The annual mating season for bison in Yellowstone National Park known as the rut is underway as large herds migrate to the Lamar and Hayden Valleys where bulls engage in physical confrontations to establish dominance and attract females.
The bison rut at Yellowstone National Park offers a unique opportunity to witness the primal behavior and raw power of North America’s largest land mammal but it is also a time when visitors should exercise extra caution as bulls are particularly aggressive and easily aggravated.
Bison have injured more Yellowstone visitors than any other animal and safety guidelines dictate tourists always stay at least 25 yards away from bison. During the rut it is recommended to increase this distance to maintain safety.
Obviously this man is in clear violation of the safety protocols and very nearly suffered the consequences. Remember folks, this is not the time of year to be even remotely near Yellowstone’s bison population.
When bison begin to slowly migrate to the Lamar and Hayden valleys, you know it’s rut season in Yellowstone National Park!
What is rut? The rut, or mating, season is the time of year that bison congregate in large herds to compete, socialize, and eventually breed. Male bison (bulls) fight with each other to prove they are strong mates to the females of the herd. Bulls will mate with multiple females over the course of a single season, however female bison (cows) will mate with only one bull. Rut lasts from mid-July through September.
It’s important to remember that during rut, bulls are on high alert and can get aggravated easily! No matter what time of year, always stay further than 25 yards away from all wildlife, and make sure both tires are over the white lines if you pull off the road to view them.
Yellowstone Bison Personal Safety Guidelines:
Sharing the landscape with animals like bison requires a sense of awareness more than anything else. Bison do not pose a threat to people unless you get too close. Many bison-related injuries in Yellowstone result from people approaching them to take a picture. Use a camera with a telephoto lens to take photos from more than 25 yards away.
Be alert for bison at all times. Look outside before you leave your house. Approach the corners of buildings slowly in case there’s an animal grazing or resting just out of sight. Use a flashlight when walking at night.
- When you encounter bison on foot, give them space: a minimum of 25 yards, and more is recommended. Monitor the bison’s behavior. A bison could be getting ready to charge you if:
- It stops what it’s doing and looks at you or turns to face you.
- It swings its head back and forth while staring at you.
- It paws at the ground or hooks the ground with its horns.
- It makes short bluff charges.
Always have an escape plan by identifying nearby protective cover like trees and cars. If there’s no cover, turn around or wait for the bison to leave the area. Bison don’t like dogs, so keep dogs leashed when bison are in the area (leashes are required in Yellowstone). Finally, bear spray can be effective at deterring an aggressive bison.
