Grizzly Mauls Photographer in Yellowstone

Albert Dickson · May 24, 2007

I just returned from 5 days shooting Bears In Yellowstone 2 days ago. Today our local paper had the headline "Grizzly Mauls Photographer in Yellowstone". I guess I left just in time!! It was a great trip here are some images:

Black Bear

Grizzly

Black Bear

Grizzly

Griz and Gray Wolf

The photographer was 3 miles from the closest road when he suprised a sow with cubs. OOOPS! she Mauled his face severely yet he was able to hike out to the road. He was then Lifeflighted to here in Idaho.

BeachBill · May 24, 2007

I just read an article about that attack prior to seeing your message. It said that was the second time this same photographer had been attacked by bears.

Nice shots by the way.

Ric Grupe · May 24, 2007

Great Griz', Pilgrim!

ShepsMom · May 24, 2007

Ouch, i feel bad for the guy. It's always better to keep yourself in a distance and don't mess too much with wild life. Thanks for sharing your very beary pictures!

Albert Dickson · May 24, 2007

Butts Chopped off
It would appear that I have a tendancy to chop off Bear Butts:D

UP N MTNS · May 24, 2007

BeachBill wrote:

It said that was the second time this same photographer had been attacked by bears.

I this point I'd find a new hobby or start buying lotto tickets.........thats one lucky man.

Very nice pic's.

bfjr · May 24, 2007

Ric Grupe wrote:

Great Griz', Pilgrim!

Man I dig the Jeremiah Johnson story and Movie

and I dig your bear shots as well

Ric Grupe · May 24, 2007

bfjr wrote:

Man I dig the Jeremiah Johnson story and Movie

That movie came out in '72...our first son was born in '75...his name is Jeremiah.

gluwater · May 24, 2007

Well I feel sorry for him but it sounds like he was at fault. Some times you just need to back off, the shot isn't worth your life.

Stormdancing · May 25, 2007

Great shots. In the last one sure doesn't look like that Griz is going to budge on it's kill. The wolf, with tail tucked, looks defeated.

dogwood · May 25, 2007

Fantastic shots. I've done lots of hiking, camping, and backpacking in Yellowstone over the years-- a lot of it solo. I always made lots of noise (yelling and chanting) when hiking and carried pepper spray on holster just in case. I guess photographers don't want to make noise when they're trying to get photos but... still... poor guy.

Albert Dickson · May 25, 2007

Only a little defeated Dana
The wolves come in in a larger pack each morning at firs light and try to push the bear off the carcass. Sometimes they win sometimes not. As the morning progresses the pack leaves but they leave a beta member behind to keep an eye on things and never let the bear rest. This goes on for days. Eventually the bear leaves and the wolf pack come in to clean up al the leftovers. IT is a win win in the end. I saw this happen each time on several carcasses last week. Four actually.
Albert

Albert Dickson · May 25, 2007

Thanks Pete.
I know what you mean. I blow a little whistle and talk to the woods:D

kdog · May 25, 2007

What a terrific series! It must have been a real thrill to see these magnificent animals. I love the bear and wolf interaction shot.

-joel

Stormdancing · May 25, 2007

Very interesting! While the photo depicts a lone wolf, I never thought about the pack. Duh

In the photo I see a victory for the bear, but if you could see the whole story it's quite a different ending.

Thanks,

Albert Dickson wrote:

The wolves come in in a larger pack each morning at firs light and try to push the bear off the carcass. Sometimes they win sometimes not. As the morning progresses the pack leaves but they leave a beta member behind to keep an eye on things and never let the bear rest. This goes on for days. Eventually the bear leaves and the wolf pack come in to clean up al the leftovers. IT is a win win in the end. I saw this happen each time on several carcasses last week. Four actually.
Albert

Albert Dickson · May 25, 2007

Thanks Joel
It is a thrill but as is shown by the Jim Cole Mauling this week, we need always be respectful and diligent when in our great wild places.

kdog · May 25, 2007

Absolutely. The sad part is that the bear will probably be hunted down and shot, when all it was doing was protecting a cub.

Regards,
-joel

Albert Dickson · May 26, 2007

The bear Will not be punished
Joel, The park service policy is that they do not relocate or terminate bears that are reacting or behaving naturaly when something like this occurs (very very rare by the way). They consider this normal protective behavior for this bear with cub. No action will be taken per thier statement. Recently a well known bear was relocated to the interior of the park because of over familiarity with people and cars that led to an incident but roadside bears and backcountry bears are two different animals

.

Stanley · May 26, 2007

Image one he doesn't look too happy. you know if you walk into a situation of a grizzly mother and her cubs and you back off that might not placate her and she might attack anyway, they are dangerous animals.

Grizzly Mauls Photographer in Yellowstone

Comments