Bear Attack Prompts Second Temporary Area Closure

A section of the park west of the town of Gardiner, Montana, has been temporarily closed for the second time this fall to address bear-human safety concerns. A man was mauled by a grizzly sow with three cubs Saturday morning while bow hunting for elk with friends in the Beattie Gulch area, north of the park’s boundary. The closed section of Yellowstone begins where Reese Creek meets the park’s northern boundary west of the Yellowstone River.  The closure continues southwest along the park boundary until turning due south to Electric Peak. From Electric Peak, the southern boundary of the closed area follows the Montana/Wyoming state line east back to Reese Creek.  Reese Creek forms the eastern boundary of this temporarily closed area. The temporary closure of this section of the park coincides with an emergency closure of an adjacent area of the Gallatin National Forest that was issued this past weekend. This same area of the park and the forest was closed from September 14th through September 18th after another bow hunter was mauled by a bear. Hikers and backcountry users are encouraged to check with staff at the Albright Visitor Center or the Backcountry Office in Mammoth Hot Springs before planning any trips into this section of the park.  Updated information is also available by calling 307-344-2160 during business hours. More information on the emergency closure of the adjacent area of the Gallatin National Forest is available by contacting the Gardiner Ranger District at 406-848-7375. [