As the sun rose on August 24th, warming the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone park, one man set out to enjoy the beauty and serenity one can only find in this wild, untamed land. Unknown to him, it was his last day on earth.

The body of 59 year old John Wallace was discovered August 26th by 2 hikers less than 10 miles from where another hiker was killed by a female grizzly on July 6th. Apparently he was camping and hiking alone without bear spray right smack in the middle of grizzly country when he was killed. With more than 600 grizzly bears in Yellowstone who are known to frequent the Hayden Valley regularly, I can’t help but wonder what was this man thinking?

Be Smart or Be Mauled

This recent death along the Mary Mountain Trail could have possibly been prevented. No disrespect to the victim or family but Mr. Wallace, a know nature enthusiast and hiker, broke 3 very important rules of thumb when hiking in Yellowstone that may have saved his life.

1. He was alone. You have a better chance of avoiding a grizzly attack when hiking in groups of 3 or more. The more noise you make, the better. A bears hearing will protect you since a bear will avoid human contact when ever possible. Many people going it alone or in pairs are more susceptible to a grizzly attack as they are generally not making a lot of noise. Startling a grizzly in his natural habitat will have deadly consensuses. Venturing too close to a carcass or grizzly food of any kind is viewed as a threat to the bears survival. If you smell a rotting carcass, head the other way. That is HIS food, his personal belongings and he will protect it any way possible.
2. He WAS NOT carrying bear spray. Mr. Wallace was an educated man, he worked in a library, he loved books, but, he was not carrying bear spray? It is always important to be prepared when hiking or camping in grizzly country. Think of it this way, this is the ‘wild wild west’. Your not likely to encounter a bank robber or notorious outlaw but there is a large probability that you may encounter a 200 – 500 pound muscle bound beast with 3 inch claws who neither talks or reasons. Your gun is your bear spray. It is attached to your belt. You are a gunslinger. Your ‘gun’ is loaded and ready to go. Be prepared.
3. Location – The Mary Mountain as well as the Lamar Valley area is known as a grizzly travel and hunting area. In the spring, The Mary Mountains in the Hayden Valley are closed to the public during the awake/feed cycle of the grizzly. The bear emerges from his den and the first thing he wants to do is eat. Dead carcasses from the winter are a valuable source of food to the grizzly March-June. Bears don’t know when humans declare their feeding season is officially over and it is time ‘to move on.’ And a grizzly never knows when your coming for a surprise visit. They haven’t gotten the email that says “stay away from the Mary Mountains today for I will be hiking there. I don’t want to startle you or do anything stupid that may cause my death.” Your friend Bob.

Living in the Cody, Wyoming area, 52 miles east of Yellowstone park I am privy to the grizzly attacks that don’t make national news. Just 3 weeks ago my friends daughter lost her horse to a grizzly. I don’t know any other way to tell you that GRIZZLY BEARS ARE DANGEROUS. They are unpredictable and they will kill you!!

Don’t be foolish! Be prepared. Take responsibility for yourself and your families. Don’t expect that it will never happen to you, because quite simply, It Could! Mr. Wallace didn’t expect it to happen to him. Right?

How Many Close Calls And Deaths Will It Take Until People Wise Up?

In this area, and especially in the Yellowstone area the grizzly bear is at home. This is his domain. He lives, eats and sleeps under the broad night sky. He fishes in the streams. He eats dead things. He goes where he wants and when he wants. It doesn’t matter if we have built roads and designated hiking trails. He will roam where and when he chooses, according to his senses and territory desires. A grizzly bear ‘OWNS’ a territory of up to 500 miles. If he smells a long dead animal, he will venture toward it. It won’t matter if you are walking up the trail or not.

This territory is his backyard, dining room and bedroom. To him, we are the trespassers in his domain. He has not extended us an invitation to visit him, nor does he offer us any hospitality. He WILL avoid us at any cost but he will protect what is his. A grizzly is always searching for food. Always. He is a scavenger by nature and the more dead and rotting, the better.

Feature Read:

Some Bears Kill –

In light of the most recent grizzly bear attack in Yellowstone Park, I would like to once again stress the importance of being prepared and taking precautions when hiking in Yellowstone.

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