Watch: Bear Opens Car Door, Scares Tourists

by
posted on June 14, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

As most hunters know, a bear's paw isn't built all that differently than a human hand—at least from a bone structure standpoint. This means, as you might imagine, that bruins are capable of using their paws to perform a number of very human-like tasks—such as opening doors. Every so often, you hear about one of the nosy little buggers walking right through unlocked doors. They seem to have even more success with vehicle doors, which one family recently learned the hard way. In a video posted to YouTube last week (and embedded above), a curious black bear opens the passenger door of a car—with a family of tourists still very much inside.

Fortunately, despite the shrieks, no one was hurt. I'd worry that some of the passengers may need a change of pants, though.

The video offers few details as to where and when the incident occurred, though some sources are saying that it was filmed in Yellowstone. The enormous National Park has been in the news a fair bit of late, most recently because of a similar video, which showed a woman being charged by a cow elk after getting too close while trying to take a selfie. With luck, this most recent video will show the uninitiated that no, bears won't be thwarted by car doors.

I've embedded the video above. I'd encourage you to give it a look. Friendly recommendation: turn down the volume before clicking play.

Latest

LEDEW H2026 04 Membershunt Angie Buck Barnabas Nov 2025
LEDEW H2026 04 Membershunt Angie Buck Barnabas Nov 2025

Member's Hunt: Patience is Tough When You Shoot a Big Buck

My phone still in my hands, I texted my teenage son, who was hunting along the field not far away. Trying not to move any part of my body but my thumbs, I sent the message, “Got a buck down, but he’s still alive. Help!” Tucker texted back, “What do you want me to do?” I replied: “Come kill the bastard before he kills me!” Intrigued? Read on.

First Look: 2026 Spypoint Trail Camera Lineup

Spypoint's 2026 trail camera line-up features three new models designed to deliver on flexibility and control.

Hardware Review: Christensen Arms Evoke .375 H&H

A .375 H&H Magnum for less than $1,000 is a win for hunters on any continent, especially when it comes packed with features and has the sub-MOA accuracy potential of the American-made Evoke from Christensen Arms.

New for 2026: Avian-X Waterfowl Backpacks

Expanding its assortment to include soft goods in 2026, waterfowl brand Avian-X has announced an all-new lineup of packs specifically designed to keep waterfowl hunters organized, mobile and ready for anything.

Behind the Bullet: The .308 Norma Magnum

Norma’s ballistician Nils Kvale saw the wisdom of having the velocity and horsepower of the .300 H&H Magnum, but in a shorter, more affordable receiver, and used the H&H case to develop his .358 Norma Magnum in 1959 as well as the .308 Norma Magnum one year later. The .308 Norma Magnum closely resembles the wildcat .30-338 cartridge, though the shoulder of the former is located a bit more toward the base than that of the .308 Norma Magnum. Intrigued? Read on about this often unfairly overlooked hunting classic.

New for 2026: Browning Trail Cameras Defender Pro Scout Max HD-DV

The Defender Pro Scout Max HD-DV, from Browning Trail Cameras, promises direct video transmission and streamlined setup without adding complexity.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.