CHEYENNE — As warmer weather prompts increased bear activity, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department urges outdoor recreationists and homeowners to take preventative measures to avoid conflicts with bears.
Residents and recreationists within grizzly and black bear country are strongly advised to secure all potential bear attractants. This includes properly storing garbage, pet and livestock feed and birdseed. Barbeque grills should be cleaned and stored inside a garage or shed whenever feasible. These actions will help prevent bears from being drawn to residential areas and campsites. Visit the Game and Fish website to learn more about securing attractants.
Game and Fish is committed to minimizing human-carnivore conflicts and requests that the public promptly report any bear conflicts or sightings of bears in residential areas to their local Game and Fish office.
"Timely reporting of bear conflicts and sightings in residential areas is invaluable to our efforts in minimizing human-carnivore interactions,” said DeBolt. “This information allows us to proactively address potential issues and ensure the safety of both the public and bears."
Those recreating in bear country should be aware of potential encounters by carrying bear defense and being alert. Avoid surprise encounters by hiking in groups, making noise and learning to identify signs of bear activity, including tracks, scat and diggings. Steer clear of areas with carcasses or scavenging birds, as bears may stay near a carcass to defend it. Commercially available, EPA-approved bear spray is an effective deterrent if confronted by a bear. More resources and information on how to react during an encounter with a bear are available on the Game and Fish website.
Appreciating the sight of a grizzly or black bear comes with the responsibility of following ethical wildlife viewing and photography practices, as well as traffic regulations. This is essential for both preserving the natural behavior of bears and protecting human safety. Ensure your safety and that of bears by practicing ethical viewing: follow traffic laws, maintain a 100-yard distance from large carnivores like bears and wolves, avoid disturbing them, and never feed wildlife or allow access to food.
“We ask that everyone be good stewards of wildlife. Please do not contribute to bears becoming habituated to human presence,” Wyoming Game and Fish Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt said. “Your actions could result in them being needlessly injured or killed, as other bears have.”
Approaching or blocking bears can lead to dangerous conflicts and habituate them to humans and traffic, increasing the risk of vehicle strikes and other dangerous encounters.
To learn more, visit the Bear Wise Wyoming website.
– WGFD –