Grand Teton – Syndication Server

Can you spot the moose blending into the Grand Teton landscape?

A hiking guide who was leading a tour recently in Grand Teton National Park snapped a photo of a moose that isn’t hiding but might be difficult for some to spot. Can you spot the moose in Douglas Scott’s image? (Hint, it’s not the distant object …

A hiking guide who was leading a tour recently in Grand Teton National Park snapped a photo of a moose that isn’t hiding but might be difficult for some to spot.

Can you spot the moose in Douglas Scott’s image? (Hint, it’s not the distant object atop the ridge; that’s a radio/cell tower.)

Scott, who guides in Grand Teton and nearby Yellowstone National Park, told FTW Outdoors that he spotted the moose after pulling over on Highway 89 near the National Elk Refuge.

“I saw the moose immediately, as we had been on the lookout for wildlife in Grand Teton National Park where we had just been watching the sunrise,” said Scott, whose excursions can be booked via The Outdoor Society. “Moose are somewhat common in the area and I had felt slightly frustrated that we had failed to see one up until this point.”

Scott acknowledged that the moose was not in typical moose habitat: near water or nearby meadows.

“The picture was taken at 8 a.m. and while we enjoyed the sighting, the cars driving to and from Jackson from the Tetons didn’t seem to notice the lone moose wandering the hillside, which says more about how well it blended in,” Scott said.

Of the “unique” location of the moose, Scott explained:

“Most moose sightings tend to be when they are along waterways or by willows and other plants. This one was just on the move as we saw it, taking advantage of some exposed plants as it wandered elsewhere.”

The moose in Scott’s image is not sporting antlers, so it does not display the classic moose profile. The animal is circled in the image posted below.

Bison, moose provide restroom humor at Yellowstone, Grand Teton

Footage showing a moose strolling past a restroom in Grand Teton National Park is a reminder that large animal encounters can occur just about anywhere.

A guide on Friday shared footage of a moose strolling just inches from a restroom in Grant Teton National Park and asked his Instagram followers: “Can you imagine walking out of this bathroom at this moment?”

Bo Welden was leading an excursion for Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures and his footage helps to illustrate that large animals can materialize just about anywhere.

Welden stated, “Turns out there are many bathrooms in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks BUT you might have to wait to get out of the car until a HUGE bull moose walks past first.”

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A post shared by Bo Welden | Wildlife Guide (@bo_knows_outside_)

The clip is reminiscent of a more dramatic (embarrassing?) situation that occurred in Yellowstone in July. In that case, the critter was a massive bison and the man hoping to exit the restroom smartly chose to hold up inside.

Click here to view that footage and note the amusing reaction from tourists in the parking lot, including a child who observes, “The guy is peeking out.”

Both clips show that interesting animal encounters sometimes occur where you least expect them to occur.

–Image is a video screenshot

Man cited after landing helicopter to picnic in Grand Teton NP

A pilot has been cited after an unauthorized helicopter landing on a lake shore in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. He had hoped to picnic with a companion.

A pilot has been cited after an unauthorized landing on a lake shore in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

Peter Smith, owner of West Elk Air in Gunnison, Colo., landed the aircraft at Moran Bay on Jackson Lake on June 24. He and a companion were picnicking when they were greeted by rangers.

The park stated in a news release that Smith had violated FAA regulations and was charged with two misdemeanors that carry fines up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.

ALSO: Damaging thunderstorm slams Yellowstone; ‘Like a hurricane’

The park elaborated: “The unauthorized landing of helicopters is prohibited on the lands and waters within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in order to protect wildlife and other natural resources and to preserve the visitor experience.”

Four months earlier, Smith was cited for flying an airplane at an unsafe altitude in Gunnison National Park. He was fined $530.

His court date for the Grand Teton National Park case is scheduled for August.

Grand Teton launches probe after bison calf is harassed in park

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is asking the public for help in identifying two men who were photographed harassing a bison calf.

A park news release states that the men were spotted approaching and touching the baby bison Sunday at about 1 p.m.

The news release contains the following advisory:

“If you were in the Elk Ranch Flats area on the afternoon of June 4, and have information that could help in this investigation, or if you know who these individuals are (pictured), please call the park Tip Line 307-739-3367. If you see any harassment of wildlife happening in the park, you may also call the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 to report the incident.”

Grand Teton National Park is hoping somebody can ID these men.

Park regulations require tourists to remain at least 25 yards from bison.

The same rule is in effect in Yellowstone National Park, just to the north, where more than 5,000 bison reside.

ALSO: Yellowstone guide saves motorist from momma grizzly bear’s wrath

Bison give birth to calves early each spring. They’re commonly referred to as “red dogs” because their coats are reddish in the first several weeks of their lives.

Approaching or touching bison is considered harassment. Grand Teton National Park explained:

“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring. In this case, fortunately, the calf was successfully reunited with its herd, but often these interactions result in euthanizing the animal. Approaching wildlife can drastically affect their well-being and survival.”

–Top image showing a “red dog” bison is courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Watch: Moose sighting brings Grand Teton tourist to tears

Footage has surfaced showing a woman crying tears of joy after spotting her first wild moose in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

Who else becomes emotional after seeing their favorite critter for the first time in a national park?

The accompanying footage shows Caitlyn Sheamus crying tears of joy after spotting her first wild moose in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

“It was on my bucket list,” she explained to FTW Outdoors.

The footage, shared Friday by National Parks Guide, was captured last May as Sheamus and her boyfriend drove from their campground toward Jackson. (Below is the original footage.)

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A post shared by caitysheamus (@caitysheamus)

“What did you see?” her boyfriend asks while documenting her reaction.

“I saw a moose,” she answers between sobs.

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Some viewers observed a bit of themselves in the footage.

“When he sees a bison and when I see an eagle,” reads one comment, in reference to that couple’s reactions produced by those iconic critters.

“Bears,” reads another.

“I love this so much,” reads yet another.

Sheamus said she and her boyfriend, Steve, had driven from Michigan to explore Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park for the first time.

Both parks teem with wild animals, large and small, and visitors often keep mental checklists of critters they hope to see.

While it might be rare to cry after spotting a precious animal, it’s quite common for iconic critter sightings to stir emotions.

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

Grand Teton partially closed for goat-shooting operation

Portions of Grand Teton National Park are closed this week as animal experts attempt to kill invasive mountain goats.

Portions of Grand Teton National Park are closed this week as animal experts attempt to kill invasive mountain goats to help a struggling population of native bighorn sheep.

The operation will be carried out by aerial gun crews operating under contract. A second phase, if required later this winter or during the fall, could involve volunteer ground hunters.

A vast closed area includes the north and west slopes of the iconic Cathedral Group, which includes the tallest peaks of the Teton Range.

Mountain goat image via Wikimedia Commons

The operation is expected to end Thursday, barring weather delays.

Denise Germann, park spokeswoman, said in a statement: “We’re trying to be efficient and effective — so doing this as fast as possible in the most efficient way — and we believe that the aerial operations does that.”

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reported that reconnaissance flights were to be carried out Sunday. Shooting operations were set to begin Monday.

It was not clear how many mountain goats are scheduled to be removed during this phase.

“This will be our initial action, and we’ll see how it goes,” Germann said. “It’s a very unique situation for Grand Teton National Park.”

The Teton Range is home to about 100 native bighorn sheep. It’s one of the most isolated herds in Wyoming and its existence was described as precarious even before mountain goats became a threat.

According to CBS Denver, the mountain goats are descendants of animals introduced outside the park in the 1960s. Their population in the Teton Range has grown from 10-15 animals seven years ago to perhaps more than 100 animals.

Mountain goats compete with bighorn sheep for a limited food supply and threaten sheep with disease.

The park has stated that unless the problem is addressed quickly, goat numbers will grow to an unmanageable number.

“Without swift and active management, the mountain goat population is expected to continue to grow and expand its distribution within the park,” the park stated in an environmental assessment draft. “The mountain goat population is currently at a size where complete removal is achievable.

“In a short time, however, the growth rate of this population suggests that complete removal in the near future may become unattainable.”

–Images are via Pete Thomas and Wikimedia Commons. Graphic showing the closed area is courtesy of the National Park Service