Bison – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Bison stampede past Yellowstone tourists on bridge; ‘Super scary’

A woman has shared video footage showing dozens of bison charging past her group at close quarters on a bridge in Yellowstone National Park.

A woman has shared video footage showing dozens of bison charging past her at close quarters as she stood on a bridge in Yellowstone National Park.

Jessica Metts wrote Sunday on Facebook that the “super scary” encounter occurred on her group’s first day in the park on Sept. 9. They were walking on the bridge after a hike and became “cut off from the car” as the bison began to charge.

“The running of the bulls, Yellowstone style,” Metts wrote. “Climbed behind the guardrail till the herd passed.”

She later discovered that bison routinely cross the bridge near Tower-Roosevelt, in the northern portion of the park, and cautioned others not to walk on the bridge.

Her post was widely viewed on the Yellowstone Insiders Hub group Facebook page.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Watch: Grizzly bear on snow shows off remarkably ‘huge feet’

Among the comments:

–“That’s definitely a little more up close and personal than I would ever want to be to a running herd of bison!”

–”Road or not it’s their land so a Buffalo has to do what a Buffalo will do, so get out of the way and let them pass.”

–”That would be scary standing there by that guard rail. Ya never know when one is going to veer off and attack. So glad one didn’t. Incredible video.”

Yellowstone guidelines mandate that tourists remain 25 yards from bison when outside their vehicles, but those guidelines are often ignored.

In Metts’ case they could not have been followed as the bison moved quickly across the bridge, forcing her to take cover and watch them pass.

To those saying she should not have been standing so close to the bison, Metts wrote, “It was super scary and my only remaining escape was an 8’ drop [off the bridge] and then down the canyon.”

Metts did not respond to a request by FTW Outdoors for more details.

–Image courtesy of Jessica Metts/Facebook

Watch: Bison herd surrounds ‘flipped out’ Yellowstone tourists

The Broyles of Tennessee were visiting Yellowstone National Park where they got an unexpected welcome on the park’s entrance road.

A herd of bison, estimated to number around 150, sauntered down the highway stopping traffic and engulfing the Broyles’ SUV, all captured on video.

The couple was amazed as they watched the bison pass, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience and continuously saying “This is crazy.”

Also on FTW Outdoors: Bison stampede in Yellowstone rocks bridge in ‘scary’ encounter (video)

“I wonder if [other] people are as flipped out as we are,” Mrs. Broyles commented in the video.

The encounter lasted three minutes, and equally impressed viewers of the video. Among the comments on YouTube:

“Such a beautiful sight to see.”

“Thanks for sharing…this was great.”

“I loved your commentary!”

Bison stampede in Yellowstone rocks bridge in ‘scary’ encounter

Tourists capture video of a bison herd stampeding toward them on a bridge in Yellowstone National Park, and feel the shaking effects.

While crossing a bridge over the Lamar River in Yellowstone National Park, Johnnie Havard and his wife noticed a huge cloud of dust in the distance created by a stampeding herd of bison.

A moment later, things turned scary.

“We expected the herd to cross the road at the end of the bridge, but to our surprise, they turned onto the bridge and continued running directly toward our car,” Havard, who shot the video Oct. 3, explained to ViralHog.

“The bridge was shaking and swaying, which can be seen by noting the movement of my car’s mirror. The experience was rather scary since we were not at all sure that the bison would not run into our car, but as can be seen in the video, they veered to the right lane as they approached the car.”

Havard can be heard in the video saying, “The whole bridge is rocking,” to which his wife replies, “I know.”

You can also clearly hear the clacking of the bison’s hoofs on the highway.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Galloping bison herd in Yellowstone has tourists running for cover

Havard aptly summed up the encounter at the end of the video, saying “Well, that was cool.”

Indeed.

Photo courtesy of ViralHog.

Careless motorists are killing bison in Grand Teton National Park

At least five bison have been struck and killed by vehicles during the past two weeks in Grand Teton National Park, prompting officials to issue a plea to motorists.

“Seeing wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the many unique opportunities that make Grand Teton National Park a special, awe-inspiring place,” the Wyoming park stated Thursday in a news release. “Motorists can do their part to protect and preserve these animals by slowing down and using caution while driving.”

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Watch as ‘clueless’ hikers startle Yellowstone wolf pack

In addition to the five bison, an elk, a coyote, a pronghorn and a wolf pup have died since mid-October as a result of vehicle strikes.

Bison and other animals are migrating as winter approaches and can appear unexpectedly on roadways. A 45-mph speed limit is supposed to keep motorists and wildlife safe.

“Drivers should use caution and slow down, especially at dawn, dusk, and during the night when visibility is reduced,” the park stated, explaining that even 2,000-pound bison are difficult to spot at night.

Between 75 and 100 large animals are struck by vehicles annually inside Grand Teton National Park.

–Generic bison image is courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Galloping bison herd in Yellowstone has tourists running for cover

With a herd of bison coming toward them in Yellowstone National Park, two tourists caught by surprise make a mad dash to safety, as seen in video footage.

With a herd of bison galloping toward them in Yellowstone National Park, two tourists caught by surprise made a mad dash over a bridge in search of safety while another tourist captured the moment in video.

Kyleen Olson and her family were driving toward the bridge when they noticed the couple walking back over the bridge to their car. At the same time, they also noticed a cloud of dust rising from the trees. Suddenly, a herd of bison veered onto the roadway, forcing the couple to turn around and run for cover.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Yellowstone visitor suffers burns in hot spring trying to rescue dog

“They were nervous for sure, and jumped next to the bridge,” Olson told USA Today/For The Win Outdoors.

In the video, you can see the couple taking cover at the end of the bridge, as the bison veer off the road.

“The bison wanted nothing to do with them, they just wanted to cross the bridge,” Olson said. “I wasn’t scared. My daughter was at first since the bison were running right toward our car. They ran right next to us up the hill. It was exciting and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Olson added, “The couple was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Photo courtesy of ViralHog.

[listicle id=1140194]

Yellowstone motorists in awe as bison sends rival airborne

The National Park Service has shared footage showing a 2,000-pound bison ramming another bison with such force that its equally massive rival was briefly sent airborne.

The National Park Service has shared footage showing a 2,000-pound bison ramming another bison and briefly sending its rival airborne.

“Durin’ matin’ season, male bison can be mighty aggressive, though all bison ‘n other wildlife can be dangerous and give you a heave!” the park service wrote Sunday on Instagram. “Remember to always keep yer distance — 25 yards from bison ‘n elk; 100 yards from all other wildlife.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by National Park Service (@nationalparkservice)

In the footage, captured in Yellowstone National Park in August 2020, the dominant bison plows into its rival with technique that’d make any NFL lineman envious.

The clash of titans occurred during mating season, or the rut, as motorists watched from both sides of the highway. Viewers will note that two calves are quick to scamper out of the way.

Yellowstone is home to about 4,700 bison. Mating occurs from late July through August. Calves are born the following April or May.

Most tourists regard bison as docile critters, but bison can run in bursts of 30 mph and are surprisingly agile. Tourists are wise to afford them a wide berth.

Watch: Yellowstone bison rescue calf from wolves on the attack

Guests on a Yellowstone National Park nature tour Saturday witnessed a dramatic predation attempt by wolves on a bison calf that escaped thanks to its larger herd mates.

The accompanying footage, featured on Facebook by Yellowstone Wolf Tracker, shows wolves from the Junction Butte Pack stalking and sprinting after a bison calf that exhibits remarkable speed and agility.

The pace is so frenetic that at one point the smaller bison is nearly trampled by adult bison as they maneuver in an attempt to fend off the wolves. Ultimately, the bison herd tightens ranks and the wolves have little choice but to abandon the hunt.

Yellowstone Wolf Tracker wrote: “We had an exciting morning of wolf watching in Yellowstone today as several members of the Junction Butte Pack tried to take down a bison calf. After the adults ran them off they gave up the chase and went back to the rest of the pack.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle Holihan (@mtnmichelle)

The footage was captured by Yellowstone Wolf Tracker guide Michelle Holihan and we’ve included her Instagram post showing a shorter version of the chase.

Yellowstone is home to nearly 100 wolves, which prey on a variety of animals, including elk, deer, and bison. They’re most active at dawn and dusk.

The Junction Butte Pack resides in the northern portion of the park.

–Image courtesy of Michelle Holihan

[listicle id=1056708]

Yellowstone reveals number of large animals struck by vehicles

Motorists in Yellowstone National Park were involved in 241 known collisions with large mammals such as bison, elk, and bears during the past five years.

While that might sound alarming, consider that millions of visitors drove on park roads during that period.

The numbers were provided to FTW Outdoors this week in response to inquiries regarding a recent nighttime collision involving a large SUV and a bison.

Wrote Morgan Warthin of the park’s Public Affairs Office:

“So far in 2021, there have been more than 1.6 million recreation visits to the park and two known vehicle collisions with bison. In 2020, there were 3.8 million recreation visits and 14 known vehicle collisions with bison.

Bison steps onto a Yellowstone road. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

“There have been 241 known vehicle collisions with large mammals in the park over the last five years.”

More generally, traffic-related accidents are the most common cause of injury and death inside Yellowstone National Park, which encourages visitors to follow these safety guidelines:

• Drive cautiously and watch for animals. The park has hazards on the road you are not used to at home, like 2,000-pound bison! Other road hazards include soft shoulders, potholes and frost heaves.

• Use extra caution at night. Animal fur absorbs light, making them very difficult to see on roads at night even while using bright headlights. Slow down, especially on curves in the road, when venturing into the park during dark.

• Drowsy? Take a break. Driving while drowsy significantly increases the risk of car accidents, and with 450 miles of roads in the park, long days behind the wheel are common. Be sure to get adequate sleep before getting behind the wheel and take turns driving with other legal drivers in your group to protect yourself and others.

• Never park in the road or block traffic. If you need to stop or pull over for any reason, use a pullout and ensure all four vehicle tires are to the right of the white line. Stay with your vehicle if you’re stopped in a wildlife jam.

• Follow the speed limit. The speed limit in Yellowstone is 45 mph unless posted otherwise.

• Pack your patience. Winding roads and traffic often make drive times much longer than expected.

• Know before you go. For details on road closures and construction in the park, check out our park roads page.

–Top image showing a grizzly bear is courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

SUV collides with Yellowstone bison, night driving at issue

A recent collision involving a bison and a large SUV in Yellowstone National Park should serve as a reminder to park visitors to drive extra carefully at night.

The top image, captured two weeks ago by Dianna Borgmier, shows extensive damage to a Nissan Armada hours after it struck a bison near Yellowstone Lake at about 10:30 p.m.

The bison, Borgmier explained, did not survive.

“This is why you don’t need to drive after dark,” she wrote on the Yellowstone Visitor Facebook page. “Bison hit, killed, I know of four bison in the last few days. Way to many! The road is theirs.”

Yellowstone bison crosses road during the day. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Borgmier told For The Win Outdoors that the vehicle was towed to a repair shop run by her husband at the Fishing Bridge service area. “He has a lot of pictures from the last four years of bison hits in the park,” Borgmier said.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Sea lions surf giant waves in ‘awesome’ display caught on video

Borgmier did not know if anyone inside the vehicle suffered injuries.

A park spokesman had not, at the time of this post, provided details about the incident or answered a request for an estimate of how many bison are struck by vehicles annually inside the park.

More than 100 comments accompany the Yellowstone Visitor Facebook page, some pertaining to close calls tourists have experienced, and others suggesting that too many motorists speed through the uncrowded park at night.

“At night it is near impossible to see a bison on the road,” one comment reads.

Yellowstone is home to more than 4,500 bison. It’s the only location in the lower 48 states that has had a free-ranging bison population since prehistoric times.

The iconic critters are revered by visitors, in part, because of their omnipresence. But also because of their colossal appearance and casual, sometimes goofy demeanor as they roam the landscape.

They are the heaviest land animals in North America and can weigh 2,000 pounds, but they’re no match for a fast-moving, 5,000-pound SUV.

The animals are easy to spot during the day, but night drivers sometimes do not see them until the animals are illuminated in their headlamps.

Night driving, while not recommended, is fairly common as motorists sometimes use the park as a thoroughfare, or simply get caught after dark while exploring.

The maximum speed limit in Yellowstone National Park is 45 mph.

Bison seriously injures hiker in Yellowstone National Park

A female hiker sustained “significant injuries” after being gored by a bison Sunday in Yellowstone National Park.

A female hiker sustained “significant injuries” during a bison attack late Sunday in Yellowstone National Park.

The 30-year-old Michigan woman, who was hiking with a companion on the Storm Point Trail overlooking Yellowstone Lake, was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Yellowstone Public Affairs Officer Linda Veress said the park does not know what might have triggered the attack and does not possess photos or video footage of the encounter. Veress did not confirm reports that the woman was gored by the bison.

The park issued a plea for tourists to be more careful around the iconic animals, which appear docile but can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and are unpredictable and surprisingly quick.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: PHOTOS: Astonished birders spot bear in nest ‘four stories’ high

“Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild,” the park stated. “When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

“If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.”

The Jackson News and Guide described the incident as “Yellowstone’s first bison goring” of 2021.