JACKSON, Wyo. — The weather is cooling down and that is a signal to bears to start bulking up for winter.

A Buckrail reader-submitted video shows a black bear munching on the contents of a bird feeder in East Jackson last week. Rafael Fitzsimmons, a driver for Start On-Demand, captured this video of a bear eating from a bird feeder around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the vicinity of Nelson Drive.

Video: Rafael Fitzsimmons

A different video from the weekend prior shows a black bear wandering around after dark near Elk Run Lane. On the evening of Aug. 10, a hiker was attacked by a bear on Teton Pass while walking with her dog.

Residents should be aware of their surroundings when outdoors, especially in the evening. These bear appearances also serve as a reminder to secure any kinds of attractants on properties and in yards that could draw a bear’s attention.

Teton County and the Town of Jackson require residents to ensure that bird feeders are inaccessible to bears at all times of the year. As the valley’s bears begin to wander farther in search of food, take these precautions from Bear Wise Jackson Hole to ensure that bears don’t get into any human-provided snacks.

Bird feeders

  • Take bird feeders down between March and December when bears are most active and birds have abundant natural foods.
  • Hang bird feeders at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet away from any supporting structure.
  • Equip all bird feeders with a catch pan at least twice the diameter of the feeder.
  • Consider using birdhouses, birdbaths and native vegetation as alternatives to attract birds.

Pet and livestock feed

  • Feed pets and livestock indoors, and store feed indoors.
  • If feeding outdoors, only put out the amount of food that pets and livestock will consume in one sitting.
  • Clean up any spilled food immediately, and bring pet food bowls indoors at night.
  • If bear activity is observed near the property, bring pets and livestock indoors at night, if possible.

Fruit trees

  • Teton County and the Town of Jackson prohibit planting new ornamental fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Residents are required to promptly harvest ripe fruit and remove fallen fruit from existing trees.
  • Install electric fencing around fruit trees.
  • For non-persistent crab apples, learn more about harvesting efforts by local cider maker Farmstead Cider.
  • Replace existing ornamental fruit-bearing trees and shrubs with native vegetation.

Compost

  • Consider a bear-resistant compost bin, an enclosure, or an electric fencing system designed for bears.
  • Do not compost food scraps, meat, dairy or other strong-smelling items. Stick to composting yard waste and non-food items.
  • Rotate compost regularly.
  • Regularly clean the area around the compost bin to eliminate any food residues.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.