Grizzly Bears everywhere and trying to avoid them - Yellowstone Ecosystem

[@jksmountaindream]

Who needs all the walking for cardio when you can just watch bears and have the heart pumping???

[@paulalim1476]

You weren’t the only one!

[@beach3girl459]

Well, I just exhaled the breath I had been holding for ten minutes. WOW!!!

[@old4004]

It's always a comforting feeling to know that if you posted the video, then you must have made it home safely, Stan. Thanks for taking us with you (at a distance).

[@calgal7828]

Exactly….I worry about Stan sometimes.

[@reeldealfly7987]

You have a great respect for nature. That’s key in bear country. I never get sick of watching your videos. Keep them coming. I’m two years behind. They are all so amazing.

[@StanMills]

Thank you for your comment. There are some streams in this area where I have never seen a person fishing. But I can see all kinds of fish in the stream. It is way in the backcountry where only people on horseback go occasionally. I see the horse tracks. Hope you get a chance to go backcountry fishing this year.

[@reeldealfly7987]

Thank you for the heads up on the fishing. I just watched your Fly Fishing video too. I think it was Heart lake. It looked pristine. Your friends were catching lots of cutthroat. The problem with hiking into those deep back country lakes is that you have to carry all your equipment. Plus my knees are not the greatest right now. If I have surgery, then I can hike forever. But we have fished at Slough Creek. It’s never relaxing with one eye behind us all the time. You are so brave!! I just can’t get over it. You should take up fly fishing. Thanks again!

[@rickgonzalez6345]

Excellent video, I really liked how you explain the danger and your strategy how you got yourself out of it. At least for me the more you share your thought process the more enjoyable and valuable your videos are. Thanks for another great video Stan!!

[@robertwaid3579]

Great Footage, nice Dialogue, & explanation of the Hiking Route too detour & Avoiding any Sudden surprise, with Bad Encounters avoided. By the looks of Foliage n Trees the Wind was very Slight, if not Still. Thank You for Sharing. Wyoming, Robert, 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸👍👍👀👀🤔🤔🕊️🐿️🙏🙏🙏

[@bassingbasics6621]

No KZbinr I’d rather wake up to, thanks Stan 🤟

[@teresabarbao8593]

Beautiful day seeing big boy grizzly , amazing huge bear. My favorite mama bear a new Cubs of the year twins . Really nice to be able to watch them eating , running enjoying there morning . Pretty wildflowers an scenery. Thank you Stan great job!!!

[@nmikali3848]

Stunning views, the baby bears on their hind legs was adorable but i kept thinking omg what if mama gets a whiff of you😬! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@HannahBMann]

This dialogue is very informative; glad you're safe and were able to make the most of a dangerous situation. Thanks for the insight, Stan.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

Your artwork is STELLAR ❤️

[@jolenecreech7648]

Whoa, Stan…These are the exact situations I worry about for you. What if you aren’t able to spot the bears before they spot you? Holy moly! Thanks 😊 for sharing.

[@healinglifecreative6158]

When you come across a bear with nowhere to hide you feel so small. When I ran into them I never had my bear spray with me. Thank you for this beautiful footage.

[@andreabritz4572]

Well that was exciting. Glad everyone stayed safe.

[@ajadrew]

We don't have Grizzly Bears in England so I'd feel slightly uncomfortable to put it mildly! 😊 👍

[@waynefox4835]

Stan sure knows how to avoid trouble with bears. Recently spent time hiking, in Yellowstone and Glacier, and did not encounter any bears beyond tracks. That's the way I like it. Fortunately, the bears around Lake Tahoe are all Black Bears and usually not aggressive.

[@colleencarmichael6917]

Surrounded by Grizzlies for sure!! That male bear seemed to be moving pretty fast!! Thanks for explaining how you navigated through everything!! Great video!!

[@suepeterson5675]

This was beautiful but scary. Thank you for sharing .👍👍

[@pawadventures5544]

Super cute seeing the cubs stand up to look around. Good video. 😎👍🏻

[@rachelrage7139]

I so enjoy your videos! We just came back from a trip to Yellowstone and it was an incredible experience. Life changing! And we saw two black bears! Thank you again for sharing.

[@elizabethwhite6364]

This was tense! You have a lot of bear knowledge and a lot of courage taking us out there! Beautiful country! Safe travels to you for sure! Thank you Stan!

[@calgal7828]

I enjoy your videos so much! You are doing what I wish I was doing, but can’t. Thank you Stan. 😎

[@debbiejohnson5610]

That was a fun one. So happy to see bears again, and the wildflowers are amazing this year. Thanks!!

[@WillPalenscar]

Stan this really had my heart beating! Glad you made it safely. They can close so fast.

[@wildzenventures]

Some great footage! Certainly gets the blood pumping 😁

[@schmoonkie]

I've had a few close encounters with grizzlies, including one where a grizzly walked right by my tent at the West Yellowstone KOA. I wouldn't be so brave as to hike by myself in grizzly country as you did. If I did I'd need to wear Depends.

[@desertdog2282]

Got my heart pumping with this video. Stay safe out there.

[@davidjennings6937]

Man that is gutsy. Taking a hell of a chance!!! Nice video!

[@garyag45]

ABSOLUTELY GREAT VIDEO! 😎🇺🇸🧸🐻 you should have 100K subscribers!

[@janied8831]

Amen to that 🙏🤗!!🌈Janie D

[@TrekkerPat]

Wow, this was intense, thanks for taking us along.

[@nancyfromswlouisiana8480]

Great video! You need nerves of steel to do what you do ! We have never been out west to Yellowstone , planning a trip as soon as we retire in the next couple yrs , thanks so much !

[@greggchilds9654]

Holy Cow…, or Holy Griz, in this case!!! Stan, another superb video. Beautiful scenery, and excellent communication. I really like your comments. Your zoom-out was perfect; I would like to see a few more times for you to zoom-out, giving us viewers a better feel for your proximity to the wildlife. Any chance you would do your videos in Ultra HD?

[@kirbyschuller3534]

What is the reason for trying to "sneak" around these bears. I have always been "noisy" whenever I am hiking in Grizzly country. Now I confess, I actually don't want to see a bear, and I have been very successful, with making sure any in the area know I am around so they can move away. Having spotted the sow and cubs, why not make enough noise so that they become aware of your presence. It appeared you were far enough away that you would not have been perceived as an immediate threat and I would have expected to sow to just move off. If your desire for silence was done for some reason other than you just don't want to chase off the wildlife, so as to ruin potential photo opps, I'd sure be interested in hearing what it was. Always looking to add new information into my "bear management" tactics when I am hiking.

[@bassingbasics6621]

There’s two approaches when you’re in bear country. First is to make a lot of noise to let them know you’re there and the other option is to be quiet. I can’t speak for Stan but I can imagine that since he was in an open field with good visibility, he chose the quiet route, however if you’re in thick stuff with less visibility you might want to make some noise to let bears know you’re in the area. But if you can continue without the bears knowing about you, that’s always the best option but of course choose the safest option for your scenario.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

@@bassingbasics6621 but bears have a really, really strong sense of smell, so they may very well be aware of people nearby, right?

[@derbywinner6316]

@@kristiejacobs4854 bears 🐻can smell you 18 miles away 🐻😬

[@carlmoeller56]

My thoughts exactly. I have come across Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone and Alaska. Also, Black Bear in Alaska and Connecticut where I currently reside. The basic rule of thumb is to make noise on the trail, walk in the opposite direction if you know of bear presence and to carry bear spray. The Yellowstone Park Rangers post this on trails and also have a radio station to inform visitors of what to do in case of a bear encounter. They also post signs if they have information of a bear on a trail and advise not to use the trail. Yellowstone allows firearms but forbids one to discharge it. Alaska is a bit different. They give similar advise but also advise one to discharge a firearm only if needed. The best thing to do in this scenario was to stop filming, turn around, get back to his vehicle ASAP and either go to plan B or go home and visit the trail another day. That being said I am heading to AK to fish, but miss the Rockies. Hoping NOT to encounter a bear, especially on its terms.

[@tomphillips3162]

Is this really a question, of coarse he's trying to film wildlife.

[@petermaine]

Stan, when you find a situation "very scary," we mere mortals know we'd be sh***ing in our pants! I love your "close encounters" but don't take unnecessary risks just for our viewing pleasure!

[@larpsim]

So the secret is to summon your inner Tiny Tim and Tip Toe through the Tulips to avoid getting eaten 😎

[@johncarlo2630]

Wow, you actually got my heart racing while watching. Did you ever spot the big male grizzly again? Many thanks Stan

[@e.macdonaldoutdoors7825]

Where to begin? Whether you find enjoyment in the game of stalking and avoiding bears or not (and I know you have been at it for a long time), you do a dangerous disservice to others who may not realize that you've had an "encounter" where the bear realizes you are there and you alert and aggravate the bear. You may think that the bear is always calm and unconcerned afterward, but I don't want to be the hiker behind you who doesn't realize the bear feels pressed by that guy who happened to be out while it was eating and looking for an "encounter". You know there are a lot of bears, so you are obviously looking to be among them. It's a stupid cat-and-mouse game which you rationalize. Others have pointed out that these are dangerous situations, and you have "strategies" to get out of it. You've been lucky.

[@robertstevens8075]

Remember what happened to Timothy Tidwell be careful please

[@1jackvalley580]

Stan, your wildlife art is absolutely beautiful. I've watched many of your wonderful videos and I'm wondering if you ever got yourself into a tough situation where you were so surrounded by grizzlies 🐻 that it was difficult to maneuver your way safely out?

[@StanMills]

Yes, I put out a video about 11 days ago where I had 4 grizzlies and 2 black bears all around me at about the same time. That was a hike I did about 10 years ago.

[@craigrock8444]

Stan please be careful. I dont know you or who you are, but lately it seems people are being found mauled even after emptying the spray can. Be safe

[@marianfrances4959]

It seems? How many cases?

[@craigrock8444]

@@marianfrances4959 only 2 that i recently saw but that was on a video

[@pikiwiki]

Is there anything you can do about the flies? Can you cover up or will they bite through that?

[@marcdaigle7701]

Hi Stan,...great footage ! The grizzlies must know you on a first name bases by now...Be safe!

[@lawrence7065]

I don’t know how you get any miles in dragging your GIANT cohonies around. 😅

[@a.phillips6892]

Oh so beautiful scenery! But what would happen if you just came around a corner or through some trees, and there was a grizzly right there? Has that ever happened to you? That’s what I would be afraid of happening.

[@StanMills]

Yes it has several times. Can’t usually take video because you have to be ready to move away. In fact I had that just happen. I will publish the video tomorrow so that you can see what I do. The video title will be “Way to close to Mother Grizzly “. Thank you for your comments.

[@a.phillips6892]

@@StanMills Oh my gosh, can’t wait to see the video! Thank you for replying💕

[@billw1958]

Amazing content as always Stan, would love to hike with you sometime!! Yellowstone is WILD

[@mybluebelly]

You should have a drone with you to get an eagles eye of your surroundings just to be on the safe side.

[@manuelwebe]

That is pushing the envelope a bit too far. Hope you are safe over there. A bikepacker was recently killed by a grizzly bear in Montana because she went to bed to her tent with food inside. The bear was later shoot & killed. A double tragedy caused by human irresponsability.

[@jolenecreech7648]

There is a missing female backpacker up behind Red Lodge. Wonder if a grizzly got her? They did find her tent. I love Yellowstone and Glacier, but I couldn’t/wouldn’t go off in the backcountry. I would be terrified the whole time! 🐻 😱

[@randallmarsh1187]

To be fair, that lady was camping in a town by the P.O. Most people probably don't feel the need to cache their food camping in town.

[@jolenecreech7648]

Wonder if that was a different article. The one I am referring to is a 23-year old who was hiking up to a 12,O00-foot peak.

[@randallmarsh1187]

@@jolenecreech7648 I was referring to Manuel's comment about the woman having food in the tent caused it.

[@jolenecreech7648]

@@randallmarsh1187 Got it! 👍

[@jayhardin4803]

Do you check the wind direction at all? Make sure she doesn't wind you?

[@shannonswiger8064]

Love your videos, Stan. Just got back from a backpacking trip in Yellowstone. It was a pretty surreal experience. Question for ya... I’ve heard you mention several times that you do not like to make noise. Why is that? Did you have a bad experience? Genuinely curious. I’ve always been told to make noise, so I was a little surprised to hear you say that you don’t in a previous video. I respect what you do and value your opinion, as you have far more experience in grizzly country than I do.

[@StanMills]

Shannon, you should do what works best for you. I don't give advice but sometimes I will talk about what works for me. There is a lot more going into my way of hiking than people realize. But I will try to give you a short explanation. First, I love to explore God's beautiful creation, which includes all of the wildlife. God did not tell me that he created all of those beautiful places but I can't go out there because He placed grizzly bears there. Just the opposite; I can go to all those places and enjoy all of the wildlife, but use His wisdom. This means hiking in total peace and respecting the animals and their home. I have learned over the years that a grizzly bear fears the human voice and it will ALWAYS cause them to react when they hear it. Their reaction could be very dangerous because they may not know the direction the voice came from. I like to use this analogy; If you were in your home having a peaceful quiet meal with your family and someone suddenly breaks in the front door screaming and yelling; how would you react? It is best to never let a grizzly know you are there. If they do become aware of you through sight, smell, or walking sounds, they are in a calm state and can analyze the situation. Then when they calmly determine it is a human they can move off. It is not a reaction of fear, it is a calm decision to move away. Experience helps because you can learn to detect even the smallest signs of grizzly bear activity and you can become very aware of their habitat at the micro level. Most of the bears you see in my videos are in the same places other people are hiking, they just don't know they are there or how to spot them. There are over 700 grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, they are everywhere. The first piece of wisdom is knowing they are everywhere even if you have not seen one. Hiking peacefully also means never taking a firearm. Respect them and they will respect you. Like I said before, this is the way I behave and conduct myself. I am not telling you or anyone else that your way or their way is wrong. This is just my way. Thank you for your comments.

[@shannonswiger8064]

@@StanMills That actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate it. And thank you for sharing these videos with us. I always look forward to them.

[@ddnn974]

Still I think you should carry a lethal firearm just in case…

[@shewdoh5249]

Hey Stan, loving your videos. Which trail was this? Near Lamar Valley?

[@marianfrances4959]

That was tense! 👽🇨🇦

[@brianmooney701]

Stan thank you for the awesome videos. Have you ever been charged by a bear? If so what was the scenario?

[@lindadennis8666]

Can people sign up to go out for these walks with you

[@johnirwin9334]

What area or trails were you hiking in this video?Thanks

[@JohnADuerk]

Well done!

[@longfacemedia1003]

What area of the park is this in? Enjoy your vids!

[@jaysong9843]

Well done!!

[@neco4114]

Trying to be stealthy in grizzly country is very dangerous. It's not the bears that you see, it's the one you don't. Better to put distance between you and the big sow and cubs.

[@philhogan5978]

You really were alarmed with your bear spray in hand ready to deploy! So it seems like the greatest risk was with the mama grizzly with cubs? What are the odds that your presence would make her run away vs attack?

[@lbjones8983]

Stan, have you ever had to use your bear spray?

[@kidhardt]

People have been found being eaten, their empty bear spray can(s) where the encounter occurred. Maybe not worth the risk.

[@Antonya944]

Grizzly bears don't eat people

[@kidhardt]

@@Antonya944 bears will stalk, attack, and eat you while you're still alive, forgot the first 2 steps

[@chuckmorton8823]

Well done

[@allendks45]

You must be the luckiest guy hiking in the park or know someone who is tracking each and every bear there to plan your hikes.....just saying you almost always see bears.

[@Dstew57A]

Looks like smoke in the air...poor animals..wonder how many animals killed or sickened due to the fire smoke

[@rdecarolis1]

Wildfires are a natural occurance in YS. The fires have been occuring for millions of years and are needed for a healthy ecosystem, wildlife knows how to adapt to them.

[@vdpeer]

You carry pepper spray of course.

[@onestgermain]

Breaking a leg on those logs, would spell disaster...stay safe

[@dillonstrucks]

🦆

[@breadandcircus1]

Going and going into grizzly bears territory to hike can be a deadly decision. Do you have a death wish, don't you?. You're tempting fate, sir

[@teresabarbao8593]

It’s not about fear but faith . And trusting god at his word .

[@billriordan1489]

Born and raised in Montana and I won’t hike in Griz country

[@PaulAmdahl]

Nope I'm getting concerned Stan...

[@StanMills]

Wait until you see the next video.

[@playingwithmytrains5440]

@@StanMills I can't wait. The suspense is killing me....

[@teresabarbao8593]

God protects

[@jacobbrewer6265]

what is wrong with this man. only matter of time till we read about him in the paper. still, great videos.

[@markissboi3583]

When i was a lad 🙃 were told walk loud so animals , snakes have time to Vacate away only sneak quitely if filming . Dont know why stan you dont film hr long videos on diff species the Pika etc . all that way hiking for a few 10m vidjas dont seem right . unless your saving them for a rainy day .

[@markissboi3583]

dam if i went for a weekend camping somewhere like there take enough battiers & sd cards etc filming be full when i got home . hrs & hrs trimmed into 1 good vidja