Close Grizzly in the Fog - Yellowstone Ecosystem

[@roberts9862]

I’m full circle on Stan’s videos. After discovery, I was in heaven (we hike out west each fall, thrilled by the large wildlife we’ve seen on trails, grizzlies included). Stan’s stuff defines “peaceful hiking” and is a joy to watch. Over time, I believed he was tempting fate, or worse, had a death wish. Over more time, his calm reasoning convinced me (“driving a car is far more dangerous”, “I’m just out living my life”), and I’m back to enjoying them. Drivers regularly turn ignitions and speed past other 2-ton blocks of metal without fear or concern (often for mundane point-to-point purposes), trusting their experience to navigate an ever-present danger. Stan does the same on wilderness hikes, with one key difference: He gains far more personal, even spiritual, enjoyment walking through pristine, often breathtaking country that includes not just the risk, but the ever-present "thrill" of seeing a grizzly bear. And he's nice enough to take us along.

[@loricollins3163]

So sweet to see the littles in the elk herd. As always Stan, thank you for taking us along.Stay safe and be well. - lori lee

[@teresabarbao8593]

Great job spotting those 2 grizzlies. The thick fog is hard to see anything until your almost right there close to the wildlife. You did a good job being slow an quiet . Nice to see !!! Sure green an lush . Nice digs and elk were nice to watch also. Thank you fun video!

[@barbaraberrier8840]

Beautiful. So peaceful, made me wish I could pull up a hammock and just listen to nature for awhile. Have a blessed Sunday.

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

Great video, Stan......keep showing us all the beauty of nature! Appreciate your work.

[@scp--wc9zv]

The fog makes it even more beautiful.

[@jameswalker9002]

Thanks Stan. Such beautiful country and God's amazing wildlife. You are truly blessed. 🙏☝️

[@marjorjorietillman856]

Wow, you’ve seen and come in contact with countless bears and has never been attacked or mock-charged by any of them! I believe it’s your reliance on knowledge and wisdom 100% of the time, and you don’t mind asking for a little Devine protection to boot! Thanks❤😅

[@StanMills]

For me, the main thing is to not do anything that will frighten them or upset them. For example, if a bear walks through camp not knowing I am there, I don’t jump up and start yelling and waving arms. That will frighten them and provoke them into attacking. The whole idea is to keep them in a calm state. When they discover me, while being in the calm state, they just calmly move away. That is what I have learned to do. Thanks for your comments.

[@ForkNLeans]

So brave to be there 👍😎..stay safe🙏

[@jovee9159]

It is enjoyable to see part of what you are seeing and hearing you. Thanks for doing this you tube channel!

[@andy_an_outdoors_guy]

I surprised and delighted by all the green amongst the sagebrush - very cool . Thanks Stan :)

[@robinraddatz982]

Thanks for the video. I like to see the bears but I mostly just like to listen to the peacefulness and the birds on your videos. 🤷‍♀️. Haven’t been up there in 3 years and it feels like forever.

[@j.d.culbertson4265]

I like when you show us where you are hiking. I can get out my topos and check out the terrain. Just got home from Yellowstone. Saw one grizzly, a big boar in a meadow.

[@MsDerekpack]

This is my favorite KZbin channel. I really appreciate your videos and the knowledge you share. Im currently in Yellowstone doing hikes now. Thanks again for your posts!

[@kristinaprice3870]

Another great video. Thank you for sharing!

[@garyag45]

Thanks for the tag along. 🦬🫎🦅😎🇺🇸👍

[@NotMartinLuther]

So cool, you’re brave my friend. God bless!!

[@chrisottenstroer7202]

Beautiful but can’t help but think that the more you put yourself close to these creatures something bad can happen. There is no perfect way to act with a wild animal.

[@StanMills]

Is that like me saying to you, “the more you drive your car something bad can happen”?

[@bassingbasics6621]

The day he stops posting is the day you know what happened 😂

[@wendingourway]

Think I'd be hiking in the opposite direction as soon as I could. lol Not an encounter I'd appreciate...my worse nightmare out and about with Otis. Be safe. Bruce and Otis

[@janicericciuti9035]

Thanks Stan beautiful hike

[@jonEmontana]

Good to see those elk calves growing up!

[@benjamintorke7990]

Another great video! It is interesting to see a white-tailed deer in this video. Do you see many white-tailed deer in Yellowstone? They are much less common than mule deer in the N.P., but perhaps this was filmed outside of the park.

[@shawnathon60]

Doing all the right things,,, in the fog with Grizzly bears? MMmm,, Grizzly Man did that,,

[@StanMills]

I don’t agree. He didn’t respect them by ‘always’ treating them like the potentially dangerous animal that they are.

[@didibolter9362]

Hello Stan, great video my friend! Filming in the fog is quite interesting and different, I like it, it gives a new dimension to the item that's being filmed. Seeing the Elk herd and Deer is always a joy for me I really love those beautiful animals! 😍😚😙 Have you heard about a herd of feral horses in Canada this week? My brother told me that he seen it on the Internet, that a male Grizzly was stalking this herd of feral horses and his mate was tagging behind him and the male grizzly got the momma horse and 2 feral baby horses and within 2 days the Grizzlies, and the Wolves and the birds had cleaned up the kill. How horribly tragic is that?!!? I just LOVE horses so much and I feel so bad for those precious beauties! 😭😢😭😢😭 I wish that Canada would do something about this situation, I know they wont, but, I really wish that they would! Gather the horses, and sell them to people who wants to tame them and /or keep them themselves, but, NO meat buyers!!

[@lisacooper3991]

So dangerous. Untamed and Scary Bear Attacks channels need to be watched. In the news, last several years black bears have been reported attacks on the AT in Tennessee,hikers came across another hiker being eat by black bear. Everyone needs to be alert and safe. It's not to scare a person from adventuring out and enjoy life, it's to stay prepared and stay safe.

[@hernandezfam9652]

Thanks Stan I enjoy your videos. Don't listen to the haters. Please stay safe ❤

[@kurtalmquist]

awesome I just got back from being inside the cluster F----k park- did see some amazing animals- but last week went into Big horn out of the park- much better- only saw 2 people- I hike to Fawn pass- didn't see any thing but was amazing

[@StanMills]

I went up to the Lamar area off trail about 2 weeks ago. Not doing that again this year. It was terrible with all that construction going on. They just have to keep adding and “improving” everything. The park is being ruined with all this construction and improvements everywhere.

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

It looks beautiful 😊

[@rosswilliams8945]

Stan, your videos are phenomenal, very unique. I watch them all the time. Thanks for all the great footage and info you provide. I see you used the monocular in this video. What magnification do you use on it? Just curious.

[@StanMills]

Look in the description section of this video for info on the scope. And thank you for your comments. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWi7gWR3rap5l8Usi=YTRY84FPurqy2uLY

[@bryanbyrd9478]

I really enjoy and love your videos. They are excellently done. However, aren't you flirting with danger? The same danger you advise others to avoid? It seems knowing this is bear habitat and bear type weather conditions, you somehow see yourself as different than the mere mortal, in that, you will somehow avoid a lethal bear attack. It doesn't compute in my mind. Any way you might clarify?

[@StanMills]

As I said in this video and many others, I don't like to hike in thick fog. It is a long drive to get here and I really wanted to go hiking so I went. I don't recommend hiking in these conditions. But I have done it many times before and know what to expect and how to handle it. As far as "flirting with danger", aren't you flirting with danger every time you take your car out onto the dangerous roads? Keep things in perspective. The most dangerous part of this hike by far was the drive up here! Do you sit in your house all day because you are afraid of getting killed driving your car?? I am out living my life. Been doing it for 68 years. You do not have to live a life of fear. Trust in the Lord and go out and live and enjoy all the amazing things He wants to give you. And one of those things is LIFE.

[@bryanbyrd9478]

@@StanMills Well said. Be safe! Respectfully, Bryan.

[@teresabarbao8593]

Amen an amen

[@miguelsoto2594]

Recently, I was charged by big black bear in Sequoia National Park. I get hide and lost the bear. But I follow by the same passion by hike. Only are things can be occur in any hike.

[@miguelsoto2594]

Very educational hiking video. I makes few hikes in Yellowstone. Anytime you see a Wolverine or Fischer in your hikes? (only by curiosity).

[@StanMills]

I have not been lucky enough to see a wolverine. I thought for sure I saw one last year running through the deep snow. But when I came back and looked at the video, it was a black bear running through the snow.

[@miguelsoto2594]

@StanMills Slough Creek is good spot to see Badger?

[@StanMills]

@@miguelsoto2594 Yes, in fact this video has a badger on slough creek in it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKCke3toe6mfhKM

[@davidsuch8942]

​@@miguelsoto2594slough creek has fishers. I saw one from up close my first time there

[@Thisworks4u]

i can smell the sage, yum!

[@carterthemlgpro1380]

Hey Stan, I live in Bozeman and have been exploring a lot of the places in your videos. During the hotter summer months, where do you tend to find grizzlies?

[@StanMills]

That is the question. I wish I knew the answer.

[@cindynichols27]

I wonder also about the wisdom of sitting on the ground to rest in all of that sage brush. Doesn't that just invite a mishap when a bear comes upon you by accident from an unexpected angle?

[@StanMills]

I don't do anything to upset them. Here is an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWS9l6Gwg7xphbc

[@cindynichols27]

@@StanMills Thanks very much for your reply. To be sure I understand: if you were sitting down low amidst some shrubs and a bear came upon you, say, from behind or the side, you would simply continue to sit very still? Would you talk to the bear?

[@StanMills]

@@cindynichols27 Every encounter is its own situation. With so many encounters with grizzly bears I can read their mood and behavior almost immediately. But no matter what, they can be a deadly wild animal and you have to treat them that way. For me, keeping everything as calm as possible has always worked best. I've had grizzlies react to me even when they were facing away and I didn't think they knew I was there. One thing I always keep in mind is that a grizzly will always react in some way or another as soon as they detect you at any distance.

[@jonathangilmore3193]

I would like to have seen the Salamander respected in the same way that the larger mammals were!

[@StanMills]

I was checking to see if he was alive. I was considering moving him off of the trail so something doesn’t step on him.

[@vdpeer]

I enjoy your videos, and hope you stay safe with your quiet approach. But I still worry for you that one day you'll surprise a grizzly at too close range, and may not get your bear spray out in time. You're doing a risky thing.

[@StanMills]

You may like this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpLPmmCXga2Wja8

[@markstanton2362]

The Lord determines Stan's last day on earth

[@StanMills]

@@markstanton2362thank you very much for that and so totally true!

[@cindynichols27]

Stan, I apologize if you've been asked this a few million times before. The advice I've always heard in the Tetons and elsewhere is that a hiker should alert bears to their presence by periodically hollering, "Hey Bear!" or wearing bells. This prevents surprise which may anger a bear or cause it to react violently. In your videos, though, you always navigate really quietly. Can you speak to that? P.S. It did just occur to me that you basically do as all the other animals do in grizzly country: stay quiet and alert at all times, and, I think, mostly move slowly. I'm thinking of deer, moose, maybe some birds. One certainly doesn't see these animals running around making loud noises, yelling Hey Bear! etc. haha

[@StanMills]

I am not giving advice. This is the way I do it after many years of solo hiking in grizzly country. It is based on my experiences. It is what I find is best for me; it is not based on peoples books, or advice from people that have little or no experience actually hiking solo in grizzly country. Also, it is not all about Me Me Me. It is about the wildlife and their home and treating them with respect, not being an obnoxious human that only thinks about himself. But like I said, this is the way I do it, you should do what feels best for you. Thank you for your comments.

[@cindynichols27]

@@StanMills I very much appreciate your reply. The problem is that I and others have no experience. We want to know the beauty of the Montana and Wyoming mountains in a way that doesn't impinge on the wildlife. We haven't had the good fortune of living nearby all of our lives. If that can't be done, if my being there without enough knowledge of the land ultimately disrupts the lives of the grizzlies there, then I guess I must simply stay away, and that's ok. I'm 66 and, though I've hiked, camped, and backpacked all my life in various places, I have very little experience with grizzlies and can't afford to move, live near them, and learn from long, gradual experience. Increasingly, of course, bears and lions are widening their terrain due to drought, wildfires, human encroachment, and so on, and more and more encounters seem to be happening. We need to learn or re-learn how to live among them, but most of us are clueless. Your videos are amazing because they seem to offer authentic help. We are badly in need of help if we are not to further hurt these animals. I can't really just go into grizzly country and trust my feelings. I don't know them or their behavior well enough, so I seek out assistance from someone who does.

[@montanaguy51]

Awesome! Have you ever had a grizzly run away from you and then intentionally circle around and behind you?

[@StanMills]

Probably I am guessing. Based on the fact that I have had fresh tracks on top of my tracks when I turned around. That has happened many of times.

[@StanMills]

One other note: I obviously don’t see every grizzly that is around me while hiking. I have observed them getting off the trail or out of the way to let hikers pass by and then getting back on the trail.

[@sherryanimallover7506]

That little creature might have needed water.

[@Tina-gv9dm]

Didn’t seem like a windy day. I keep reading how bears have such good sense of smell. Why don’t they detect you sooner and run away?

[@StanMills]

Very good observation. I try to explain that in a lot of my videos. Here is just one that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip24aoRnn5mUgZY

[@jolenecreech7648]

I understand your attitude while being quiet and cautious while hiking in grizzly country, but that constant feeling of being on high-alert would take away some of my enjoyment of being in the moment.

[@StanMills]

That’s an interesting view. But for me I guess it is the exact opposite. Thanks for your comment.

[@davidsuch8942]

You're referring to high alert nervous. He isn't nervous because he knows what he's doing.

[@billkreitner9884]

Just wondering which basic area of the park you hiked, and what time of year this is. A;Lao wondering if this was a regular trail or if you just decided to go from a point A to point B based on your knowledge of the park.

[@StanMills]

All of Yellowstone has bears. This was a hike done a day or two before the published date. This hike is both on and off established trails. If you hike off trail in Yellowstone, make sure you know which areas allow and don’t allow off trail hiking.

[@ForkNLeans]

Soooo .you pretty much LOOK for grizzlies?

[@StanMills]

Yes. I hope you would too while hiking in Yellowstone. It is a mistake not to be looking for them. Any further questions?

[@robertbailey3024]

Whenever and wherever I hike, I have my 10X binoculars on my neck strap. It makes it easy to explore and observe my surroundings at all times. It seems you bring with you a monoscope (without a strap) and your camera. There are high quality, compact, light-weight binos available -- much easier for viewing one's surroundings in an instant than a strapless monoscope and camera. Just a suggestion.

[@StanMills]

I have all kinds of binoculars, even image stabilizing binoculars. But for me, nothing is as small, light, and out of the way as this monoscope. I don’t like things around my neck all day like binoculars or ties. If you have to move fast, like in this case, binoculars flopping around my neck is not a good thing.

[@stokebailey]

@@StanMills I get it. I don't like ties around my neck either and don't wear them.. However, there are some excellent 16 oz. 10x30s. Won't even notice them around the neck. Stay safe!

[@406dn7]

@@stokebailey There are any number of binocular harnesses that hold the binoculars close to your chest. The binoculars don't flop around and are easily removed to use. I carry them while horseback. If they don't flop then, they won't flop around when afoot.

[@StanMills]

@@406dn7yes, have that also but it gets in the way of my pack. And it is an additional hassle when I want to remove layers.

[@JoshuaCrunk]

A White Tail! I don't often see them in that area. Or at least where I believe that area to be.

[@StanMills]

Which area do you think this is?

[@JoshuaCrunk]

Feel free to delete that comment if you don't wish it posted here

[@StanMills]

@@JoshuaCrunk very good.

[@matthiusantonin2652]

You’re not scared. Do you experience adrenaline? For some people, eg soldiers and extreme sportspeople, it can be addictive, pleasurable.

[@ForkNLeans]

Are you permitted to go into the areas you do ? I never see other hikers

[@StanMills]

Yes. Make sure you know all regulations and times that certain areas may be closed. I do see other hikers but I don’t put them in the videos.

[@ForkNLeans]

@@StanMills understandable

[@oddassembler]

10% of Grizzly Bear's diet is meat. That is 90% for Polar Bears

[@jamess7576]

Depends on the grizzly and location. Male boars in the GYA can get 45-75% of their protein from meat.

[@ForkNLeans]

You must be dressed in camo and look like the terrain if you want to be quiet!??

[@marianfrances4959]

👍😎🇨🇦

[@williamfreeman2146]

It will be a sad day when Stan gets mauled - hope he makes it

[@lorrainedaliessio3998]

Seems like you are purposely trying to engage with the bear.

[@StanMills]

I am purposely trying to see wildlife including bears. I have a couple hundred videos showing that. ???

[@Dieseldog172]

You are teaching people how to surprise and be attacked by a grizzly bear. Every expert on the planet will tell you to make some noise while hiking as to not surprise a bear. I enjoy watching your hikes but really wish you would stop saying to be quiet when you are looking for bears. People assume that you are an expert and your going to get someone killed.

[@StanMills]

Please name only one “expert “ that has more experience SOLO hiking in grizzly country and with a larger body of work. There are all kinds of “experts” sitting behind a desk and reading books. Have you ever seen one of these “experts” out solo hiking? The “experts” like to speak on solo hiking but they all have zero experience actually doing it. But like I tell you, this is the way I do it based on a lot of experience. You do what you think is best for you.

[@marianfrances4959]

👍😎🇨🇦

[@robertbailey3024]

@@StanMills I worked and hiked 5 summers in Yellowstone when I was an undergraduate student and have hiked many times since, often solo. I don't make noise and carefully observe my surroundings and enjoy close observations of the wildlife that's there rather than chase every creature away with noise. But at the same time, I'm not as experienced as Stan Mills, so I'm not going hiking off-trail or in the pre-dawn hours. I know my own limits. When I come across hikers yelling "Hey bear!" every few seconds, I just think they need to be hiking somewhere else.

[@ForkNLeans]

@@StanMills how long have you been doing this?

[@StanMills]

@@ForkNLeansthe only thing that matters is actual evidence from my log books and videos. I started making videos when I discovered KZbin. That is when I started logging everything also. Other than that it would just be hearsay without any proof. I am a firm believer in being able to show proof of what someone says or claims. So whenever my first video was public should be considered my starting date. Thank you for your questions and comments.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

What do you think of the law requiring nobody to film in national parks and monetize on KZbin and tik. Tok (they were specifically called out by the NPS)? Im in the smokies and a few channes have stopped. Some are still contributing to fil and post. I lived within cumberland island national seashore until my husband died (life estate for his life from eminent domain in 1972). 10 years ago I had to leave and I came to the smokies. I had a blog back then maybe 15-20 years ago and it was about the island. I knew back then they didn’t like it. Fast forward, this new law…. I didn’t know youtube would be so big or is of sone a channel back then. My blog was successful but I closed it when I moved off the island and now it seems someone has stolen my name, the. Cumberland island quilt chick, and I don’t know how to fix that. Anyway….. since I live in the smokies of western NC and the GSMNP is in my back yard, I am a little more aware of what happened with that law here. Thanks

[@StanMills]

I can tell you what I think personally. I could be right or wrong. I think it is only intended for people that are being disruptive to other people that are visiting the national parks. You should not be videoing other people, or getting in the way of other people whatsoever. Do not set up a tripod with people around. If you are hiking and just doing the normal things that a person would do while hiking then you should be fine. You do have your First amendment rights and they are not trying to take those from individuals just out hiking and videoing their hike and putting it on youTube (you are not a major commercial business either). That is what I think.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Thank you for your reply. I agree with YOU! I hope this gets settled. I know there was a lawsuit / fines imposed to one youtube channel and I think they are taking the NPS to court. I think there’s another group looking into it also. It’s too broad, the way it reads, and needs to be refined in order to have its original intent enforced. Surely, the NPS didn’t mean for everyday folks to not even be able to film their vacations and post on KZbin. You know, it really is bad for handicap people who can’t get out and enjoy these places. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. It’s a mess. I appreciate you replying.