Nature’s power is as awe-inspiring as it is terrifying. Whether you’re facing the roar of an ocean, standing on the peak of a mountain, or face to face with one of nature’s most powerful animals. Nothing illustrates that quite like a newly resurfaced clip from the Yellowstone archives. In a stark reminder of why the National Park Service enforces strict distance rules, incredible vintage footage shows the heart-stopping moment a massive bull bison charges a visitor, launching them high into the branches of a nearby tree. While the grainy film may look like a scene from a Hollywood movie, the danger was all too real—serving as a timeless cautionary tale for anyone who underestimates the speed and sheer strength of these 2,000-pound titans.
As of 2026, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park typically fluctuates between 4,000 and 6,000 animals. The most recent official estimates from late 2025 place the population right around 5,000 to 5,400 bison. And believe it or not, the entire population is descended from just 23 individual bison that survived the mass hunts of the late 1800s by hiding deep in the park’s interior.
In 2024, the National Park Service updated its management plan to maintain a population range of 3,500 to 6,000 bison. This was an increase from the previous target of 3,000, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing ecological health and tribal restoration. While they were long thought to be two distinct groups (the Northern and Central herds), recent research from 2025 has shown they have essentially become one large, interbreeding population.
Over the years, Yellowstone National Park has delivered numerous warning to park goers, a constant reminder to view these majestic beasts from a distance when you enter the world renown national park. But at some point you just stop feeling sorry for people who do really dumb stuff. Take this video from back in the day… it’s hard to tell exactly then it was filmed but judging by the picture quality it has to be quite a while back. But regardless, this guy gets the bright idea to go tangle with a bison and literally gets launched into a tree.
We’re talking like 10 feet in the air, flipping around out of control, crashing back down through the branches… and all of with just the slightest flick of the head. The man emerged with only a wound to the leg, presumably from the horn, but good Lord my friend, what did you think was gonna happen?
Lucky the injuries were not more severe… watch the stunning vintage footage below:
Know Before You Go
The 100-Yard Rule: Yellowstone National Park regulations require visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison at all times. However, experts recommend even more distance if the animal is near a trail or boardwalk.
Here’s a few tips and tricks to know if you’re potentially in danger, and not at a safe distance:
Read the Tail: A bison’s tail is a “mood ring.” If the tail is hanging naturally, they are usually calm. If it is standing straight up, they are annoyed or about to charge.
Faster Than an Olympian: Don’t let their size fool you. Bison can run up to 35 mph—three times faster than the average human—and can jump over fences with ease.
The “Rule of Thumb”: Hold your thumb up at arm’s length. If you can’t completely cover the bison with your thumb, you are too close.
Never “Selfie” with Wildlife: Most goring incidents in recent years have occurred when tourists turned their backs on the animal to take a photo.
The more you know…
