The horrifying news out of South Dakota shouldn't surprise anyone who spends time in our national parks. A 70-year-old woman is dead after being gored by a bison in Custer State Park. It's a tragedy. It's also entirely preventable. Every single year, millions of travelers head west thinking they are visiting a massive petting zoo. They aren't. They are stepping into the territory of America’s largest land mammal, and the wildlife doesn't care about your vacation photos.
We need to talk honestly about why these encounters keep happening and what actually goes wrong when humans get too close to wild animals. Discover more on a related subject: this related article.
What Really Happened In Custer State Park
The details from the South Dakota incident follow a painfully familiar pattern. The victim, visiting from out of state, encountered the bison on a popular trail. According to park rangers, the animal charged after the woman closed the distance to take a photo.
Bison look slow. They look like giant, furry cows lounging in the grass. That deception catches people off guard. A mature bull can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and sprint at 35 miles per hour. You cannot outrun them. You cannot agilely dodge them. When a bison decides you are a threat, the window to react closes in milliseconds. Additional reporting by National Geographic Travel highlights related perspectives on this issue.
National Park Service data shows that bison injure more people in places like Yellowstone and Custer State Park than bears and wolves combined. Yet, visitors still treat them like backdrop props.
The Wildlife Selfie Culture Is Ruining Outdoor Travel
Social media has fundamentally broken how people interact with nature. The desire for the perfect shot drives travelers to make incredibly stupid decisions. I see it every summer. People walk off the boardwalks. They ignore the massive, brightly colored warning signs. They even try to pet the animals.
Let's establish a hard rule right now. If your presence changes an animal's behavior, you are too close.
If a bison stops grazing and looks at you, you are in danger. If it shakes its head, paws the ground, or raises its tail, it's telling you to back off. Ignore those signs, and you become a statistic. The responsibility always falls on the human. Park officials cannot fence in thousands of acres of wild terrain just because visitors refuse to use common sense.
How To Safely Share Space With A Bison
You can enjoy the incredible beauty of Western wildlife without putting your life at risk. It just requires breaking some bad habits and respecting the landscape.
Master The Rule Of Thumb
This is the easiest way to judge your distance in the field. Hold your arm out straight. Raise your thumb. Look at the animal with one eye closed. Can your thumb completely cover the bison?
If yes, you are likely at a safe distance, usually around 25 to 50 yards minimum. If the bison peeks out from behind your thumb, start backing up immediately.
Invest In The Right Gear
Stop relying on your smartphone camera for wildlife photography. Smartphone lenses are wide-angle by nature. To get a tight shot of an animal, you have to physically walk up to it. That's a recipe for disaster.
If you love wildlife photography, buy a camera with a decent telephoto lens. A 300mm or 400mm lens lets you capture the texture of a bison's coat while staying far outside its charging zone. If you're on a budget, buy a pair of high-quality binoculars and just enjoy the view with your own eyes.
Know What To Do During A Charge
If you find yourself too close and a bison starts moving toward you, don't run in a straight line down an open path if you can avoid it. Look for immediate cover. Put a large boulder, a thick tree, or a vehicle between you and the animal.
Bison are massive and cannot pivot as quickly as you can around a solid obstacle. If there is no cover, back away slowly. Do not turn your back and sprint unless you have a massive head start, because they will catch you.
Change Your Mindset Before Your Next Trip
Planning a trip to South Dakota, Wyoming, or Montana this year means committing to being a responsible traveler. Educate your kids before you leave the hotel. Remind your friends that wild animals are unpredictable.
Pack your patience, stay on the designated trails, and keep your distance. The best souvenir you can bring home from a national park trip is a living memory, not a medical bill or a tragic headline. Turn around, walk away, and give the wildlife the space they deserve.
