Grizzly Encounter - This is what happened when I yelled at them!

This was an encounter with 6 bears in a span of about 15 minutes. I took this video with my first video camera (Canon SX50) so it is low resolution and did not have video stabilization. This is the one and only time that I actually yelled at grizzly bears; now days I may say something to them in a nice quiet calm voice if they get too close but never in a loud voice.

[@knucklevision]

I used google translator and apparently "Go away!" in English actually means "Come and get it, dinner is served!" in Grizzly- maybe a good thing they didn't actually hear you.

[@michaelwoehrl1746]

Stan, you seem to be testing fate. It only takes one. Enjoy your video s

[@ericcomp7032]

This is a really great example of how NOT to respond to bears. A little "go away" can easily peak a bears curiosity drawing them in your direction. I've had to "stand down" bears on 3 separate occasions during my backpacking journey and I've learned that you really need to put some base in your voice, stand your ground, and make it sound like you've emerged from the pit of hell. Otherwise you just sound like a weak, wounded meal.

[@cachi-7878]

Hahahaha! He reminded me of Timothy Treadwell when he yelled “go away!”

[@hardcoreturtle3764]

Can’t scare me

[@dictator9849]

Or carry a shotgun with Deer slugs!!!

[@robertbailey3024]

I think Stan broke some of his own rules here by making unnecessary noise in that half-hearted "Go away!" could have led to tragic consequences for Stan, be he a Believer or not. Besides, I can't imagine the Lord, even if looking down on the situation and having control over it, would pass judgment in the way Stan thinks. One way or another, Stan's a lucky guy!

[@SnowboardJedi]

@@cachi-7878 I just thought the same thing

[@jdoza5184]

A grizzly 10 yards away !! Holy smoke. I was fly fishing in the middle of a pretty fast moving river up to my waist so I had very slow mobility when two moose walked out of the brush and into the river down stream from me about 15 yards away and I about died from fright. It took me a very long time to inch myself upstream where I finally saw an opening to get out. Can’t imagine how frightened you must have been. Stay safe.

[@adxzkj6046]

Stupidity has no bounds, and now thanks to the internet, it has no limits

[@shirlandbranch109]

The bears is head of the game, you're trespassing in their world. They smell and saw you long before you saw them.

[@StanMills]

Yes, I am sure these bears knew I was there long before I did.

[@robertvose7310]

depends on the wind and sunlight but guessing at the at least they saw him...

[@1jackvalley580]

Nice video of you and the grizzlies just enjoying and not bothering each other. I appreciate the fact that you are one of the human beings that can look at grizzlies, and your first thoughts are not about killing them, you would rather respect their lives they have been given and enjoy their wild beauty, and I respect you and thank you for that. Stay well, Stay safe🐾🐾🙏

[@CastleMc]

I love your videos and your calm manner around bears. It is a relief to learn that you aren't impervious to fear!

[@judithtaggart7146]

My mood would have been terror. They are incredibly fast for their size, and of course very powerful. Considering how many Grizzlies were around, you were very calm.

[@cachi-7878]

“I wasn’t in the mood to video…” can be interpreted as “I soiled my shorts and now heading back…”

[@oddassembler]

What other choice did her have...

[@didibolter9362]

How exciting and thrilling to see grizzlies and even more so to be within their presence! Excellent! 🤗

[@CanesFan65]

The Lord Also gives you a Brain, Knowledge, Common Sense and sometimes a WARNING.

[@StanMills]

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent." I walk with His wisdom, not mans wisdom. Thanks for your comment.

[@ianharlen9265]

@@StanMills Seems to me that you possess the wisdom of a dim 6 year-old.

[@berndtherrenvolk1951]

I’m not sure Solomon would be doing it this way.

[@brentnichols8567]

Thank you for taking us along Mr.Mills

[@debbiea6782]

You sir are so brave to be out in the open with Grizzlies. They scare the heck outta me. I love your videos, always so calm and beautiful scenery. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@UglyBikeling]

Better him than me..I couldn't

[@treemands]

Stupidity can be confused for braveness. He doesn't sound calm he sounds scared schitless he will become a meal.

[@dictator9849]

Wow Stan, this video is great although scary! While they are unpredictable, when they are in their element and food for them abounds in a good year, the grizzlies have no interest in us. I know there’s more to it than that, but everything scales from that fact. I would love to have the opportunity you have to hike these trails. Thanks for the videos, I can at least live through them!

[@dr.doolittle4763]

Actually they will become interested if you persist in their presence. Also, younger males are known to be more 'curious' and therefore more aggressive.

[@flynnstone3580]

One thing I learned in my 50 years of hiking the High Sierras is that bears and mountain lions have no natural predators. At that distance I leave them alone but keep an eye on them. Only when they get within 50 yards I turn into a wild man thrashing, yelling, and chasing them. They run every time because nothings ever chased them before. Never had a bear or cat turn back.

[@geniemedford9200]

Good to know!

[@flynnstone3580]

@@geniemedford9200 best thing to have, better than bear spray in my opinion, is a small air horn they sell in the boating department at Walmart for $6. One short blast and they're off. Three short blast means emergency and you need help.👍

[@Oldclimber1]

All of that is fine, so long as you realize the vast majority of interactions does not encompass the whole of possibilities, and accept the outcomes.

[@Oldclimber1]

Additionally, I understand those animals are not hunted consistently in the Sierra states. Where I live in Pennsylvania, you will rarely see a bear as they are well aware of the danger inherent in "humans", and do not expose themselves. And I have only encountered a mountain lion once in my whole life of 70+ years, as they are both rare and very wary.

[@johnsolberg5611]

Why not stay out of their area?

[@NCflyfishingguides]

The bears was likely thinking, you go away, get out of my home.

[@chrislewis4241]

Stan will you please be extra careful, hope you carry protection. I DO NOT want to hear about you on the news!

[@BroSlayzer]

I'm a huge fan of Stan for being so brave to bring us this content. One of the greatest places on Earth. Wish I was there right now

[@didibolter9362]

I agree with you Stan, you shouldn't have yelled at the Grizzlies! Wow, they are stunning animals!! 🤗 I still like your camera, very nice close - ups my friend, very nice video too, thank you sincerely for sharing your videos and for all the work that you put in so we can see them on KZbin, I very much appreciate that!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@georgesampson4714]

It is times like this when you wish you had brought the Ghostbusters backpack sprayer full of bear spray and the bungy cord attached to the follow-me sky hook.

[@Megan-mm5oz]

Thank you 😊

[@michaelhall1156]

At least you let them know you were Human and in the area,amazing hike,Stan the man really is the best

[@6teezkid]

Grizzlies are everywhere in Yellowstone, so when people go hiking why is it a surprise to see one or 5? And since we all know they're there, why do people go hiking in there? I don't get it.

[@StanMills]

Well, go hiking there, maybe you will get it.

[@billsmith3250]

The best advice can be found in the book "Hiking With Grizzlies" by Tim Rubbert. You don't want to show fear around a large predator. If you're even a little afraid, you're showing fear. Read the book. There's no reason to be fearful in the vast majority of bear encounters, including this one. Grizzlies don't hang out together except when there's lots of food around. In the Two Medicine Valley in Glacier National Park, when moths are hatching, I've seen 25+ grizzlies in close proximity. Other people have seen upwards of 50. They're so busy eating that they could care less about you as long as you aren't surprising them. Just talk in your lowest voice and they'll know you're there. Enjoy the encounter.

[@TS-mq1fj]

Beautiful animals. Scent is their primary sense for both predation and danger. Being upslope during the heat of the day they likely didn't Scent you unless it was later afternoon with downdrafts dropping down into valleys and drainage.

[@swainscheps]

Well…we can definitely see how the snow drift responded….1:40 (Kidding - I would have been paralyzed and probably would have dropped the camera altogether) Very hard to tell distances here - seems like the yelled-at bears were plenty far away relative to other encounters…

[@bruceabrahamsen221]

Should have kept quiet and backed out of there.

[@nancyfromswlouisiana8480]

Yes thank the Lord , He was protecting you ! And give Him thanks always for protection ! Take care , love your videos !

[@jonEmontana]

That chocolate bear is a pretty big bruin! Beautiful bear

[@joshbutler8147]

The lord sends “angles” . . . says the guy who yells at bears. That a actually makes sense.

[@sierrashere6957]

The world is getting so scary, so happy and heart warming to see another u tuber acknowledge God, the God of the Bible : )

[@rossbideon]

Not sure why so many in such close proximity. It seems like breeding season as they were following each other around. Might be June.

[@StanMills]

Yes…June 8 about 10 years ago.

[@WyomingandtheWild]

My heart was racing just watching this video. 😮

[@user-qc7hr4my7r]

These bears watch Stan on KZbin so he’s respected in the bear community😉

[@Oldsparkey]

I would bet they knew you were in the area before you knew they were there. During my life I have had the pleasure of watching animals when they don't know you are there. There posture changes ( or they vanish ) when they know someone is coming before the person knows they are there.

[@StevenTorrey]

I suspect the same prayer a bear makes....

[@chrisanngianoli2206]

So I am probably a minority of one. But the first art video you did started with wolves. A profile. Then it filled in. This one. It stated with sheep. BOTH times I immediately reacted to the first shot. The one with all that negative white space. I love that. Love it. Yo are so talented. Anyway. Once we get this house a bit further. I’ll order a print. And I am thrilled to be able to do so. We are unpacking boxes this week. Have been living in a garage/ back room for 10 months. So as I fill things out and find the new design set up. I’ll be in touch. Also. Lotta bears. Long way from a road. Angels indeed. Keep warm. Happy thanksgiving. America holds on to democracy instead of diving off a cliff.

[@StanMills]

Thank you for the nice comments. It sounds like you are a busy person. This video is from a hike I did about 10 years ago on June 8. I have learned a lot of stuff since then and I don't yell at grizzly bears any more. If I do, it is in a calm, more quiet and peaceful kind of voice. The two grizzlies in this video were a mating pair. The other 2 grizzlies not in the video were by themselves. I am not sure about the 2 black bears. They looked like siblings to me but I am not sure. Thank you.

[@LewisPuseyOK]

Anything a grizzly could take as a challenge. If they wanted to eat you, they would have been sneakier. In the winter animals are hungrier. My 2 cents.

[@timw3411]

When will we get to hear your testimony?

[@teresabarbao8593]

Wow that’s amazing you saw all those bears on that hike . Thank the good lord for his protection . Amen on standing in faith for all gods promises are yes an amen . Yes lord we believe . What a nice day in Yellowstone great memories , pretty exciting for you to remember . Thank you nice to see those grizzlies!!!

[@JingsWorld]

Haven’t seen so many bears , must be early morning and looking for food..

[@tehrihumbert876]

10 yards ?!!!... damned close !!! Thx.

[@elizabethwhite6364]

Great video! So close to the one - wow! Good info on safety!

[@Dinoxt12]

Amen !

[@FC-xc3zy]

I will never go to bear country without a tucked magnum 44 and bear spray.

[@johngould7548]

Can you tell us how long ago you had this encounter?

[@edyilky6778]

I yelled to get big Grizz away from me , he was approaching fast and I didn't want to kill a bear. I ended up shooting him point blank with shotgun. It took 3 slugs to head to drop him 3 feet away from me. My yelling allmost got me killed.

[@marilynwargo6288]

Oh my, Stan!

[@marianfrances4959]

Awesome, terrifying and memorable.👍😎🇨🇦🐻🐻🐻🐻

[@marcdaigle1163]

Thanks for sharing this... This summer, on a turned road, while walking,... a black bear was walking towards me. I crossed on the otherside of the road, hehe... I'm sure there is a joke there somewhere... Why did the human cross the road? Hehe...🐻

[@Dashbshots]

Got bears? If you are ever in a bear attack, protect your eyes and the hand you draw with. In another YT hiking video by someone else, a grizzly did not react until they yelled to it. Then it started to charge. But really, bears don't speak English. I think it just makes the person speaking feel a tiny bit better. Recently, I was checking my game cameras and a big black bear was in front of one of the cameras minutes before I got there. I wish I would have seen it. I was busy watching for rutting bucks. It's a big ole goofy looking bear that has been coming here for at least 5 years. It's big enough to flip a decent sized dumpster over.

[@tinslatee]

Talk about some healthy looking bears ! wow

[@michaeltellurian825]

Yes, that's the best strategy: rely on Daddy In The Sky to protect you.

[@StanMills]

Yes, God wants you to rely on him. It’s called Faith. “Walk by faith, not by sight.”

[@777rogerf]

@@StanMills The Arabs are more responsible. They say, Trust God and tie your camel." We need to do our part.

[@oddassembler]

You're a crazy man Stan

[@randyjamesrobertson]

You can be lucky a lot of times......you only need to be unlucky just once with a grizzly.

[@StanMills]

Oh, such wisdom!

[@randyjamesrobertson]

@@StanMills you need to have someone else hiking with you…someone who can not run as fast as you. Lol. The old saying goes “ if you play with fire eventually you will get burnt “…..pass me that picinic basket boo-boo I need some mustard for my main course.

[@mycocoaone]

I had a black bear by my Jeep at home. I did not know he was there and went around the back of my Jeep to put out garbage. I stood there, then tried to speak gently to him. Literally 3 feet away. He hissed, did a small fake lunge to scare me and ran off in front of my Jeep. I of course ran back behind my Jeep and omg met him on the other side. Face to face again! Knowing NEVER run, I ran without thinking as fast as I could. In a situation you can know all the rules. Bear Spray was in my Jeep for hiking. Did not have it on me to put garbage out. Luckily it was a younger bear and he took off the other direction. We were both safe. The last thing I would ever want to do is get a bear killed.

[@berndtherrenvolk1951]

The SECOND-TO-LAST thing would be not to get a bear killed. My life comes before the bear’s.

[@grizzbirch]

Be safe my friend!

[@Sean-EmeraldImportco]

Jeez that place is crawling with bears!

[@LuckyDogGaming]

How close were you to the first group of bears?

[@johnfake2739]

Hi Stan. I love your videos and all your wisdom and knowledge. One question: what where the bears doing? It seems they were intent and not bothered by your presence, perhaps focused on some objective. But what were they doing? Looking for some kind of food?

[@StanMills]

This is mating season. That is about all the male was focused on. Good observation.

[@jonEmontana]

That’s awesome. Was that after this recent snow or a video from the past? Definitely sketchy but I think us grizzly adventures like the sketch or we wouldn’t do it That’s looks like spring melt or was that a wk ago ish

[@StanMills]

This was a hike that I did about 10 years ago.

[@ralphdady3728]

Amen

[@vdpeer]

Ahh, when you wish for a .375 H&H with a 300 grain cartridge in the chamber and three more in the magazine.

[@glitch-pr3nr]

I used to have a reoccuring dream about being chased by bears, after i read an article about a fisherman that survived a bear attack because he walked where the bears kill was located. He ran into the river and the bear chased him into the water and he killed it with his fillet knife in the jugular.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

He also sends the bears out after hibernation to clean up what didn’t make it through the winter :-)

[@PaulAmdahl]

Never even heard of bears so tight together. You might have used the wrong soap Stan...

[@patriciagray7304]

Amen Stan, I pray that the Lord will keep you safe while you show us the glory of His creation.

[@robsnotes4u]

Springtime, mating season

[@lindatabler9687]

Amen! Thank You for your protection of Stan!

[@debbiea6782]

Are you still selling your art?

[@UglyBikeling]

Are you wearing camouflage? How do they not get you

[@user-wh5so3ns6b]

The prudent man sees trouble coming from a distance and hides himself but a fool allows himself to blunder into trouble & suffers the consequences. (My own paraphrase of Proverbs 22:3)

[@dugfern]

There ain't no god that's gonna keep you from dying.

[@StanMills]

You say that because you don’t know Him.

[@dugfern]

@@StanMills I have thought about it extensively and lived 70 yrs knowing that humans are nothing but glorified rats. That's a lot more than any jumped up christo philosopher who takes the easy way out with his nonsensical fantasies.

[@audrybella6405]

Thanks for the video and sharing your experience. Sure hope you aren't bucking to be the next "Grizzly Man"...... things didn't end so well for him (nor his poor, supposed girlfriend).

[@paulb1915]

You're in their yard. You go away. I would've yelled too, though. :)

[@johntuttle9544]

Don't git et, stan! :D

[@JamesRobertSmith]

What's the grizzly population in Yellowstone these days?

[@StanMills]

Hard to say. The way they estimate it is very much up for debate.

[@mrackerm5879]

If you're shaking, the bears must be much closer than they appear in the video.

[@StanMills]

and this is a very old video.

[@MrWinger1951]

Is it possible the darker bear was a female and there were cubs nearby, the lighter bear being a male? Seems there was some sort of interaction going on between them, which fortunately may have kept them distracted from approaching you?

[@StanMills]

It was June 8. Middle of breeding season. The male was following the female back and forth right next to me.

[@MrWinger1951]

@@StanMills Ok, that was my second guess. Ha. Either way distraction certainly played in your favor.

[@playnationtoday]

They seemed fixated on each other. Could it be mating season. Looks like it was late spring/early summer when this was filmed.

[@StanMills]

Yes, you are totally correct. This was June 8, about 10 years ago.

[@rammur]

reguardless what you see on media all the time grizzlys are not ravenous man eaters most the time they just ignore you unless they get curious even then alot of times they will get close enough to see what you are then typically just turn and walk off each bear though is diffrent

[@dreday4177]

They were 500 yards away. They couldnt see or hear you lmao

[@louisevad6091]

Bears are wild animal and can be predictable until they are not. Best to be prepared to defend yourself if charged.

[@bloodyeyeful]

Glad you are well Stan. Angels will watch over us if we let them. Blessings all.

[@michelebullock9867]

Good one all around.

[@AC-li2pj]

you should work for national geographic documenting bears lol

[@carlostrujillo8522]

omg, that is super scary. If I was there I would think one of two scenarios: (1) a mother with a kid and a lone male chasing the female to mate and probably chase away the kid, or (2) a boyfriend and girlfriend together and a larger male approaching to steal the girlfriend. Both I would never want to be close to and I absolutely agree: dont make myself known and a nuisance to them.

[@NalaRichenbach]

You be careful around those bears.

[@annaj688]

good thing it wasn't springtime, they look pretty plump for Winter :)

[@StanMills]

It was spring time. June 8 about 10 or 12 years ago. This is a hike with my first video recording camera

[@annaj688]

@@StanMills OH MY, WHAT an experience!!! I agree Our Lord was watchin' over you. I too have been hiking solo for decades, in to the wilds that God has created. He's helped me out of a few close encounters too :) Great videos you have made, THANK YOU for taking many along with you

[@ajadrew]

What happens happens - My camera woud have shook too 👍😊

[@eric00921]

It is a 50/50 chance, you got lucky.

[@onestgermain]

How many times you can tempt fate? Stuck in a snowbank, grizzly within 10 yards🤔 Perhaps many have asked? Do you carry? Weapon, bear spray? Hiking alone…I am no expert… I hope you stay safe and well!

[@StanMills]

I always have 2 cans of bear spray. This is one of my hikes from 10 or 12 years ago. But if you get time to watch more of my videos on my channel, you will see why and how I hike solo all the time. Thank you for your comments.

[@JQ3GT]

No sir, The Lord told me NOT to go out into grizzly country! He told you too but you don't listen! Keep it up and oneday you'll meet The Lord by way of a grizzly!

[@tomcarpenter2421]

Why would you put yourself in a situation like that ?

[@garyag45]

👍👍👍🦅😎🇺🇸

[@paulb1915]

Trespassing on a bear's property and telling it to go away?

[@eric00921]

If he ate you, you would say, the lord sent me there to feed them. The lord doesn't work that way, do you think he is stopping bears from attacking, you got lucky. The lord helps thee who themselves. Get it?

[@StanMills]

Thank you for watching the video.

[@cachi-7878]

@3:45, that’s what Timothy Treadwell said too…

[@sandradee8093]

😱Check the video in frames of the tree areas. Can I have an email address to send the sighting I had of Sasquatch in this video???

[@marianfrances4959]

Oh, I counted 139...

[@glitch-pr3nr]

Don't bother them and they won't bother you, unless you haven't changed your dirty underwear? They do not see well, but can smell for miles. I think you need a .45 to back up your bear spray and bear bell.