yellowstone

midwest · **yellowstone -** 05-16-2008, 06:00 PM

Went into Yellowstone for some back country skiing. We were skinning up the backside of a ridge and saw this. I was glad she didn't think LUNCH! I guess we were fairly safe. There are no tracks leading out from the hollow so their den must be right there and it was the first day out so she was a bit groggy and tired.

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Jim · 05-16-2008, 07:41 PM

You didn't go up and pet him

midwest · 05-17-2008, 08:31 PM

No, I was not feeling very brave that day.

But on a good day in the summer when there's no snow to slow me down I like to slap them with a trout and yell, "tag, you're it!"

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cmyksteve · 05-19-2008, 03:27 AM

Maybe a telephoto lens would come in handy on your hikes. :-)

...great photo Midwest.

I Googled Yellowstone Grizzly Bear and came up with this-
Grizzly Bear Recovery- Yellowstone

Quote:

On March 22, 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced that the Yellowstone Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of grizzly bears is a recovered population no longer meeting the ESA’s definition of threatened or endangered. This DPS has increased from estimates as low as 136 individuals when listed in 1975 to more than 500 animals as of 2006.

midwest · 05-20-2008, 06:53 PM

Steve,

Since the listing of the grizzly and thus not being able to hunt them any longer the population has greatly increased everywhere and more so in the park. There has been talk of a limited hunting season again. There are many encounters now in the wild and not so wild areas. There have been quite a few hunter maulings, especially during archery season when the bears are real active and very agressive putting on winter fat. I've seen more than my share so far but only with this scene did I feel comfortable taking the time to get a pic. The buggers run 45 mph and can cover 50 ft in just a couple of seconds when they want to. That's just a bit faster than I can go.

I have a tele lens but usually keep the normal one on unless I'm in the open. When I took that pic the other guys already had em turned downhill and were leaving for a short detour. When it comes to bear you don't have to be able to out-run the bear. You just have to be faster than the slowest one in the party.

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