It’s that time of year again when bears are waking up and people are preparing to enjoy the great outdoors.  As spring arrives, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts to be “bear aware" and take the necessary precautions to avoid conflicts with large carnivores.

Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt said that at this time of year, bears are emerging from their dens. “Typically, male bears emerge from their dens in mid-March and  April, while females and young-of-the-year cubs emerge in late April and early May,” DeBolt said  “This makes it an ideal time to attend a workshop to learn about large carnivores and how to avoid encounters and potential conflicts.”

Educational workshops will be offered in communities across the state. At each workshop, Game and Fish large carnivore managers will present information about bear, mountain lion and wolf ecology, population status, management and more importantly, what people should do in an encounter situation.  In addition, there will be discussion on preemptive measures to be taken by the public in order to reduce the likelihood of conflicts with carnivores.
  
Seminars are free and open to people of all ages and skill levels. Please call your local Game and Fish office for more information.