How these grizzlies reacted to me in the very early morning light. - Yellowstone

I was walking right past the first grizzly that was watching me pass at 20 away. I spent a lot of valuable time trying to get my camera to focus in the low light. I started out hiking at 4:45 am and this encounter happens at 5:30 am. Doing everything possible to keep the grizzly bears calm is my top priority. Through all my videos I try to show how I do that. This is the way I do it, but you should do what feels best for you.
Here are some Amazon links to the equipment I use. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Camera 1 - amzn.to/3zmHoVv
Camera 2 - amzn.to/3xsoAUd
Scope - amzn.to/3ziCd8K
Bear spray - amzn.to/3W3teRO
Knife - amzn.to/4eJY3lR

[@robertnevens7831]

Stan....You are Nat Geo of the GYE grizzlies! Excellent as always.

[@ronrash5895]

20 yards! Less than 2 seconds! Cool! Beautiful video! Thank you!!! 🙏

[@sheeeesh_5475]

Such a nice and calming walk , i’d love to do walks like this but i’m deathly scared of bears , I admire your bravery and thoughtfulness in regards to wildlife

[@jonnes__4657]

It is better to live intensively with small dangers than to live boringly. 🤨 .

[@unleashnow226]

@sheeeeesh_5475 I TOTALLY AGREE! I am deathly afraid of bears too. Thankfully, I live in Iowa and can hike etc in all of our surrounding states with little fear of bears around. As much as I’d love to hike in these places, I never would. I’ve seen too many horror stories😜

[@matthewcauthorn9731]

I'm with you about being scared, believe if I was more knowledgeable about bears I wouldn't have so much fear. What a powerful animal.

[@jonnes__4657]

@@unleashnow226 Think in probabilities! It is VERY unlikely, that you ever would see a bear in nature. And most of the time, the bear would run away or is only curious.

[@maymaypooch]

@@unleashnow226that’s why u carry bear spray or firearms

[@pack814]

Beautiful thanks for sharing

[@tammyhollandsworth6783]

😮 oh my… love the beauty of this walk your taking , but not when you see bears.

[@LS-ILJVM]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful scenery and for being brave so we can see these grizzly bears. I love the birds singing.

[@DiFinni]

Beautiful out there. I'll watch and that's about it. Bear country I'll let the bears do their thing. No way would I want to be out there and run into one. All it takes is 1 bear.

[@stevenshima1522]

The songbirds in the background make this so relaxing and peaceful.

[@blyt5046]

I watch a lot of beer videos I watch vicariously through you brave people, because I could never, and the more I watch the more I could never.

[@michelle5936]

So peaceful. I experience the wildlife vicariously through your videos :)

[@bellati2006]

Amazing video! I could watch bears all day long! Thanks for bringing the wild beauty to us Stan!

[@upstny]

Your respect and admiration for these magnificent animals is commendable. Thanks for educating us on how to be in the wild

[@teresabarbao8593]

Wow such beautiful bears! Probably siblings and maybe not could also be mating pair! Sure nice special treat to see them . Love that area just amazing scenery! Thank you Stan enjoyed it great job making this video!!! God bless you

[@geniemedford9200]

😍Another great hike to enjoy! This is my second time to watch it within a 3 week period, having my late am coffee. Thank you, Stan!

[@StanMills]

@@geniemedford9200 I wish the weather was still nice like it was then. It has been really hot with a lot of biting flies out. All the bears are staying in the shade I think. They are hard to find. Thank you for all of your comments.

[@mamascrazyhouse5765]

Just discovered your channel yesterday ,catching up with all of your videos ,fabulous to watch ,I am in Northern Ireland

[@StanMills]

@@mamascrazyhouse5765 Northern Ireland, wow. I don’t think I have ever talked to anyone from Ireland. Thank you very much for leaving a comment and have a great day.

[@vickythatcher]

I love your videos …always such pretty scenery… ❤. But have to ask if you have ever got in a position out there that scared ya… I would be so scared to b out there just knowing there were grizzlies 😂😂

[@StanMills]

@@vickythatcher sometimes after I think about it for awhile.

[@vickythatcher]

U r more brave than me for sure but I can see why u do it.. ❤

[@richardthorne2804]

Absolutely amazing. I love wildlife so much but I’m probably a little more interested in wolves, but they’re probably even more difficult to observe.

[@StanMills]

Actually wolves are probably more easy to observe. I have a Playlist of just wolves on my channel. Thank you for your comments.

[@richardthorne2804]

@@StanMills Thank you. I will have to check it out. I have seen some of your videos with wolves. I just meant I thought it would probably be tougher to walk up on a pack of wolves but if anyone could do it, it would be you. God bless.

[@heatherdawn545]

Wow what an amazing experience! Looks like breakfast was all they cared about and glad it was ! Love your videos! Silence is golden ! I agree sudden noise esp would startle them n noise keeps them from view. Beautiful place n hike . Love seeing the scenery and all the animals esp the grizzly bears! Thanks for sharing

[@Hallnadventure]

Thanks Stan, I learn something from all your posts.

[@jillyelston6145]

Such beautiful birdsong in the early morning, and wonderful scenery. The bears were fascinating, so lovely to watch them. I'm learning so much about Yellowstone through your videos Stan, thank you!

[@elizabethpreviti598]

Good stuff as usual! Incredible photography. Love your thoughtfulness & sensitivity. You never disappoint. Can’t wait to get back to YS👍 Stay safe Stan🙏Blessings Elizabeth & Mike

[@michaelnevens2458]

Another fantastic video Stan. Just a wonderful looking hike in a beautiful area. Looked like a great day!

[@lelandkelley2199]

Fantastic work! Very enjoyable, thanks 😊

[@JL-fs9wh]

Luv what you do! Thank you for making my day.

[@PatsyYork-qm1um]

I have been to Yellowstone at least 4 times. I watch the grizzlies from my vehicle. The same with all wild animals. That is their home I am not an invited guest. I respect their home

[@davidsuch8942]

Good. He prob wants you to stay out of his way, and away from him.

[@shredhiker6209]

Fantastic footage, thanks for sharing!

[@Livingthewild]

Edifying. Thanks, Stan.

[@johneason6540]

Always enjoyable and educational. I hike solo and quiet. It is amazing the animals you car see. Including bears of the close encounter kind. Thanks

[@StanMills]

And how many do I miss. That is what I wonder.

[@sonialeblanc4917]

J'aime vraiment regarder vos vidéos surtout avec ces beaux paysages j'adore regarder les grizzly Merci beaucoup de partagé vos vidéos ET soyez prudent soyez bénis 👌🏻❤️😊🙏🏻

[@stokebailey]

Thanks for informing your viewers how you approach the experience of hiking in grizzly country and coming across a grizzly on your hike. Like you, I think it defeats the purpose of hiking in Yellowstone when the hiker is yelling "Hey bear!" every few seconds on their hike.

[@jeffreysmith4304]

Thanks for Sharing your videos it allows me to Experience Something I otherwise Could not (Ambulatory Challenged) Fortunately Cameras are better at picking up things in low light than our eyes Video was clear

[@gunslinger4203]

Beautiful 🤩! Thanks for sharing!

[@ajadrew]

Superb video, thank you!!

[@jessbishop1081]

Yay you have captions!!🎉❤

[@StanMills]

@@jessbishop1081 wonder why. I didn’t do anything different.

[@jessbishop1081]

@StanMills well either way, I enjoy your videos! I admire what you love to do 🥰

[@jdmather5755]

@@jessbishop1081Yes.

[@robertvose7310]

killer video and thank you sir.

[@kdranchaz3240]

Such amazing creatures. Love seeing them in their natural environment just “being” uninterrupted by Man which makes your videos so much more enjoyable. That said they can turn on a dime and be the ultimate predator where in a National Park one cannot carry a firearm and we have to rely on bear spray and hope the wind is not blowing our way. You definitely have brass balls doing what you do!

[@edj9978]

Actually you can carry a firearm in national parks, not in building though. It is however illegal to discharge a firearm in the park. I guess in a defensive situation I will take my chances with the court system. Still Bear spray should be the first line of defense.

[@birddogfarms6981]

Great job!

[@marianfrances4959]

Thank you👍😎🇨🇦🐻

[@katharinajohn1339]

THANK YOU

[@dbikeguy]

your channel has replaced natgeo for me may ever more viewers make this this your day job sir

[@HorseMoNH]

I love the way you film! Its like I walk there myself. Last week I was in Yellowstone. Finelly I got my husbant to go for a walk. But then we saw a cowboy came around the bend. He was on a horse and had a mule on the lead. He kept on riding back to the bend and thowords. When we looked on the bend we saw a bison attacking the horse and cowboy! He lifted uo the horse a couple of time and the horse (and mule) runned away. The horse was alright but lost his deck, the cowboy his head and the mule all of his package. The bison walked irritated away and then we saw another horse with a cowboy came around the bend! That was a smart horse! Anyway, my husband didn't want to go for a walk after that seing

[@StanMills]

@@HorseMoNH interesting. That’s the best story I’ve heard for a long time.

[@karledman4625]

Thanks for sharing your late spring walk with the lovely background bird music. What was the grizzle feeding on during walk?

[@larryhawkes1347]

Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@chrismccord4475]

Will be there in less than 2 weeks! Can’t wait!

[@StanMills]

I hope you get the chance to explore some Yellowstone trails. Have a great trip. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent.

[@taraday7565]

Incredible

[@robertvose7310]

Dude you rock! Grande Cojones! Jealous of you!

[@Secular-Serenity]

Great video of that female, her head is huge. Do you ever hear them grunt or make sounds? Thank you for this!!!!!

[@StanMills]

only when they are running.

[@shelbyburgey884]

Amazing to watch them eat as they travel to who knows where. So, my guess is they don't use the same bedding area and food plots like deer.

[@burkehollingsworth8585]

I have enjoyed hiking so much more now that I hike alone and not in a hurry! Seeing animals that aren’t alarmed is definitely better than seeing them run away.

[@StanMills]

@@burkehollingsworth8585 I didn’t know that you have been solo hiking. You should start putting hiking videos on your channel. I would like to watch them. Hiking “not in a hurry” has always been the hardest thing for me to do. I always feel like if I don’t see anything here then I will around the next corner, so always in a hurry to get around the next corner. Yet from experience, I also know, if I just sit and not move I also see a lot of wildlife.

[@burkehollingsworth8585]

@@StanMills I feel like I need more camera equipment than my cell phone. Thanks for the encouragement. I am not sure about editing together a video worth watching either.

[@StanMills]

@@burkehollingsworth8585 lots of people use only their phone. And never worry about what people think. You can never please everyone.

[@barbaraberrier8840]

Great view of nature. What is the grizzly eating? Thanks for sharing.

[@StanMills]

That is one of the interesting questions that watching the last half will show. I hope you can watch it on a big enough screen to see the details of what they are eating.

[@alexcika9906]

Man I don't need to tell you this but what if you surprise a Mother with cubs at 20 yards , that would not be good hopefully you are down wind , absolutely stunning footage BTW thanks for sharing be careful out there

[@JimL2883]

I’m in an area (Smokies) where Black Bears live. Wouldn’t the approach be opposite for them? For example, make noise, be loud and “big”. Thanks.

[@richardthorne2804]

Most people believe you should be that way with grizzlies as well. Stan just does it differently but he also is very experienced.

[@lbjones8983]

At the 18:51 mark of the video, are those two elks at the top of the screen above the grizzly ? How far away were they and did they run off? Really enjoyed this adventure.

[@StanMills]

I am surprised you noticed them. I was so concentrating on the bears (and watching behind me) that I didn’t even see them when I was videoing. I would have put them in the video. Like you, I didn’t know they were there until I saw a glimpse of them in this video. I can’t tell for sure if they are elk or deer.

[@MarkAltom]

@@StanMills I noticed them, too. I'm pretty sure they are deer. There are actually three. The one on the right is a buck and the other two are either a doe and fawn or two does. Good eye! I'm surprised they were not more alarmed because they were pretty close to the bear. Thanks for sharing, Stan.

[@sissyensor988]

I saw them as well and wondered why Stan didn't mention them so close to the grizzly!

[@ColoradoGuitarMan]

Thank you thank you for your wonderful insights, be careful man, stay alive! Comparatively speaking it’s easy to understand dogs (canines tend to want to please humans) and cats are the great domestic hunters right under our noses. This man tries to bring some understanding of grizzlies and I applaud his research he is one in a million and his insights are based on this bears behavior not wishful thinking (Timothy Treadwell). Which tends to be anthropomorphic, inserting our logic into descriptions of a bears behavior. The mosquitoes alone will deter most humans from endeavors like this. And you can hear in this video these blood-sucking demons of another world. Studying scat alone leads to meaningful insights. You might not understand grizzlies but it is imperative that humans understand them to save ourselves and our planet. Notice how non-domesticated animals spend their time foraging for their food. These videos by Stan are a gift so use them knowing we cannot survive the destruction of ecosystems around us. We have been gifted these informative videos so use them for preservation of species not for hunting.

[@jonEmontana]

One of my favorite areas! High density in there

[@StanMills]

Just give me the initials of where you think this is.

[@jonEmontana]

@@StanMills honestly, after watching it and seeing the view of Sphinx it’s not the area I thought it was. Farther west than I thought. Same general area but that’s a big area. Great footage as usual Stan.

[@jonEmontana]

@@StanMills been using it since the 80s.

[@DD-fj2ut]

The hiking humor would be to say “There is not much of s source of food for grizzly bears in this area, other then hikers.”

[@mizutx9782]

❤😍

[@robertvose7310]

She is smart...

[@rpeet2000]

Great video as usual- Do you think that bear that was 20yrs away would have had an aggressive stance if you were being loud?

[@StanMills]

No, I think that bear would have run off long before I got there if I was being loud.

[@LindaG858]

They probably know your scent by now…

[@outfitr9703]

Noticed a lot of the trees were limbed up high, seems strange for being way out there???

[@StanMills]

Very good observation. Part of this hike is a couple miles along a dirt road that does not open until July 1st (tomorrow). So it is like a great trail until it opens. The tree trimming is done by our great Forest Service. Even way off of the road. Why do they do that? Let me know if you have an answer. It seems crazy to me.

[@dictator9849]

It’s interesting, we know that Sows with cubs have a healthy natural instinct to protect their cubs that are constantly under siege from male bears, wolves, coyotes and more. Also, a surprised bear in close contact will quickly go into fight or flight. In those rare circumstances that a Grizzly or even more rare black bear has a predatory attack on a human, it really has a ton to do with their immediate environment. I mean it’s obvious in a healthy managed environment they want nothing to do with us. It tells me that aside from the normal precautions to avoid mentioned just prior, desperation plays a huge role in predatory attacks on humans. We really must be aware of the conditions such as extreme drought, overcrowding, and such before we step into their part of the world.

[@StanMills]

@@dictator9849 That is very good information. Thanks

[@suepeterson5675]

Greetings Stan - what type of tracking device do you carry on your body so your family can track you on these hikes ?

[@StanMills]

I carry an inReach Explorer Plus

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Wondering if the female knew you were there and if not if you or the camera made a sudden noise, if she hadnt detected you, if that would have spooked into an attack

[@barbaraberrier8840]

What is the bear eating at the end of video as it's walking around?

[@Lotuslaful]

How do you know their gender?

[@StanMills]

The first bear look rather large so my best guess was male. Then the second smaller bear appears so now I am thinking male/female mating pair because this is mating season. But after watching my video, I am not so sure. They are kinda acting like siblings. So as you can see, there is a lot of best guessing based on experience. I could be wrong a lot. But what I say on a video is what I am thinking at the time.

[@martinclennon4640]

@StanMills how bad are the mosquitoes? it seems like I have to wait until late July for the mosquitoes to die down.

[@StanMills]

This day the wind was blowing so no problem. But they are starting to come out now.

[@marccalvert6040]

I’m amazed at how well the sage brush hides them

[@StanMills]

Yes. And if you are on level ground you really can’t see them.

[@NCflyfishingguides]

Stan what type Gaiters do you wear.

[@StanMills]

@@NCflyfishingguides something that goes high up to keep out water, bugs, stickers, and mud.

[@janicericciuti9035]

[@robertvose7310]

They both heard and saw u...

[@judahtribe7]

Do you have anything besides bear spray to protect yourself

[@bourbon_sketcher]

Experience 😉

[@stevenbrown6277]

The closest I ever got to a grizzly bear was early in the morning just a few miles into the park from Silver Gate, MT. It was across the road. I pulled over and stopped my car and the bear stood up on its hind legs to look and sniff at me for a long time. It was huge. I rolled my window down a bit so my corgi dog could sniff at it so she would know when I said 'bear'. I will always treasure that memory. A year later I was walking in a parking area near Mt. Washburn and my corgi started a low growl. We had just gotten back into the car when a big black bear came waddling up to right where we had been. I referred to my corgi as 'The Bear Scout' after that.

[@Hoireabard]

For my safety I am curious to know your opinion. A lot of “experts” advocate loudly saying stuff like “hey bear” when walking down trails. This is supposed to alert bears so they don’t attack after being surprised by a silent walker. You seem to think that’s not a good idea. Since I have very limited experience I would like to know if it is good to just talk softly as you do in the videos or should one remain completely silent?

[@StanMills]

First, you should do what feels best for you. Second, have you ever seen an “expert” solo hiking grizzly country? I have been solo hiking in grizzly country a large part of my life and have a large body of work to show it. The way I do it for myself, I have learned totally from experience (not books written by “experts”). The funny thing is that the people that have no experience solo hiking and backpacking grizzly country, are the very people that want to hand out advice! What I am showing is what I do and I don’t hand out advice. I just would like people to consider that this is the grizzlies only home, and to treat them and their home respectfully. We don’t have to only think of ourselves and be obnoxious human bings everywhere we go. Thanks for your comments.

[@Hoireabard]

@@StanMills Thank you. That sounds good to me. I am from Virginia and i have very little experience in grizzly country. When I went hiking in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park I felt silly saying “hey bear” and I pretty much walked like you. Next time I go I will remember what I learned on your channel. Thanks for the beautiful work.

[@swainscheps]

@@HoireabardI urge you to watch Stan’s library of videos. He has a distinct approach to solo hiking in grizzly country. (Not claiming to speak for him of course but I will try and paraphrase) - walking with bear bells and making lots of noise *might* help you avoid that fabled worst case scenario - where you turn a blind corner on a trail and find yourself face to face with a grizzly mom and cubs…but other than that, hiking like that is counterproductive. Making noise while hiking might notify an animal 200 yds away from you of your presence, but it is also likely to agitate them - you’ll put bears and other wildlife on red alert, spook them, stress them out, etc. So not only will you not see them, if you do, they’ll be stressed. To be clear - Stan says he brings 2 cans of bear spray - hanging from his vest and at the ready - because he knows that worst case scenario is always a possibility - but in decades of solo hikes he’s never used them. Stan says to walk softly, use your senses, look, listen, treat their home with respect and you’ll be rewarded. (Having said all that - the guy is like Tonto in terms of his ability to read clues in the landscape to locate bears - it’s very rare that he spots a bear that he didn’t suspect was in the area based on tracks/digs/terrain etc) And as he says frequently: statistically you’re in more danger in a car, driving the loop at Yellowstone than you are when you’re hiking.

[@YanDaOne_QC]

Quebecer here, It must suck to live in grizzly bear country. It ruins the experience of being in the woods by imposing a permanent danger. Here there's no such thing as a risk of being attacked by an animal.People say there's black bears but I've never seen one nor heard about someone that had an encounter. Skunks and wasps are my biggest concern when I'm in nature loll 😂

[@StanMills]

The fact that grizzly bears are all around is everything. It is very hard for me to camp or hike anywhere else. This is the most amazing and safest place in the world. I am living in the Lord’s beautiful creation. You can do it too.

[@crisprtalk6963]

just a matter of time.

[@StanMills]

I am almost 70. Been doing this a large part of my life. So “just a matter of time” for what?

[@crisprtalk6963]

@@StanMills Karl Wallenda did his routine most of his life too.

[@jonnes__4657]

🗽If you respect the grizzly as the boss in the wilderness, it will usually respect you too... because you show no aggression. So why would the much stronger grizzly attack you? Most of the time, an attack by a bear is a misunderstanding caused by incorrect human behavior. .

[@shaemas1537]

Thought leaving them be supported a healthy population better. Why should they react to you? Just curious

[@StanMills]

Kinda the point of the video.

[@adventurebythemile]

I think you may be accustomed to being around grizzly’s and know their reactions but I think for anyone being quiet and starting a grizzly is a bad idea. The reaction from startling them is they may attack seeing a human as a threat. It is better to be noisy and get them out of the way if you are hiking rather that sneaking up on them. I think being safe is more impoimportant than a picture for someone not accustomed to being around them. There are A LOT of idiots in this world that think they can just walk up to wild animals and pet them and feed them. It happens every year someone is attacked by a wild animal because of stupidity. So telling people to be quiet while out hiking is wrong for most people out in the wild areas like you are. They are not equipped with knowledge if confronted with wildlife.

[@StanMills]

I always say to do what feels right for you. This is what I am doing. What I am doing is based on years of solo hiking in grizzly country and what I have learned. It is about respecting the wildlife and their only home. Maybe there is a respectful, peaceful way to enjoy their home without being a loud, noisy, obnoxious human that only thinks about themselves and could care less about upsetting the wildlife. How would you feel if you were having a quiet meal with your family and someone barges in the front door yelling and making all kinds of disturbing noise. How would you react? It is the same way in the grizzlies home. People just can’t understand that.

[@danielkinsman1964]

Going into a grizzly bears territory is dumb. That's asking for trouble

[@Jasonrcsd]

That's a litle hard to do if you enjoy the mountains of Montana and Wyoming.

[@danielkinsman1964]

@@Jasonrcsd Never dare death to come get you because it will

[@Jasonrcsd]

@@danielkinsman1964 Ha! People dare death everyday in rush hour traffic. lol

[@timba1868]

@@danielkinsman1964Maybe you should stay in the city.

[@danielkinsman1964]

@@timba1868 Being in the city is better than being eaten

[@teresabarbao8593]

Wow such beautiful bears! Probably siblings and maybe not could also be mating pair! Sure nice special treat to see them . Love that area just amazing scenery! Thank you Stan enjoyed it great job making this video!!! God bless you