CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants to remind all residents and visitors that Wyoming is bear country. The state is home to grizzly and black bears, and everyone must be "bear aware" to ensure the safety of both people and bears.

“During the fall, bears exhibit heightened activity as they try to consume as many calories as possible for overwintering in their dens,” said Game and Fish Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt. “This means they are bolder and more diligent during daylight hours and around food sources like berry patches, game carcasses and unsecured attractants near your home or camp.”

With increased bear activity there is always a potential for encounters with bears wherever you live or recreate. Please consider the following recommendations to minimize human-bear conflicts and protect your domestic livestock:

1. Secure attractants: Store all food, livestock or pet food, garbage and other potential bear attractants in bear-proof containers or inside a secure building. This is not just a recommendation but a responsibility for all who share the land with these creatures.
2. Protect your pets, livestock and gardens: Confine domestic animals in a hard-sided building at night with a securely latched door. Do not feed cats or dogs outdoors. Consider constructing an electric fence around vegetable gardens, compost piles, beehives, fruit trees, domestic flocks and other attractants you want to protect from bears. Tips on how to construct an electric fence can be found on the Game and Fish website. 
3. Keep a clean campsite: If you're camping, make sure to clean up thoroughly after meals and properly store food, cooking utensils and toiletries away from your sleeping area.
4. Travel in groups: Bears are less likely to approach larger groups. Make noise when hiking to alert bears of your presence and avoid surprising them.
5. Carry bear spray: Bear spray is an effective deterrent and should be readily accessible in bear country. Know how to use it before you head out.
6. Review best practices for hunters: Hunters should take extra precautions in bear country to safely pursue and handle game. Practices like recognizing bear sign and processing harvested animals in open areas can help minimize the likelihood of a bear encounter.
    

By following these guidelines and being aware of your surroundings, you reduce the potential for negative encounters with bears and other wildlife. When bears become accustomed to human food, they can become a danger to the public and often must be euthanized.

“Living in Wyoming means we are fortunate to be surrounded by wild places and wildlife, including bears,” DeBolt said. “By being vigilant and responsible, we can reduce the risk of bear conflicts and keep our bears wild.”

If bears get into garbage or other food, notify Game and Fish immediately and remove the attractant if possible. Relocation is the preferred management option, and it is more successful when a bear has had limited time to access human-provided attractants.

For more information on bear safety, ecology and tips to reduce conflict potential visit the Game and Fish’s interactive Bear Wise Wyoming webpage.