Many Grand Teton National Park visitors come to experience one of the park’s most popular activities, fishing. A day spent fishing at Grand Teton is an amazing way to take in mountain views while hopefully pulling in a cutthroat trout or whitefish but anglers should be aware that bears are active throughout the park and an encounter can happen anytime and anywhere, including while wading through riverbeds.
The following grizzly bear encounter occurred on the banks of a river inside Grand Teton National Park. The fly fisherman kept his cool and managed to pull his cellphone out of his chest pocket to snap a selfie as the grizzly bear leisurely walked past him.
As pointed out by the folks filming from the opposite bank, the fisherman did not appear to have been carrying bear spray at the time of this encounter which has proven to be an effective, non-lethal deterrent capable of stopping aggressive behavior in bears. Bear spray should be only be used as a last resort when encountering an aggressive or charging bear and be carried in a place where it immediately accessible like a belt mounted holster, not inside your pack. Learn more about bear safety at Grand Teton National Park below.
Grand Teton National Park Bear Encounter Guidelines:
If you encounter a bear:
- DO NOT RUN. Bears can easily out run any human. Running may elicit attacks from non-aggressive bears.
- If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly.
- If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back slowly away while talking in an even tone or not at all.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Do not drop your pack – this teaches bears how to obtain human food. Your pack can also protect your body in the case of an attack.
- Do not climb trees – all black bears and some grizzly bears can also climb trees.
The vast majority of bear attacks have occurred when people surprised a bear. In this situation the bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. The bear may be protecting young or defending a carcass.
If a bear charges you:
- DO NOT RUN. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping suddenly.
- Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly back away.
- If you have bear spray this is the time to use it!
- If the bear makes contact with you, drop to the ground and lie flat on your stomach with your legs spread apart slightly and play dead. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.
In rare cases, bears have attacked at night or after stalking people. These attacks are very serious: it may mean the bear sees you as prey. If you are attacked at night or if you feel you have been stalked and attacked as prey, fight back. Use your bear spray, shout, and try to intimidate the bear with a stick or rock. In this type of situation, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey.
