If you visit Yellowstone National Park now, you'll find feeding bears solidly in the "don't" column. But, there was an era many years ago when people were not only allowed to feed bears in Yellowstone, the practice was sort of encouraged.
Many will see this video as a sign that enemies can become friends, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened if a glass door had not been between a dog and a bear.
Based on what I've just watched, I believe this might be the worst year ever of people behaving badly with wildlife. A video has gone viral showing a woman hand-feeding a bear a chocolate chip cookie and I'm beside myself.
Bears get a lot of attention in Wyoming, but none quite as much as Grizzly 399. She has become a legend and that has become a big problem this year more than most.
When I first saw this, I thought it was fake. It's not. It's a guy who was fishing and decided to tempt a nearby bear with his fish. If there ever was a "touron" in training, it's this guy.
We have seen some real crazy close calls with bears thanks to tourists who don't understand how dangerous wildlife can be, but this one takes the cake. A couple got way too close to a mama bear and nearly paid the ultimate price.
In light of two recent bear attacks, including one near Dubois in northwest Wyoming, the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Department is reminding hunters to be "bear aware."