Grizzly Encounter with Mother and 5 Cubs - Yellowstone National Park

This video contains an extremely rare encounter with a mom grizzly and 5 cubs. This is my video recorded on June 5, 2024 at the Specimen Ridge/Agate Creek trail junction. I don't think there is any other video of a grizzly with 5 cubs in Yellowstone National Park.

[@kevindenny3607]

Seeing five cubs is insane. What a find.

[@chrislewis4241]

Thanks Stan for allowing us to see something we never would have. Be safe out there.

[@bc8968]

I was a park ranger naturalist in summers of 71 and 72 at Canyon Village- thanks for the chance to relive the memories of this beautiful land.

[@williammcallister5855]

Thank your for making these videos that show nature at its most basic level...without any graphics or music/sound effects.

[@xdx74714]

True😊

[@ericcomp7032]

The early editing suggests that Stan survived again

[@MountainDreamer225]

Thanks Stan for making my day enjoyable from an old man from south Louisiana who can no longer travel.

[@hollypritchard2395]

Oh how I loved this viewing!! The beautiful grizzly & cubs, buffalo & elk. The scenery magnificent! Thank you so much. What a great responsibility we have! ❤

[@jolenecreech7648]

Wonderful sight to see …a grizzly with so many cubs. What an amazing world this is! Thank you for sharing. So beautiful.

[@billybob-ro6qf]

Amazing what GOD has created for us to enjoy. Let us give Him Praise & Worship daily.

[@heather-cz8yk]

Absolutely gorgeous land, wildlife and park. I notice a difference in your videography skills. A work of art. The grizzly with 5 cubs, the bison, the swan....you are becoming more artistic even though you may not care. I appreciate this gift. Even appreciated the irony of the annoying people at the end. LOL Thank you , Stan Mills for this visual gift.....from Canada.

[@RebelByNature]

Truly National Geographic level work.

[@StanMills]

Thank you very much for your nice comment. Bear jams are always entertaining because most of these people have come a long way to see a bear, and when they do, they throw all caution to the wind because they are so excited.

[@heather-cz8yk]

@@StanMills Hate to say it but I remember the excitement as a child for my family to drive to the dump to see the bears pick over the garbage. My family and I always read many books on wildlife. Watching the bears, there was often one person, always a man, who would get out of his car and attempt to hand feed the bears in front of all of the spectators is their cars. Of course I would never participate in this type of a scene now, but it was a different time then. We were thrilled to see the bears, as you stated.

[@VintageLPs]

@@heather-cz8yk I, too, remember this exact scene in Yellowstone back in the 1950’s. People were feeding bears and a bear cub walked up to my 5 yr. old brother and bit his closed hand thinking it held a treat. My brother wasn’t hurt and it made our vacation a memorable one. Watching the bears eating at the park dump was like watching a movie!

[@karenallred9182]

We actually saw her around 6:30-7am from the roadside, she was way up on the mountain side. Your video is the best one I’ve seen, thank you for sharing.

[@billybe12]

Wonderful Stan!! I noticed a little Runt in the 5some... Be Strong my little Warrior! 🧸

[@jjarm]

I didn’t know it was possible for a momma bear to be able to support so many cubs. Be very surprised if they all survive, they’ll need some serious good fortune these next few weeks and months. What a great catch Stan. Stay safe.

[@PKShader]

She's an old pro. Her strategy is to raise her cubs in the vicinity of cars and people to keep the big boards from killing them

[@arianebolt1575]

@@PKShader You may be thinking of 399. This seems to be an unknown bear.

[@kimmiesoo]

You're right. This bear is not collared.

[@bellati2006]

Stan? You are the man! I always enjoy all of the videos that you put up of your hikes. We have been to Yellowstone a handful of times and each adventure is a unique and an amazing adventure and experience. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@marsack7]

Beautiful sight but be careful, friend. Thanks for all the hikes you take us on. Blessings for you and your family.

[@chinooksilver]

My positivity about the world is restored. Thank you!

[@mariaslibeck9984]

Loved seeing all the new babies! Thanks Stan, for showing us this beautiful country and its inhabitants!!

[@jonEmontana]

That’s awesome you got to video that large family of bruins!

[@loribreford8621]

Stan, I hope this experience and video go viral. I have watched you for 5+ years. I am so excited for you for so many more people to enjoy your videos like I do.

[@Spiralsmile]

It did I just got a news alert for it!

[@pursleydl2009]

Those little cubs trailing behind their Mom is a treasure to behold. You brought it all to those of us that are not able to make such a trip. Thank you ❤

[@wellslj]

Thank you for showing us Yellowstone through your lens. Beautiful!

[@randomvintagefilm273]

I read about another attack this week. The man did everything right, and the bear still attacked him. I am stunned at how fast they can run. This bear looked far enough away from him but she was SO fast.

[@jonnes__4657]

In my country we have a lot of attacks by islamic immigrants with knifes. Last week a police-man died in Mannheim (Germany) because of a knife attack. Humans are MUCH MORE dangerous than all bears together. .

[@billsmith3250]

Everything right including pepper spraying the bear? Where was this attack. If it's the one I saw a while back, I would not say he did everything right. But it seems like that one was more than a week ago.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

@billsmith3250 he DID pepper spray the bear. Read the story. The bear grabbed it and it exploded in its mouth

[@donnazawacki3449]

He did not have time to use pepper spray, the bear bit into the can while attacking him.

[@billsmith3250]

@@donnazawacki3449 "Everything right would be either having the pepper spray easy to grab if you'll have time to grab it. If you're in say thick vegetation, or some other location where you might not see a nearby bear, then you should have the canister in your hand with the safety off. It is true that even under those circumstances, there is a very small chance that the bear will hit you before you can spray it. But it's a tiny chance. However, if you don't know much about bears, then the chances go up some. There are signs you should be aware of that could give you additional warning if you know them. I strongly suggest that people read Tim Rubberts' book Hiking With Grizzlies. There you can find out if someone did everything right. A lot of people attach the canister to the back of their pack, or worse, inside. You'll never have time to get to it if a grizzly attacks. But the bear might bite the canister. All that said, I don't know which bear attack this was. The one I was remembering turned out to be a black bear attack where the black bear actually ate the person after killing them. It was maybe a month ago. It's getting to be that your chances are sometimes better if a grizzly attacks you. Black bears seem to be getting less predictable by the year. At least grizzlies tend to be very predictable and rarely crazy like black bears have been in recent years.

[@teachloveinspire561]

Five cubs...that's a lot for that mama bear to take care of! Amazing video! Glad you are safe!

[@Bellavlogs237]

I agree!! Momma bear must be tired!

[@danabarnhardt1575]

She and the babies are their own Bear Jam. Absolutely beautiful, thanks for this gift.

[@teresabarbao8593]

That was the most beautiful scenery yet this year . Loved seeing all the babies now are born! Those cubs are the cutest , keeping close to there mama bear. You had a great hike good job . Love that area in Yellowstone. You captured some great views . Thank you Stan.

[@captainpuppet3756]

the awareness and education about safe encounters with these animals this channels provides is absolutely invaluable and makes this one of the best channels on youtube. thank you STAN!

[@old4004]

Thanks as always, Stan, for keeping us current on Yellowstone wildlife seen in areas that most of us don't get to travel.

[@knails5638]

What a WONDERFUL video. I can't imagine the hours of editing. Thank you for posting this, so enjoyable!!!

[@joelcrook3220]

Wow! 5 cubs! Thats crazy. Never have seen that. Congrats on that find!

[@scottoconnor811]

Thanks Stan. As a Big Sky local I really appreciate your videos.

[@longwildernesswalks]

Dude. That’s amazing!!! What a find. Thank you for sharing buddy!

[@bondirimski]

Such a contrast - Stan coming across a grizzly with 5 cubs, and a thousand folk in the black bear jam on his return trip! I wondered watching this if raising all 5 cubs to independence is near impossible - anyone know the answer? And for the two commentators who suggested Stan ditch the bear spray and get a gun I suggest you watch a few more of his videos before assuming you have a greater insight - his approach is respect and quiet retreat. Also side note - I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to take a gun in to US national parks.

[@greatguy68901]

No. It's legal to carry a gun, but illegal to discharge.

[@StanMills]

Very good point. It is very depressing.

[@406dn7]

Wow, what a rare sight. I took my niece horseback riding on Specimen Ridge three years ago. We might have seen the cubs sire. We saw a large male grizzly at the head of Agate Creek. It was a wonderful day.

[@StanMills]

Really, that is great. This is actually the first grizzly I have seen around in this open area here.

[@michaelnevens2458]

Wow, Stan! I just knew you’d have successful viewing when you mentioned doing Specimen Ridge. Had a gut feeling you’d see this family. What a blessing to have viewed them away from the hordes in Lamar.

[@StanMills]

But this is not the mom with 3 cubs. I didn't realize there were 5 cubs until I looked at the video. Every thing was happening fast so I didn't have time to count the cubs.

[@ralphascariot105]

Beautiful video, thank you Stan your professionalism again keep on hiking safely God Bless

[@melanieworthington4110]

Beautiful filming . Thanks for sharing.

[@CooksterzLittlefield]

So happy for you, in seeing the Quintet of Coy! Incredible walk and trail views! 🐻⁵

[@TravelWithTashaKay-ej2gk]

Love this video. Thanks for sharing. I took a quick trip to Grand Teton a few days ago, but only saw one bear this time. Now I'm ready to go back to Yellowstone. Hopefully in a couple weeks.

[@wwisaacson4807]

We live near Glacier in 1979-82. We once saw a cinnamon black bear cub surrounded by about 5 or so tourists about 5 feet from it. In those years there were 5 people killed by grizzly bears. In every case the people were not following the guidelines.

[@geniemedford9200]

Oh my! 5? That's a big deal. What is the most, do you think? Thanks Stan...watching while I drink my morning coffee. Always a treat.

[@StanMills]

These 5 are the most I ever seen.

[@geniemedford9200]

Awesome! ​@@StanMills

[@Plasma_god]

I always love watching your videos

[@brendasandefur2971]

Loved,seeing and watching. Isn't she an amazing Bear mother🙏💗 Beautiful country side. Free and peaceful animals🙏💕 The sound of the wind in the mic,busts my ears😜

[@dmack6198]

Thank God for that beautiful country and thank you Stan for sharing with us!

[@victoria9810]

Thank you. This was really enjoyable. I can imagine how serene your walks through the park would feel. Thanks for sharing. I really felt a part of your morning.

[@warrenthomas4687]

The Yellowstone ecosystem always amazes. All 5 appear very healthy. Mom's doin a great job. Another great hike Stan. One you or us will not soon forget.

[@suzie427]

Thank you sharing these videos…amazing!

[@renybovy4111]

Thanks for sharing your video Stan ! Love it

[@deew7014]

What a beautiful world of nature God gave to us ❤ love getting a glimpse of it from your videos 🙏 and yes I was told many years ago when hiking never touch or move anything, leave it as you find it

[@billybob-ro6qf]

Don't see the big deal about moving things around. People always say it's nature leave it be, but human beings are ALSO part of nature & it's in our nature to want to explore & touch things!

[@StanMills]

I suggest leaving things in their natural place so that other people can experience the natural beauty of Yellowstone that is undisturbed by people as much as possible. I also suggest not stepping on grizzly tracks on a trail so that other people can have the experience of seeing them.

[@kinda1dren]

Thank you Stan for your respect for Yellowstone, your love of wildlife and the beauty there is perfection to me 💙🩵💙

[@michaelgutkoski6584]

Amazing - thanks for showing a very rare phenomenon.

[@lisalawrence8049]

I so love your videos! Thanks for sharing your discovery of the mother Grizzly with her 5 babies!

[@sdw2is]

Best of yours I have seen.

[@CathySterkel]

you are the best! thanks for showing us the beautiful area and animals!

[@ellp152]

Way to go Stan!!!!!! Your video of the beer cubs made the news!!! P.s I’m way over in upstate New York! ❤❤

[@gregggonsalves218]

Words can not express what you have given all of us. Thank you, Sir.

[@M.C.Blackwell]

What Beautiful land. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video and the mama and 5 babies

[@Rescueluv]

Your view of nature and respect for all is special to witness Stan may others follow your way of being with nature

[@stevenbrown6277]

Thank you for posting this.

[@giovanna722]

All I can think of is how the grass and waters smell. Intoxicating natural scents! Thank you for posting this.

[@amybear2941]

Beautiful place , scenery, mountains, animals. I've never seen a Mamma bear have 5 cubs . So awesome that you photographed them . Love your peaceful hikes . I'd be afraid hiking there.

[@truthseeker5890]

You are one lucky man! Yes, you have experience in Yellowstone but just keep in mind, grizzlies usually circle around humans and attack, especially a mother with cubs. It may be fun for humans but animals don't think about "fun." You were very lucky on this one!

[@michaelgutkoski6584]

Not true. Grizzlies almost always avoid humans. Stan was hiking in his usual respective manner and he was fine.

[@RebelByNature]

​@@michaelgutkoski6584 I think you miss read what he said. I don't believe, based on how I read it, that he said bears usually attack. I took his meaning that when\if they attack, they often circle around and do it that way. How true that actually is, I am not sure, but not the first time I have heard that. I would also note that outcome does not really validate the decision making that went into it. Yes, he, thankfully, was 'fine', but that does not mean it was a sound decision any more than crossing a road with your eyes shut and hands over ears is justified by the fact that one safely made it to the other side of the road.

[@michaelgutkoski6584]

@@RebelByNature I agree that a bear may circle - generally out of curiosity rather than malice. Regarding your analogy - poor choice.

[@RebelByNature]

@@michaelgutkoski6584 Making too many assumptions about a bear's intentions - poor choice. Yes, my analogy was intentionally exaggerated for illustrative purposes. The idea that one has engaged in risky, reckless, behavior and nothing bad happened, therefore, the decision to do it was sound - poor logic.

[@StanMills]

Maybe this video will help your perceptions. Thanks for your comments. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5bCf2irlpt4i5Isi=jGM1nanZjRY50Cjw

[@janicericciuti9035]

Nice show thanks Stan.

[@timmartin4952]

Thank you for sharing! You gave us amazing and rare footage! For some reason I want to go to Yellowstone again, lol.

[@Backcountryhiker]

Another great video! Thanks for posting, Stan.

[@imyourfarmer9215]

There was a sow in Wisconsin named "The Wisconsin Super Sow". She's the only documented sow to have 5 cubs....twice. there is a great research paper written about her.

[@ericcomp7032]

2:18 very healthy world class sow grizzly w/ cubs

[@annferricher3931]

Your videos are awesome! This is one place I hope to see!! Thank you!

[@musingwithreba9667]

Wow, 5 cubs! How does she feed them all? 😳 We get bear jams, and moose jams, like that in Algonquin Park in Ontario Canada.

[@glengarbera7367]

The landscape is so amazingly beautiful.

[@tammy1126]

Wow! Great video and thanks for sharing! Yellowstone is on my bucket list.

[@lindamoses3697]

❤ Thanks for bringing me back to Yellowstone. There used to be do many bears on the roadside when I was s kid. That shows jow old I am.

[@alvidasgladstein7830]

That’s awesome trail you picked to share with us- fantastic views. Obviously I hate driving through YellowStone because of everyday congestions

[@robinraddatz982]

I’d heard about the 5 cubs. I didn’t know you were the one who had filmed them. Would have been frightening for me. I’m glad you got to experience that.

[@GCWERK]

That is , once again, beautiful and amazing. I imagine that bear family is going to be a handful in the years to come!

[@HannaloreJohnson]

Bear and 5 cubs, that was so beautiful!! About 15 yrs ago, I watched a bear with 4 cubs cross the road just after backing out of my driveway! We looked at each other, I put it in park and waited, as they were not wanting to cross with her!! I thought it was only the 2 at first, then seen a 3rd, and finally the 4th little one popped out of the trees and caught up!! I so wished right away I was a cell phone user that day!! Such a wonderful site it was!! And to this day, I have a young bear now for a month that has been trash picking once a week, like clockwork, on trash night!! I understand, have looked at each other, I say, nope,nope, and pick it up in morning, before the truck gets here!!

[@patriciaserdahl5577]

Absolutely stunning views n wildlife the mama Grizzly bear n 5 cubs was a real treat thank you for sharing

[@ellp152]

Oh the little cubs! I know it’s nature but I really hope all the babies make it!! 🤞❤

[@pioneercynthia1]

This delightful cadre of cubs is sure to make Bear 399 even more record-breaking than she already was!

[@anitagarrison6916]

This is absolutely incredible. The scenery itself is spectacular and then you add in the wildlife and we have a wonderous look at nature. 13:44 A bear jam 😂. Same thing happens at Cades Cove in the Smokey in Tennessee.

[@birddogfarms6981]

Great videography, Stan....!

[@MymusicW630]

How adorable. Two, can be rambunctious and a handful! Can you imagine 5! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻Mama, has her hands full, I mean, 🐾 😆❤

[@marcellacrane6545]

What a treat to see that Mama grizzly and 5 cubs! She outdid Mama 399 in 2020 with her 4 cubs in GTNP! I was just in GTNP and Yellowstone the last week of May, and it was so green, a lot of new life. I hope people will respect the wildlife. People are just nuts behaving inappropriately around bears, buffalo and elk. Good for you that you know and can get off the main roads and really see the beauty of this park.

[@claudial.8789]

That poor momma, whenever there's two cubs they're always little rascals. I can only imagine with 5 😂..this is amazing footage, thanks for sharing.

[@havsumora]

Beautiful! I wish the 5 baby bears all the luck❤

[@bcbumble]

I enjoyed seeing all the animals and the surrounding environment they inhabit. Great hike!

[@mrsjamessmom9044]

My goodness, It's a bear train! What a thing to behold. She's got to be tired and cranky too. lol Thank you for sharing this moment.

[@MrRyguy2112]

She was definitely keeping an eye on you. Staying a good distance away was a good idea.

[@billsmith3250]

Did she adopt one or two of them? Serious question. Any obvious indication that one or two might not be hers?

[@buckeyeranger6438]

Wonderful photography as always. ☕️😎 as always safe travels

[@GettingToHeaven]

Pretty exciting stuff! Thanks for the video and experience!

[@RebelByNature]

Not that many people do the kind of hiking you do, so thanks for sharing the excellent video and story telling. You always hike alone as far as I can tell from the handful of videos I have seen. What are your thoughts on this? Also, curious if any of the grizzly encounters you have had given you grave concern about how it might end.

[@StanMills]

90% of the time I solo hike. Been doing it a large part of my life. I have never had a bad experience with grizzly bears or black bears so I can only say things from my own experiences and knowledge obtained from them. I know a lot of people are against solo hiking and but have never done it. They seem to be the very people handing out advice on something they know nothing about. All I am doing is going out and exploring God's beautiful creation. Thank you for your comments and have a wonderful day.

[@jonnes__4657]

🗽 5 cubs.....WOW Stan is very lucky, to have this experience. 👌 .

[@karinabrampt1556]

That must be an amazing experience. A wonderful Mamma bear if she can keep them alive and well fed past their first twelve months of life. Way to go yet!

[@Sirshackleton]

Five! Poor momma definitely has a her work cut out for her. 🙏🏻

[@edwardfrawley4345]

Breath taking video! Thanks for sharing it

[@wildzenventures]

What an amazing b sighting! Glad all went well and you’re safe. Nature is beautiful.

[@FreedomofSpeech865]

The urge to grab some of those antlers. Watching mama bear keep checking you makes me understand that expression, she never stopped checking for possible danger

[@bessiemann7468]

Thank you for sharing this A grizzly with 5 cubs that's something to see

[@dictator9849]

Hi Stan, as you know I love your videos and I know it’s wrong to envy, but I come pretty close when I see these!! Quick question, if you have the time - I’m not sure of the Yellowstone regulations, so if you wanted could you just pitch camp anywhere along these trails and spend a night or more? If so, how safe would you feel (with grizzlies afoot)this time of the year or late summer/fall doing just that?

[@StanMills]

You cannot camp anywhere. You have to get a backcountry camping permit and camp in a specific campsite. I have always felt good and sleep well camping in Yellowstone. If you camp outside of the Yellowstone boundary, then you can basically camp anywhere without a permit.

[@scottclark7836]

Amazing, I love your channel

[@patrickbelvin7625]

The beauty of this place is indescribable.

[@sharonjones7674]

Really appreciate your video, especially the gentle reminders to leave nature to nature, ie the antlers. First time I had ever heard the term "bear jam". I realize it's so incredibly cool to see wildlife where wildlife lives but I do find it sad that most people are clueless on how to respect the animals. Not only for their safety but for the safety and long life of the animals they've come to see. Happy trails. 🙏🌷