Man Thrown 8 Feet Into the Air by Bison at Yellowstone Lives to Share His Story
A man thrown 8 feet into the air by a bison at Yellowstone lives to tell his story, and the video is enough to leave you in awe. As someone who grew up around bison, I've lost count of the signs, hoodies, hats, and T-shirts that jokingly warn, "Do Not Pet the Fluffy Cows." It's funny when it's printed across a sweatshirt. It's a whole lot less funny when you're standing in front of one.
These aren't oversized, docile cows with shaggy coats. They're magnificent creatures that can weigh over a ton, run faster than most people realize, and react in an instant. That's why, when I read Carl McDaniel's story, I couldn't stop thinking about God's mercy.
Yellowstone Bison Attack Turns Terrifying
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Carl, 65, was visiting Yellowstone National Park near Bridge Bay Campground in Wyoming with his 13-year-old grandson when what started as a peaceful wildlife encounter turned terrifying. "We were about a hundred yards away," Carl recalled. "The bison was not aggressive." After taking a few photos, they moved on. Then another vehicle drove by and honked its horn at the bison, startling and enraging the massive animal. Within seconds, everything changed.
"There was little time to decide what to do," Carl recalled. "At that point, he was within 100 yards; he could be to us in seconds, so I told my grandson to run in one direction and I went the other to try and draw him away." It was the instinct of a grandfather willing to risk everything for the child beside him. The bison charged Carl, struck him with its head, and launched him roughly eight feet into the air. When he landed, his femur was broken in four places near his hip, leaving him unable to move.
Bison Throws Man 8 Feet Into the Air
Then came the moment that stopped me in my tracks. "He was right on top of me," Carl said. "He could have stomped on me, he could have gored me, he could have done almost anything to take my life, but he did not do so." Those words linger. A wild animal capable of ending his life in seconds simply...didn't. Photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed the attack, stopped filming because he feared the worst. Instead, he ran toward the bison, shouting and making himself appear as large as possible to distract the animal and help Carl.
Carl was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery. Just days later, he was already taking his first steps in physical therapy. Looking back, he simply said, "It was not as catastrophic as it could have been."
Carl McDaniel Lives to Share His Remarkable Story
I'm grateful this story didn't end in heartbreak. And the next time I put on one of my "Do Not Pet the Fluffy Cows" T-shirts, I'll smile, but I'll also remember that God's protection is no joke. Thank God Carl lived to tell his story, because every extra day we're given is a gift and every close call is a reminder to hold life—and the God who gives it—with a little more awe.
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"How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24-25
WATCH: Man Thrown 8 Feet Into the Air by Bison at Yellowstone Lives to Share His Story
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h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: CANVA
Originally published August 17, 2026.
