An Idaho Man’s Near Grizzly Experience

It happened on a trip to the Tetons.   On a crisp, early fall afternoon.  I was alone and a newcomer to hiking trails.  I was staying in Jackson for a few days and one early morning when the sky was azure and I could see my breath I decided to visit the national park.  I had gone near the entrance my first day in town just to get a few pictures of the mountains.  On the very first day, I saw a very large moose and expected to see more by visiting a large pond where I was told the large animals watered not long after sunrise.

I Was Actually on a Moose Hunt

I got there and waited.  Then waited even longer.  The only wild animal I encountered was a crow and it was noisy.  As if telling me I wasn’t welcome.  I decided to drive through some more of the park and finally reached an open field and decided to take a walk along a long path.  I could hear water rushing and believed if I walked long enough I would see the actual stream.  Then I came across a sign.  It warned there were bears along the trail and listed the days the large beasts had been spotted over the course of the last month.  On average, a bear had been seen every other day, and then the pattern broke.  No humans had seen one of the animals the previous two days.

I Wasn't Carrying Bear Spray

I started thinking if a grizzly had taken a day off, then he would probably be back and make up for the lost time.  As I’m not an experienced wilderness guy, I decided I had walked far enough.  Heck, I wasn’t even carrying any bear spray.  I went back to my car, drove to Jackson, and bought myself lunch.  Later, I learned bears were seen that day in the very same area.  Instead of buying lunch, I could’ve been lunch.

Yesterday, I watched a short documentary.  The narrator was pondering if there would be a winner if a gorilla and a grizzly got into a fight.  He never gave a firm conclusion.  I’m humble enough to know I could kick my rear end!