Yellowstone &Tetons

Will be in Yellowstone and Tetons next week 7th thru 12th. Will grizzlies already be in hibernation? If not where are best possibilities of seeing one for photography. Also, are any of the wolf packs ever spotted during daylight hours? Any suggestions will be appreciated and any other ideas from locals as to unusual or rare sightings. Thanks, Ray Dove

I've been to Yellowstone and Grand Teton in the autumn several times, and in my experience its not a good time for seeing bears and wolves. Unless you come across a bison or elk kill, they just don't seem to around the paved areas. Bears are trying to fatten up on white pine nuts in the higher country and wolves just seem to be in hiding or something. If I had to guess, I would check out Hayden Valley to Fishing Bridge and the slopes of Mount Washburn. The Lamar Valley is a good spot in winter and spring, but by autumn is very quiet. Elk and Bison are all over, literally. There are several Bald Eagle nests along the Madison River going towards West Yellowstone. Osprey and Falcons along the canyon of the Yellowstone, from the falls down to Calcite Springs Overlook. Great Grey Owls have been spotted regularly near Canyon. Good luck.

Grizzlies can often be found on the north side of Dunraven Pass, near the top. Wolves at this time of year are rarely seen, best time for them is in the winter in the Lamar Valley.

This has been a very dry year here and there have been bear down low in many areas. There was a bear in dowtown Driggs ID not too long ago, and there have been several bear attacks around the region. I think it is because the usual berries etc. they eat so much of this time of year are very sparce, and they are finding food where ever they can i.e. campsites. The best bet IMO is to plan for a specific area, then ask people when you are there if they have seen or heard of any sightings.

Ray, last year in early October a black and a silver wolf pair were hangin around a bison kill. It was either Lamar or Hayden Valley, don't recall. Bears were hanging around up on Dunraven including a sow and her cubs.

I have a good friend up there right now. He says that he's seen quite a few black bears but not so many grizzlies. The grizzlies he's seen have been in the Lamar Valley. He has also had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with the Great Grey Owls just south of Canyon. There have been a lot of coyotes. However, he has been going there in fall for 20 years and says this is the slowest he's ever seen it. A good place to get up to date information is Yellowstone.net. Here's the address http://www.yellowstone.net/forums/index.php?sid=44a05007bca177b0f451625f9100ac07

Good luck.

Thanks to all of you for the information. I have some good ideas now. Ray