Ask any Yellowstone National Park ranger and they will tell you “all of Yellowstone is bear country.” From highly trafficked areas like that surrounding Old Faithful to remote backcountry trails, everywhere you go there is the potential of encountering bears.
There are plenty of precautions you can take to limit your risk of experiencing a negative encounter with one of Yellowstone’s approximately 150–200 grizzly bears including hiking during daylight hours, hiking in groups and making plenty of noise to give them forewarning of your presence but its important to know what to if a grizzly becomes aggressive during an encounter.
Grizzly bears are capable of sprinting at 40mph over short distances, so running in not an option. Instead Yellowstone highly recommends hikers carry bear spray in a quick draw holster for emergency situations as it is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears.
The following video was taken in the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park’s Absaroka Mountains (sub-range of The Rocky Mountains) as a pair of hikers came upon a protective mother grizzly and her cubs. Separated from the grizzlies by a knoll and not wanting to surprise them, the pair headed for an elevated ridgeline to let their presence be known from a safe distance while yelling to let the bears know they were in the vicinity. With bear spray in hand the hikers were advancing uphill when the mother grizzly charged.
Thankfully the mother grizzly’s charge was defensive in nature and the grizzlies quickly left the scene after a brief moment of chaos. While bear spray is an effective deterrent in situations like this, knowing how to avoid conflicts before they happen is something all Yellowstone visitors should be versed in before entering the park. Learn more about bear safety at Yellowstone National Park below:
Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
All of Yellowstone is bear country, from the trails in the park’s backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.
- Give bears space. Keep at least 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. We recommend each person carry one can of bear spray in a readily accessible location like a quick-draw holster (not stowed away in your backpack).
- Hike in groups and make noise. Since 1970,91% of the people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with only one hiking partner. Only 9% of the people injured by bears were in groups of three or more people. While hiking on a trail, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears of your presence. Learn more about backcountry safety.
- Respect closures. Observe all closures and restrictions in active bear management areas.
- Never feed bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and will be killed.
- Stay with your stuff. Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes, as bears learn new food sources quickly.
- If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away. We want to discourage this behavior for the bears’ safety and yours.
Important Notes about Bear Spray
- Do not use bear spray like insect repellent. It does not work as a deterrent when applied to people or equipment.
- Make sure your bear spray is EPA-approved and check the expiration date on the can.
- Bear spray can explode if it reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Don’t store it in the passenger compartment of vehicles or near any heat sources.