Full Breakdown
Grandfather Flung Eight Feet by Bison at Yellowstone’s Bridge Bay Campground
7/15/2026, 10:52:14 AM
The Attack
On the evening of July 10, 2026, 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel of Kendall, Washington, was charging through the trees of Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake when a solitary bull bison struck him with its left horn, lifted him roughly eight feet into the air, and dropped him on his side. The incident was captured on video by professional photographer Mike MacLeod. McDaniel’s 13-year-old grandson escaped unharmed; the grandfather suffered a broken femur in four places, additional fractures, and severe bruising. Emergency responders from the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) arrived within minutes and transported him to a nearby hospital, later transferring him to a facility in Bozeman, Montana, for surgery.
Background: Bison Rut Season
The attack occurred during Yellowstone’s bison rut, the annual mating period that runs from June through September. During this time, testosterone levels in bull bison surge, making them more prone to aggressive, unpredictable behavior. Experts note that the rut can drive bulls to defend their space more fiercely, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflicts.
Key Participants
- Carl Isom-McDaniel – the injured visitor, a community leader who serves on several Washington-state boards.
- Mike MacLeod – Bozeman-based wildlife photographer who filmed the encounter and helped disperse the animal.
- National Park Service (NPS) – the federal agency that manages Yellowstone and issued public safety guidance.
- Jennifer Barfield – scientific lead of Colorado’s Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd, who explained rut-related behavior.
- Ron Magill – wildlife expert with the Zoo Miami Foundation, who warned that summer is a high-risk period for male bison.
Timeline of Events
- July 10, 2026 (?8:30 p.m.) – McDaniel and his grandson pause to photograph a resting bison; the animal stands, charges, and flips McDaniel.
- Minutes later – MacLeod and other campers shout, wave arms, and chase the bison away.
- Shortly after – Park emergency medical personnel treat McDaniel on site and transport him to a hospital.
- July 12, 2026 – McDaniel undergoes surgery to reset his broken femur.
- July 13, 2026 – McDaniel tells CNN he is able to stand and begins physical-therapy, emphasizing that the incident “was not as catastrophic as it could have been.”
Data & Statistics
- The bull weighed ?2,000 lb (900 kg) and can run up to 30 mph, roughly three times faster than a human.
- Bison have historically caused more visitor injuries in Yellowstone than any other wildlife.
- This was Yellowstone’s second bison-related injury in 2026, following a 12-year-old’s injury on June 26.
Official Statements & Park Response
The NPS reiterated its long-standing guidance: visitors must keep at least 25 yards (23 m) from bison and never approach them for photographs. The agency’s website notes, “Bison may appear tranquil, but these large animals have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal.” No decision was made to euthanize the animal; officials confirmed “no management action” would be taken.
Criticism & Expert Concerns
Wildlife specialists stress that the rut amplifies risk. Ron Magill warned, “Summer can be a particularly dangerous time of year to be around male bison.” Jennifer Barfield added, “That’s really going to drive their behaviour, and they’re potentially more unpredictable than at other times of the year.” Both experts urge stricter adherence to distance guidelines and increased visitor education during the breeding season.
Conflicting Accounts
Photographer Mike MacLeod described the bison as “agitated, pissed off and charging anything and everything,” asserting that the grandfather and his grandson “were a respectful distance” and did nothing to provoke the animal. By contrast, some reports note that a nearby pickup truck honked its horn, possibly startling the bison before it turned toward the pair. The NPS statement offered no details on the animal’s motivation, leaving the precise trigger unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I was on the ground immobile, unable to move, he was right on top of me. He could have stomped on me; he could have gored me; he could have done almost anything to take my life – and he did not do so.” — Carl Isom-McDaniel
- “The bison hooked him with his left horn on his hip and tossed him in the air,” — Mike MacLeod
- “really didn't think [the bison] was going to pick those two people of all the people who were even way closer.” — Mike MacLeod
- “The bison was pumping his legs and pumping his head and exhibiting very aggressive behavior,” — Mike MacLeod
- “Bison may appear tranquil, but these large animals have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” — National Park Service
The incident underscores the inherent danger of wildlife encounters during Yellowstone’s rutting season and highlights the importance of maintaining prescribed distances from large mammals.
