JACKSON, Wyo. — Spring weather means hungry bears are out and about after waking up from hibernation.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) are reminding Wyomingites to be aware of potential bear encounters when recreating.
“Don’t let the snow on our trails fool you … spring is here and it’s time to be bear aware when recreating in the park,” GTNP said via Facebook.
GTNP posted on Facebook on Friday, April 18, that a grizzly bear was seen a few days ago during an aerial monitoring flight to collect data on wildlife.
Earlier this week, a bear and two teeny cubs were spotted on Crag’s Run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
The WGFD said on its website that signs of a bear in the area could include tracks, scat, diggings and flocks of magpies or ravens, which can indicate a nearby food source.
“Hike in groups, make noise to prevent surprising bears, and familiarize yourself with signs of bear activity,” the WGFD said in a statement.
The GTNP and WGFD shared these tips for recreating in bear country:
- Be aware of the surroundings.
- Hike in groups and make noise.
- Give wildlife plenty of space — at least 100 yards (300 feet) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (75 feet) from all other wildlife. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to view wildlife.
- Never leaving scented items unattended.
- Stay informed and do not hike in closure areas.
- Always carry EPA-approved bear spray and keep it easily accessible. Know how and when to use bear spray.
- Never feed wild animals, it is illegal.
- Never get between an adult and its offspring. Females with young are especially defensive.
In a effort to reduce bear conflicts, Town Council has recently put out a bid to purchase new bear-resistant trash cans for downtown Jackson.
For more information on bear safety, visit Bear Wise Wyoming.
