Wildlife is top draw for Yellowstone visitors

By BROOK GRIFFIN Chronicle Staff Writer

Wildlife photographer Tom Murphy has talked to a lot of tourists in Yellowstone National Park over the past 30 years, but one thing is always the same.

“The bulk of the people there want to see wildlife,” he said.

Ninety-four percent of Yellowstone visitors come to see the animals, according to a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks report, called Montana Challenge, that looked at recreation and tourism in the state.

The big three on everyone's list, according to the report, are grizzly bear, moose and black bear.

“There are key places for phenomenal wildlife experiences and Yellowstone is right up there,” said Ken Sinay, owner of Yellowstone Safari Co. “It's right there with the Galapagos and Africa.”

Catching glimpses of animals is one of the Yellowstone's biggest draws, but it doesn't mean you will be successful. Sure, the chances of seeing one of Yellowstone's 3,000-plus bison are good during the summer, but what about a wolf cub, a black bear or a trumpeter swan?

“The main thing is to get up early,” Murphy said. “Animals are most active when it's coolest.”

For those who don't like to see that side of the sun's path, he said, animals in the park are also active at twilight.

Most of Yellowstone's 3 million visitors a year see animals from the car, which leads to its own unique opportunities and problems, said Deputy Chief Ranger Tim Reid.

“We spend a hellish amount of time managing wildlife jams,” Reid said. “We have to mange them for everyone's safety.”

Stopped cars often lead to backed-up traffic, vehicle accidents or even animals getting hit.

If you have to stop, Reid said, “Make sure your vehicle is in park."

Still, most of the animals -- and all of the big three -- can be seen from a car.

“It's odd really, you will see more wildlife simply because you can cover a lot of ground,” Murphy said.

Still, he advises getting out of the vehicle at some point.

“You're going to see small birds, frogs, insects, spiders and all kinds of wonderful things that are impossible from the car,” he said.

Sinay said the key to seeing wildlife in the park is knowing what you want to see and actively looking for it.

“You're watching for colors, shape and movement, and movement is the easiest thing to see,” Sinay said.

For bear viewing, Murphy said, head to the park's Lamar Valley, a popular hunting ground for the park's booming wolf population. Bears like to scare off wolves that have made a kill.

Scanning a meadow or tree lines is usually a good way to spot animals, but Murphy and Sinay both said knowing when the animals are moving around improves visitors' chances of seeing them.

Also, Sinay said, determination plays a roll.

“Go for the hard stuff,” he said. “Look for the most difficult thing to see and you'll see everything else.”

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