JACKSON, Wyo. — U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Conflict Specialist Rebecca Lyon and Bear Wise Jackson Hole will host a workshop sharing how the community can secure bear attractants using electric fencing.
According to Bear Wise Program Manager Kole Stewart, things like chicken coops, compost bins and even apple trees are difficult to get secured, but the number one way community members can achieve that is with an electric fence. The workshop will go over specific ways to build electric fences, including the certain wires and voltage numbers needed to deter a bear.
“It’s important that we are facilitating compliance with the county and county regulations,” Stewart says. “We want to give people the best chance they can to comply with those regulations.”
The public Workshop will take place at the Teton County Library on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will also be a bear spray raffle and an outdoor portion, so dress accordingly.
Stewart notes that Bear Wise can also work with Lyon and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to come to people’s houses and assist in building an electric fence, although people will still have to purchase their own materials.
Teton County and the Town of Jackson require residents to secure bear attractants. On April 1, required use of bear-resistant trash cans in designated zones on the edges of town went into effect.
Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.
Editor’s Note: The original version of this article reported the Workshop beginning at 8 a.m. but has been updated to reflect the correct start time of 10 a.m..
