New for Montana Wildlife Photo Opps: Great Pics, Safer Distances

We've all seen the videos and read the stories, stunned that people would actually try to get so close to wild animals.

We’ve all seen those tourists who lose all common sense when they spot animal, getting way too close just for a selfie. It's a national park mainstay, not just in Montana but everywhere. There's even a term for moronic tourist behavior: "Tourons."

Well, if common sense isn't enough, maybe technology can help. MAYBE.

SELFIE CONTROL

The quarterly digital publication Outdoor Life tells us that Wyoming's Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board just dropped a cool new photo filter called “Selfie Control” on Instagram. This filter is designed to help people keep a safe distance from wildlife while taking pictures.

This filter helps avoid those dangerous situations by showing you if you’re too close to the animal. Point your phone at the animal, and the filter will let you know if you need to back up. It’s especially handy in places like Yellowstone National Park, where people just tend to forget that these aren’t pets.

The filter comes with safe viewing distances preloaded for animals like bears, bison, and moose. The Jackson Hole Tourism Board hopes it’ll help reduce the number of close-call incidents while still letting you get that perfect shot. Plus, they’ve made it open-source so anyone can update it for the wildlife in their area.

So, the next time you’re out in nature, use the Selfie Control filter to stay safe and give the animals the space they need.