Yellowstone Bison Launches 65-Year-Old, Shattering Hip in Multiple Pieces

Q: If staying 100 yards away isn't enough to prevent a bison attack, what distance is truly safe?

There is no distance that is completely safe from a wild, agitated bison. The Yellowstone case shows that even about 100 yards can fail if an animal is already stressed, aggressive, or in rut. Park guidance is still the baseline: Yellowstone advises staying at least 25 yards from bison and other large animals, while many wildlife experts urge giving them much more space whenever possible. In practice, the safest distance is “as far away as you can be while still observing,” ideally from inside a vehicle or behind solid cover if the animal seems unsettled. During the summer rut, when bulls are more unpredictable, extra distance matters even more. What makes this difficult is that distance alone is not enough. Bison can run 35 to 40 mph, pivot quickly, and charge with little warning. If a bison changes its behavior because of your presence, you are already too close, regardless of the yardage. Warning signs include head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, tail raised, bluff charges, or repeated agitation toward people, vehicles, or other animals. The practical rule is to treat the posted minimum as a legal floor, not a guarantee. If you see any sign of agitation, back away immediately, put a tree, vehicle, or other barrier between you and the animal, and be ready to use bear spray if it charges. In short, 25 yards is the minimum rule, but the truly safe answer is much farther—and sometimes no open distance is fully safe at all.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 21

Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, said a Yellowstone bison "launched me in the air" during the July 10 attack, leaving his hip broken in multiple pieces and requiring surgery.
Bozeman Health released a roughly three-minute hospital video showing X-rays of the injury; Isom-McDaniel said the landing, not the impact itself, caused the worst damage.
The viral footage shows him and his grandson taking a photo before the 2,000-pound bison suddenly charged, though they appeared to be at a safe distance.
Yellowstone says visitors should stay at least 25 yards from bison and never approach for photos; experts said mating season can sharply raise the animals' aggression.