Blog: Naturalist Notes

December marks the official start to winter across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Elk are now concentrating by the hundreds on the National Elk Refuge, moose can be found in the sagebrush flats of Grand Teton National Park, mule deer are on winter range such as the sunny hillsides of the East Gros Ventre Butte above the town of Jackson, and Bighorn Sheep can be found headbutting and running about the cliffs of Miller Butte. Most bears are now hibernating though it is still possible to see grizzlies. Trumpeter Swans and dozens of species of waterfowl are congregating in open water along the Snake River and Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge. Red foxes and coyotes can be found mousing through the snow, and wolves may be observed as well!

November is a quiet time of year for visitors to Grand Teton National Park but offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Elk and mule deer are migrating towards winter ranges where they will concentrate in great numbers. Moose congregate on the sagebrush flats of southern Grand Teton, and bighorn sheep arrive on the slopes of Miller Butte on the National Elk Refuge. Trumpeter swans and numerous other water fowl species gather on open water while bald and golden eagles and rough-legged hawks migrate into the valley from as far north as the arctic circle! Grizzlies remain active though the end of the month, and sometimes into December. Check in for more updates throughout the month!

Fall is in full swing across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Check back often for the latest video and photos from October 2020 in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks!

If you’re traveling into the backcountry of Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks or the surrounding wild country, bear spray is an essential item to bring with you. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is grizzly country, and though bear attacks are rare, if one occurs the effective use of bear spray has been shown to prevent injury in 98% of cases! In order for bear spray to be effective however, you have to know how to use it. For bear spray to do its job it needs to be easily accessible and ready to fire from a safe location, in working order, and discharged properly. Here are 7 ways to effectively carry and use bear spray...

September 2020 Yellowstone and Grand Teton Wildlife Log - Video and photo of our recent sightings!