You are a man after my own heart. At 64 I get far more out of my hikes than I used to. I love to saunter and absorb the beauty. I feel sorry for all those who only go for the destination, then a selfie and on to the next destination. God's creation has so much more to offer as you explained so well. A big thumbs up Stan!!
Stan- Every time I look at one of your videos, it's like a mini-vacation. Thanks for your tireless energy, kind consideration of the viewer's curiosity and though I've been to Yellowstone many times and love the closeness to nature, I never tire of its beauty, mystery and adventure
The most greatest first year baby Cubs 3 , to see them is amazing what a patient Mama Bear. Enjoying your hike , spotting wildlife is a great advantage , to be taking your time slowly, nice tip always feels good to watch the video ,and see the wild life and bear signs , also moose are so fun to see very good video, thank you!
Hi Stan, I love Yellowstone (this year was my first trip to the park) and I came across your channel when searching for Yellowstone videos. And I am very glad that I did because now I get to see Yellowstone National Park and the greater Yellowstone eco system more closely thanks to your beautiful videos!! Also like your attitude when hiking in the backcountry and the respect you show to the animals and the nature!! I want to get into backpacking and doing day hikes more frequently in Yellowstone backcountry but the thought of grizzlies, black bears and other wildlife scares me a little but watching your videos has a very calming effect!! Thank you for the videos and please keep more coming!! Appreciate you sharing it with others :)
Shweta, thank you very much for your nice comment and encouraging words. Know I want to encourage you to do the hiking that you want to do. The bear are the reason to hike in Yellowstone. Just give them a lot of respect and use common sense and wisdom. You may also want to try some backcountry camping. You will be fine and have a great experience.
Stan, Thank you for your advice! Will definitely give it a try from 2019! Also, please keep sharing your great videos! It’s really nice to see Yellowstone and it’s amazing wildlife in all seasons thanks to your videos!
I enjoy your videos a lot. I'm disabled and unable to walk long distances. So I will live vicariously thru you. How long have you been hiking Yellowstone and do you live near the park? Have you ever had to climb a tree?
Thanks Stan for your great videos. I'm wondering about something you said. I've always heard to avoid a bear encounter, one should make a lot of noise, talk, wear bear bells (yeah, I've heard the joke). I'm guessing you're advice is to increase the odds of a bear sighting by being quiet, going slow. Does that also increase the risk of surprising a bear and a possible attack?
I like to say that energy is wasted on the youth and wisdom is wasted on the elderly. I like to go slow and take in everything that is around me. I enjoy the sights , sounds , smells and all of it, I started that type of hiking/backpacking after three cardiac arrests and an implanted defibrillator/pacer. That was 2 months before my 50th birthday. Now at 75 it's still the same speed for me and style of hiking. It's not the distance I can go but what I can learn , see and enjoy in the distance that I go. Basically it's the go slow and smell the roses type of hiking. Food for thought ... Remember the Turtle beat the Rabbit in that race between them. lol.
Hi Stan another great video 👍 I am curious you say in order to spot bear people should move quietly and slowly which makes sence but in the sage and tall grass what chance there is that you could spooke one that may be surprised by you and attack you in fear.... like mama bear resting with her cubs ..... thank you.
Martina, very good question. My answer will probably go against what you normally hear but it is what I have learned from experience. The human voice is very frightening to bear and causes an immediate reaction even when they don't know where you are or where the voice is coming from. If you are in their path after reacting to your voice, watch out, you got trouble coming your way! If they see you, smell you, or hear you (NOT you voice), then they have a calm reaction and have time to evaluate what it is that they detect and will make a calm decision to move away. You see this all the time in my videos with cubs. I have even been on carcasses with multiple grizzly very close by watching the carcass, and me, and never bothered me in any way (you can see this in my videos that are out there showing when I leave the carcass the grizzly come back to it almost immediately). I like to use the analogy, "How would you like someone entering your home screaming, yelling, and making all kinds of noise?" Wouldn't that scare you into reacting! It is their home, respect them by being quiet and don't approach them after you see them. They will respect you. I also camp in the backcountry all the time with grizzly and black bear all around. They of course know I am there camping and sleeping but they are not going to bother me. I know the park service says that "any bear that enters your camp at night has bad intentions". I disagree, I get up in the morning and have bear tracks around my camp but I know that bear does not have 'bad intentions'. It is just curious. All the while I am snoring away in a deep sleep. Thank you for your comments.
Stan, thank you for taking time to answer my question I really appreciate it. I agree with you 100% ..... your analogy about entering their territory with loud voice makes complete sence.....I thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Keep the videos coming 🐻🐻🐻
I have hunted elk in this area for 30 years. The elk population is just a remnant of the past. I am not sure of the Grizzly's impact but the wolves in this area have decimated the elk.
I haven't had the opportunity to test this yet, but I have taken to carrying with me one of those high lumen flashlights that can start a campfire with its heat., not only as a light source and survival tool but also as a possible bear deterrent. I have looked into the beam of the flashlight during daylight from about 10 feet away and it falls just short of looking directly into the sun. Like I said, I haven't had the opportunity to test it so I still also carry 2 cans of bear spray. I value your opinion. What do you think? Could a high lumen flashlight possibly deter a bear or could it more possibly lead to aggression?
Billy, I would not do that. It may damage the bears eyesight. I have been out in the backcountry most of my life and I have been using bear spray ever since it was first sold seems like about 25 years ago and I have never had to use it, not even once. Take bear spray and use good common sense when your out there and you will be fine. You are in much more danger on the highway driving to the trailhead then you are hiking in bear county. Thanks for your comment.
@@StanMills I thought it might be a more humane approach towards discouraging a bear, certainly less aggressive than having pepper spray blasted in its face, but I must admit it never dawned on me that it could possibly damage the bear's vision. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.
Stan you're really addicted to adrenaline kicks from grizzly menace. I know it feels great when you made it alive once again. It's the same addiction as dangerous sports like mountaineering. It's a healthy addiction though, as long as you win the chase game.
Your videos are extraordinarily beautiful. I am concerned about you having a close encounter with a grisly: what about if you cannot, for whatever reason, to spray the beast before the animal gets you ? You'd be killed. You are very, very brave, or you have a death wish. To see one of those creatures so powerful, so fast and deadly charging at you must be terrifying, you could get paralysed by fear, incapable to use the bear spray
Anon Anon ...wouldn't tracking every bears location, take away from the parks purpose? The bears live there! We have no more right to follow them than they have to follow us. That's what zoos are for! See what YNP Service thinks of your idea!
