Yellowstone Country Safety * Buffalo Selfies *

When visiting Yellowstone Park, don’t crowd the buffalo! It hasn’t gone well for those who have attempted a selfie next to the woolly critters.

Living with the Wildlife

Sheri recently pointed out a YouTube video that was filmed in Wyoming. A visiting snowmobiler was driving on a trail when he came upon a bull moose blocking his path. He began revving his engine and aggressively inching upon the moose in an attempt to force him off the trail. The agitated animal did not flee but charged the snowmobile. As the bull backed off after the first charge, the snowmobiler pulled a pistol and emptied the clip into the animal. He drove past the carcass proudly as he continued his ride.

Spending time in mountain country requires one to learn how to live with the wildlife. Everyone enjoys the site of a moose grazing in the river or a bear crossing a mountain meadow but the wildlife never remain in their designated sites. River otters burrow under porches, moose crop trees in yards until they are unrecognizable and grizzlies scour home sites for any food or garbage left out.

To avoid conflicts between yourself and the wildlife you study their basic habits. You can avoid actions that draw them into a confrontation.

Take bears for example; there are two ways to run into bear problems: baiting or surprising them. If you leave food out, bears will find it. Garbage, bird feeders, a dead fish or a full cooler will all entice bears into a visit. Walking on mountain trails or especially through thick vegetation presents the opportunity to surprise a grizzly. A surprised bear will likely charge to defend his space. Walking cautiously through the mountains and avoiding areas like willows where your vision is severely obstructed always makes sense.

Avoid encroaching on wildlife with young. All new mothers are aggressive. Any animal that seems upset by your presence is telling you to back off. Quickly retreat while not turning away.

Be cautious in the mountains and you will have a great visit in Yellowstone Country.

Easter Weekend and Yellowstone Park

A car commercial that portrayed the Muppets driving to Old Faithful aired recently. Sheri pointed out that it had been better than half a year since we had driven into the Park.  Easter weekend seemed like the appropriate time to visit Yellowstone Park and observe the resurrection of the forest from its winter slumber.  Saturday was sunny and warm, just perfect. The roads were clear as we drove to Madison Junction. Passing a few elk road side, it was nice not to deal with the multitude of vehicles stopped to observe the animals during the summer season. Turning south towards the geyser basin, we saw several bison as they grazed on the newly sprouting grass and basking in the warmth of the sun.

We made the pilgrimage to Old Faithful and sat with the sparse crowd and enjoyed the eruption. That done, it was time for lunch! I had prepared some tuna and thrown it in cooler along with cans of Diet Coke for me and Diet Pepsi for Sheri (Who says that mixed marriages don’t work?). Sheri brought the chips but someone forgot to pack the bread. I am sure it was me, just ask my wife.  We hit up the Snow Lodge store and picked up a four dollar sleeve of Ritz Crackers.

Satisfying our hunger with impromptu finger food, we headed north to Gibbon Falls. Before reaching the falls, we passed a nice herd of bison grazing on a mountainside. One new calf was already visible and several cows were waiting for the relief that comes with calving. The water thundering down the falls was brown with the sediment of the spring runoff.

It was nice being in the park again but the daylight was coming to an end. It was time to get back to the cabin. We are blessed with having such a beautiful slice of nature so close.

By the way, the commercial shows a rock wall between Old Faithful and the car. There is no rock wall around the geyser. They shot the car and rock wall in studio, green screening in Old Faithful. The park is much more enjoyable if you really go there.

The Buffalo and Island Park

Island Park’s history is intertwined with the American Bison. In 1876, Richard “Rocky Mountain Dick” Rock settled on the north shore of Henry’s Lake. He was a mountain man who became the second settler in the area. He made a living capturing, training and selling local wildlife. His ranch was a regular stage stop for the tourists on the way to Yellowstone. One of his most popular attractions was a buffalo that he found as a calf and raised.

Buffalo occasionally wander from the park onto the flat, east of Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake. Currently the Idaho Department of Fish and Game does not have jurisdiction over these bison.

Brucellosis control is the rationale for giving the responsibility for bison management to the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Yellowstone bison and elk were infected with the disease prior to 1917 by domestic cattle grazing in the park. Brucellosis causes failed pregnancies in cattle and is transmitted by ingestion of infected birthing materials from other species. Area elk are also infected and no occurrences of infected cattle have been reported in Island Park. One could conclude that since cattle don’t begin grazing here until well after the spring elk calving, the chance of Brucellosis exposure is minimal. Would this not pertain to the buffalo as well? The current management approach is to immediately destroy any animal that wanders into the Island Park area.

The undeveloped flat is a source of pride for many residents of Island Park and the presence of a small herd of buffalo might help guarantee its preservation. It would be the source of tourist interest, a great marketing tool and a generator of local income. This complex issue that would require study, planning and everyone’s input and could be a win-win for everyone involved.

Island Park has a Buffalo River and even a Buffalo Run RV Park but what we don’t have is any buffalo!