CHEYENNE, Wyo. — With archery hunting for elk approaching, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has reminded people to take extra precautions when camping and hunting in bear country. Most areas open for archery season on Sunday, Sept. 1, but check the WGFD website for specifics.
“It takes effort and preparation to pursue big game in bear country,” Game and Fish Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt said in an announcement. “We want all hunters and recreationists to enjoy the outdoors and be bear-wise to minimize the chances of bear-human conflicts. We encourage all to have a heightened awareness and be prepared for an encounter with a bear.”
According to the WGFD, hunters face an increased risk for bear encounters. Hunters will often track game quietly, making it difficult for bears to detect their presence. Additionally, hunting during dawn and dusk, which are peak times for bear activity, heightens the risk of bear encounters. Using game calls, which mimic the sounds of prey, could inadvertently attract bears and handling big game carcasses can draw bears in, as the smell of blood and meat is a strong attractant for these animals.
When camping, it is essential to secure all garbage, food items, flavored beverages, pet and livestock food and other attractants in a vehicle or hard-sided camper before going to sleep at night or when leaving camp, according to the WGFD. Sleeping areas should be at least 100 yards away from food storage and eating/cooking areas.
Hunters can follow these tips to help minimize the chance of a bear conflict:
- Always hunt and call game with a partner and stay within sight of each other.
- Remain alert and watchful for bear tracks, scat, carcasses and gut piles.
- Retrieve game animals as quickly as possible and watch for approaching bears when field dressing and quartering. The longer game is in the field, at camp or in the back of a vehicle, the more likely it is to be discovered by a bear.
- Have the proper equipment to quarter and hang the carcass in a tree at least 10 to 15 feet from the ground and four feet from the tree trunk.
- Make noise when retrieving game. Use binoculars to search the area for bears and to determine if the game has been disturbed by bears prior to walking up to the carcass.
- Be aware that bears often set up a daybed near hunter-killed carcasses.
- If a bear has claimed a carcass, leave the scene and report the incident to Game and Fish. Do not attempt to scare the bear away.
- Bears actively defend their food, their young and their personal space. During the fall, bears actively search for food before denning for winter.
Campers and hikers can follow these precautions when recreating in bear country:
- Carry a bear deterrent and know how to use it.
- Many aggressive bears have been deterred through the use of bear spray. People should always carry an EPA approved bear spray where it is easily accessible while in bear country.
- Know where seasonal food sources — like berries — for bears are present and either avoid those areas or be cautious when entering them.
- If there are ravens or other scavengers in the area that is a good indication a food source is nearby and a bear could be in the area. Avoid those areas if possible.
“We hope all people hunting in bear country will take the proper precautions before venturing out,” DeBolt said.
Any human-bear conflict should be reported to Game and Fish by calling a regional office or the Game and Fish Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (943-3857).
