Yellowstone Country Safety * Trail Cam *

A note to the bow hunters who passed my trail camera up a draw along Stamp Meadows Road: you pushed a nice group of elk past the camera. They were 20 minutes ahead of you! 

Driving in the Caldera

Summer driving in the Island Park Caldera presents its special set of challenges. The road construction at both ends of Highway 20 greets visitors to the area. Compressed lanes and traffic delays require caution and patience.

Highway 20 is a three lane road, two lanes in one direction and one in the reverse. The center lane’s assigned direction alternates depending on terrain. With the heavy summer traffic, impatient drivers use the center lane as a passing lane, even if it is designated for traffic traveling in the opposite direction and it is a no passing zone. Travel in the right lane as much as possible. Two vehicles driving at speeds of 65 mph at each other leave no time to react if you are taken by surprise.

The wildlife presents an additional danger to the motorist. When they make a dash across the highway pursuing their natural migration paths, there may be little chance to avoid a collision at posted speeds. Reduce your speed as you pass though the more heavily forested areas of the caldera. A collision with a big moose, deer or elk at highway speeds will total your car and may hospitalize you as well. The reduced visibility of night makes the animals more difficult to see and makes them feel more secure while crossing the roadways. This makes dusk and dark the most dangerous time for animal/vehicle collisions.

If all these hazards weren’t enough, there are the ATVs that cross the roadways and parking lots in Island Park. Running the gauntlet of recreational cross traffic requires extreme attention, especially in the commercial areas. ATV riders’ enthusiasm to get to or from their trail ride interferes with their survival instincts. The speed limit of 45 mph is enforced by local law enforcement in these areas.

Using caution and patience while driving in the Island Park Caldera will help you have a safe and enjoyable visit.

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.

Island Park’s Giant Salt Lick

With spring’s arrival, I began contemplating summer. That led me to reflect on the number of big game animals that were struck by vehicles in Island Park last year. My instinct was to blame the rise on increasing traffic or the 65 mph speed limit. I asked a knowledgeable resident last week if he had any thoughts about the escalating wildlife collisions, he proffered that the use of salt solution to de-ice the highway attracts wildlife to the right of way.

I hadn’t considered the possibility that the brine was creating a danger to big game animals, but it made sense. Spraying the solution repeatedly on highway 20 over the winter turns the road through the caldera into a 30 mile long salt lick. If the moose, elk, deer and antelope are drawn to the highway, they are one wrong turn from a deadly encounter with a motor vehicle.

I Googled the topic of “road salt attracting wildlife” and found a list of state government sites (especially in New England) which indicate that they have been aware of this problem for some time. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services posts this information on their web site:

“Road salt in the environment affects the health of wildlife, including birds and mammals. Birds, the most sensitive wildlife species to salt, often mistake road salt crystals for seeds or grit. Consumption of very small amounts of salt can result in toxicosis and death within the bird population. Wildlife such as deer and moose are also attracted to the roadway to ingest salt crystals, which leads to higher incidents of vehicular accidents and wildlife kills. Particularly high concentrations of sodium and chloride can be found in snow melt, which many animals drink to relieve thirst and potentially can cause salt toxicity including dehydration, confusion and weakness, among other symptoms. Road salt can cause a decline among populations of salt sensitive species reducing natural diversity. Damage to vegetation can have significant impact on wildlife habitat by destroying food resources, shelter and breeding and nesting sites, and by creating a favorable environment for non-native invasive species.”

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-initiative/impacts.htm

It seems counterproductive to invite people to vacation in Island Park, attract large wildlife to the highway and hope that the visitors can survive the gauntlet.

Those in charge of snow removal on Highway 20 might want to reconsider their options. In the meantime, it would seem prudent to increase the number of “Beware of Wildlife” signs on the highway. There are numerous “Snowmobile Crossing” signs already in place. It would not require much time or money to add the additional folding signs to the posts.