my trips to Yellowstone and Glacier back country, certainly was always on 'high alert' as I am sure you are also.
MrWinger, I do a lot of off-trail "bush wack" on purpose because at mid day that gives me a better chance to see wildlife (although I was on established trail all the way on this hike). I really don't go into the first 100 yards in deep timber from the trail that much any more because there seems to be a lot of sleeping bear in that zone. Or basically any deep dark timber that surrounds an open field. When I do, I do it very slow and carefully. It is about 80 degrees now and if I was a bear I would be laying in some water or sleeping in the cool shade while also being able to keep an eye on things.
Great Grey owl, I saw one up close in Alaska following me and my dog hoping some rodents would be moved by my dog. He eats what ever he catches.
Love these animal encounters. Have you ever come upon a bear unaware of its presence that caused you to be in danger.
Great coverage....I know that small parking area by the trailhead....I'll need to get up there for an early morning hike.....Thanks!
Hi~~ My friend~~ I came to watch with your new video. Is mother bear with baby bear more dangerous? The wildflowers there are so pretty. I always support you. Have a good time. Thumb up 17
Hiking man, it would only be my personal opinion by answering that. But I will tell you this, I find myself being extra cautious around mothers with cubs.
Beautiful! Thank You.
Thank you.
great work! I will follow your route when hiking Yellowstone
Incredible footage! You are one intrepid fellow!
I love this guy because he doesn't talk all the time. Just let’s you see what he does.
Beautiful! But I had my bear spray sitting beside me on the couch.
fantastic scenery!
Another enjoyable video, thanks.
Great video! Thanks for letting us know the name of the trail.
Awesome. Thanks for doing this.
Oooo i was with you ..the rain the smell and IT Cut 😭 thank you ....IAM so scare to go alone . Its a real prison ......o mister i wanted to be as courage as you are . .and free too💗
Nice hike with lots of big predators ... cool
I was in Yellowstone and Grand Teton this past 2 weeks and saw only a black bear once 😭. Wished I have heard of this trail, dang!
Very, very nice!!
Lots of bears on this hike, Stan. I was just noticing how dry the timber and trees looked, thinking perhaps this area hadn’t gotten much rain, when all of a sudden, your hike is ending and there’s rain. Speaking of which, How do you enjoy hiking in the rain and mud? Especially, trying to set-up and sleep in rain?
I love sleeping in a tent while it is raining. But I actually only camp in the backcountry a couple times a year. It makes it to hard to spot wildlife when you have to get up, eat, and tear down camp. By then the best viewing times in the morning have passed. I need to be moving down the trail before first light. This is how I am able to see so many bears.
Thanks Stan!! Lots of bears for sure!! Did the black bear see you when you saw him? What did he do? We've had many different reactions from black bears over the years. Some looked in our windows, tried to get in the door, (he smelled something good lol), some ran through the yard really fast, and another one just walked through and didn't see my husband or dog standing there watching him.
No he didn't see me. But he was so little and cute I would let him walk right up to me without worry.
Can you imagine camping out there with a lot of venison hanging around the tent. Lol
Nice video, Regards from Italy
What William Thompson said, exactly.
That owl was a chonk.
Great videos Stan i keep telling others to watch some great Views👍🐻🌲🌄 8:20 🐻Mum that stan guys here again 🐻 Ok lets move along😲😅
Love your video’s Stan, I can’t get enough. I have one question, do you take any extra precautions when approaching or walking through the timbered areas of your hike. Many thanks
Not really. But the problem is that you cannot see the bears far away when they are in the trees. If it looks too unsafe along with seeing fresh bear signs I may avoid going into that particular spot or area.
So, although difficult for me to admit, I am a bit of an old codger now, turning 70 in a couple of months. I have been hiking/fishing grizz country, Alaska, Montana, Wyo, Canada for more than 40 years. I never want, or seek, a close quarters bear encounter, period, and in particular I don't ever want a close quarter bear encounter with a grizz. So I make noise, LOTS of noise. (In the Ystone area I hike/fish areas that are off road and off trail where I often feel like I am the last person on earth.) I carry bear bells on my pack and fishing vest. I carry two different whistles, one a police whistle, one a survival whistle, both of different pitches, which I toot on regularly. And I yell, sing and call out. There is no doubt these bear know I am coming... no surprises. I also carry bear spray and a .44 spl, neither of which, I am happy to report, I have even needed to use. Knock on wood in 40 years I have NEVER had a close encounter with a grizz. So...so far, so good. Nonetheless, you keep doing what works for you. Not my style but obviously it works for you and you are at peace with it.
Bill, thanks for your comment. My style is not for everyone like you say. Also when people ask me, I tell them you should do what is most comfortable for you. My only point is that this is their home (the bears) and I want to respect that and not disturb them in their home.
Pretty country.
Dear Stan, would you ever consider taking individuals with you on your hikes? And thank you for using dissolves as your transitions instead of cuts. It makes your videos so pleasant to watch.
Since you see lots of Bears, do you ever just get used to it? During my hikes, if I see a Black Bear (no matter how many times), I still get quite nervous.
I am trying to see the wildlife and bears so I guess I don’t get used to it because I continue to enjoy doing it. This year I am seeing less bears than usual.
Me and the Mrs have been watching these videos whilst having our evening meal in anticipation of our trip to yellowstone in 2022. Being a keen amateur wildlife photographer I can't wait to get there, especially after that G. G. Owl, but unfortunately the wife is starting to have second thoughts after all the grizzly sightings. How can I convince her that we won't be the grizzlies next meal?
Simply Stunning Stan
Stan - please educate me... I know you are very quiet on your hikes, but I thought the conventional wisdom was to make noise so the bear knows you are there. It seems you have much success. Love your videos so much.
Sam, remember that I am all about treating God's beautiful creation in a peaceful and respectful way. I don't want to be an obnoxious human that just thinks about himself. This is the animals home and treating it respectfully is important to me. People can debate all the time about being safer by making lots of noise or being quiet. I have spent many many years being respectful and quiet and have never had a problem. The bears have always shown me the same respect back. But do what is best for you. Thanks for your comments.
In regards to the undisturbed bear-to-horse relations: Isn't there a large horse ranch in the Taylor Fork basin and they let their herd roam on surrounding mountain pastures? Perhaps bears and horses see each other daily without intruding into each others closer circles.
Horses are just animals like bears. That’s why I think bears don’t pay them much attention. I’d feel safer on horse than I normally do solo hiking, but I don’t hike trails, it’s normally tree bashing cross country and that gets scary in low visibility areas.
How long was this hike? Would you ever consider talking about what you carry with you on your hikes, is case you have a situation where you are stuck for a day or so. Thanks.
He said 12 hours.
Milage? What were askin it was ?
Thanks again Stan for sharing. Fantastic videography as usual. Question, at 9:22 there is a trail just in front of the bears. Was that the trail you intended to hike or was it a game trail ? Would seem odd to be a game trail in such an open area.
That is a game trail. I am hiking on the hiking trail and there is no other designated hiking trail in this area. The Little Wapiti trail is still about 4 miles further up.
Stan, great video as usual! Just curious, do have a supplemental exercise program you follow that allows you to be so fit or are you just a hardy fellow?
stunning place .
If you ever wrote a book, I would about your experiences I would so buy it
Amazing footage, I am thoroughly enjoying your material and I appreciate the approach you take. I’m curious how do you first spot bear? Seems they’re usually 200-800 yards away, unable to spot with naked eye. how can you see them unless you are stopping often and scanning with a strong scope?
Jerod, after spotting a lot of them I think your eye gets trained some how. People are always amazed how I spot them. I don’t have to really think about it because I just see them some how. On the other hand, there is suppose to be cougars everywhere. I have never spotted one in my life! So I guess my eyes don’t know how to spot cats.
Stan, we enjoy your videos. We're amazed how well you are able to see the grizzlies with your zoom. What type of camera gear do you use?
Marlene, I use a Canon SX70. It is in my equipment list in the description section. Thanks
Great video Stan. Do you fly fish at all? Always looking for ideas for long day hikes that I can combine with fishing. thanks
Ok ! Who put a thumbs down! Must have been a mistake
Shirley Duncan Looks like 30 mistakes so far....
A the risk of sounding like a complete dork here Stan..Have you ever noticed the top right side of the Yellowstone Map is shaped like a Grizzly bear head? Lol
Great continent as usual. I need to get back to the Park soon.
What a beautiful landscape.
Do you make loud sounds while hiking to pretend that you run just in a surprised bear standing behind the rock next curve?
Stan, with all the time you spend out hiking have you ever been charged by a bear?
No, the bears are free of charge in nature. ;-) Sorry couldn't resist the joke.
In all the years I have been doing this I have never had a real charge. I had grizzlies run the wrong direction a few times towards me but when they realized they were going the wrong way they changed direction. Never even used bear spray although I have it out and in my hand sometimes.
Stan Mills well continue the great adventures. I love watching these as I am into photography. Of course we don’t have grizzlies on the East Coast. Spectacular content for someone that wants to visit that has never been to Yellowstone , or others who may not be able to physically get around. I have always wondered how many trail cameras you have up. It’s not like you are covering just one small area. You seem to have them everywhere. Thank you for what you do and stay safe.
@@WillPalenscar, I have no Trail Cameras. I just use the camera I have with me. My equipment list is in the description section. For people that physically can't get around very well, Yellowstone is still a great place to see wildlife. Most people don't realize that you can probably see more wildlife from your car than you can hiking the backcountry. The only problem is that when people see something there is usually a huge crowd of people and cars. The animals seem to like being around people. Hope you make it to Yellowstone some time. Thanks for your comments.
Stan Mills so at 4:39 on this video you are walking away from camera, so are you just setting it up on a tripod and getting a short clip? Then coming back a few seconds later? There is a place in the Outer Banks where many black bear roam. It’s called Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. Most people do the same and drive,and sit and wait. Patience is typically worth it. Outside of the great video you have, I really enjoy your knowledge of the land, and the tracking. Anyone can video, but yours is so much more. I have showed many people your videos, and everyone loves them.
This is the first time I have ever seen a grizzly with white or light gray. Are they rare?
David, that grizzly had pretty common coloring. You can also see a lot of pure black grizzlies.
seems very hot day!!
Gorgeous
I want to hike with this guy
Stan, how do you seem to always maintain a distance from the bears as you walk as if you know where they are ahead of time?
Jim, I don’t. I had one very close encounter on this hike. Didn’t have time to get my camera out. It was a big black bear in the trees. He ran across the trail several feet in front of me when he saw me.
@@StanMills I have backpacked in the Tetons several times and done some hiking in Yellowstone. Just a suggestion for you video: mention your bear encounters and the precautions that you take. I think some inexperienced people may think that there is little to be concerned about when doing hikes as you do after watching your videos.