Select the search type
 
  • Site
  • Web
Search
You are here:   Articles

Feature Articles

Current Articles | Archives | Search

Yellowstone Tragedy
On the Trail with Mark Kayser
Share |
|
:: 7 Comments

I blogged about the angry bison in Yellowstone last week and this morning, very early this morning, an angry bear rampaged through a remote campsite near the northeast corner of Yellowstone. A Michigan man was killed and two others wounded. Unlike the bison attack, which was from people simply provoking an attack, the grizzly had a mission. How do they know this? They caught the bear returning to the site of the kill.

From recent reports it appears as if the attack wasn't random and in fact the sow grizzly was actually targeting the campground in predatory fashion. The sow also had three cubs and after DNA evidence is confirmed the sow will be killed with the fate of the cubs uncertain.

Initial research indicates the campers followed food storage rules and nothing was apparent except the fact the bear was attacking to feed. I could get up on my pedestal and rant and rave about how we need to be hunting grizzlies and putting the fear of God and guns into them..., but I won't.

You take a risk every time you hit the woods whether it is to hunt whitetails or brown bears. You could fall from a treestand or get caught in a wild lightning storm. Grizzlies in the West are just another hazard in the game of life. You face similar hazards and dangers every time you climb into your car, take a plane trip or even walk down a city street.

The attack was tragic and my heart goes out to the victims and their families, but it's just one of the dangers we face on the road of life.

That said, I'd love to hunt a big grizzly bear in my home state. I can't wait for the opportunity to do a little culling.

 

The horse trailer doubles as a great camper and it's bearproof...right Mark?


 

Comments
comment By CBOutfitting @ Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:09 PM
This is a tragedy on both sides of the coin in Yellowstone, the humans and the bears. Having lived in Alaska I have first hand experiences with the wild bears in the wilderness. This is a product of what one chances when enjoying all that is wild in this great country of ours and Canada. This seems to be a freakish event as was the attacks in Denali National Park a few years ago, which occured within the parks main entrance. Take every precaution, pay attention and have some pepper spray handy when you go afoot in these wild places. People in NJ have more of a problem with black bears taking over their space and it took several years of close calls, over 2100 in the last year, before hunting was approved by the state. We need to reevaluate the bear situation all over the U.S. and take appropriate steps to ensure populations of bears are kept in check through either relocation or harvesting. Good Luck and our prayers in TX are with all that have been touched by this tragedy.

comment By phiedcavage @ Thursday, July 29, 2010 7:19 PM
I think the big question is how, and I stress how!! Do they determine what was going through the bears mind at the time of the attack! The bear has no comprehension of human intelligence , maybe she was protecting the cubs, or maybe it was like a shark attack where it mistakes a human on a surf board for a seal . Don't get me wrong this a great tragady and my thoughts and prayers go out to the people involved, but we will probably never know the true reason for the attack unless maybe the sow was rabbid or had a chemical imbalance that maybe they would find in tests.

comment By GOOB @ Friday, July 30, 2010 7:45 AM
This is a tragedy, but instead of keep lowering bear population we should keep the spread of people in check. I am a hunter and believe that hunting is the best way to keep animal over population at bay, but sometimes I think we get a little carried away.

comment By AZsparrow @ Friday, July 30, 2010 9:52 AM
We don't have Grizzlies, but around here we've been told that if a Bear rips into your tent at night, assume he's after you and not just snooping around camp as normal, and to best be prepared. I for one keep my .44 handy right next to me in case... that goes for the "two legged" kind of visitor as well if you know what I mean.
Very sad for all, but nature isn't always what we expect I guess.

comment By ron2565 @ Friday, July 30, 2010 3:13 PM
Grizzlies have not been hunted for so many year's and they have lost there fear of humans's in their territory. They are so used to having people in close proximity to them. As I was watching the news and the park officials stating that the campers had done all the proper camp site do's and don'ts while in bear country they were not sure why the bear's would come into the camp. How about because it is an easy meal. It is lot easier to take down a sleeping camper then a running elk or mule deer. Park officials would never suggest this as it would put a big damper on tent camping in the park and tourist in general. If only someone had a gun maybe the outcome would have been different, but then again park wardens would have arrested them

comment By rweichand @ Sunday, August 01, 2010 7:36 PM
I have to agree with ron2565, an individuals ability to defend themselves is something that has become somewhat of a taboo topic among some outdoor enthusiasts. As outdoorsman most of us realize that the great outdoors can be a dangerous place, and the only reason that we are at the top of the food chain is our intelligence. We lack the strength, claws and teeth that a lot of other predators possess. Somewhere along the line we lost sight of the real and present dangers around us and our God given right to protect ourselves and loved ones no matter where we are. My prayers go out to this family.

comment By frogman44 @ Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:39 AM
War kills more humans than bears and other predators. My heart goes out to the family. People must remember that you are in their territory or habitat.

Only registered users may post comments.

 

 

 
 
Footer HR
 
Receive a free preview issue
of North American Hunter
magazine!
Start your 30-Day Free Trial
North American Hunter




10.240.106.79 WEB16