JACKSON, Wyo. — Summer in the Tetons brings an abundance of active wildlife, including black and grizzly bears, in and around Grand Teton National Park (GTNP).
For visitors and residents alike, here are a few tips to avoid dangerous encounters.
Viewing wildlife
GTNP requires all visitors to stay a minimum distance of at least 100 yards or 300 feet from bears and wolves and 25 yards or 75 feet from all other wildlife.
The park suggests hikers stay in groups and avoid hiking early in the morning, late in the day or after dark. Grizzlies and black bears often use hiking trails within the park to travel and feed.
According to a report from Wyofile in 2021, research from the Washington State University Bear Research, Education and Conservation Center shows that grizzly bears prefer, when possible, the path of least resistance. The same can be said of human bodies, which is why bears often use trails built for people.
On park roads and all roads in Teton County follow the speed limit and look out for wildlife on the sides of the roads, especially at dusk and dawn. Bears may be feeding near roads on berry bushes or on road-killed carcasses.
Secure attractants
Storing attractants in bear-proof trash cans and containers can mean life or death for a black or grizzly bear.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), data and experience have demonstrated that bears who have learned to associate people with a food source often repeat the behavior. Young bears have a higher potential to become increasingly emboldened in seeking out foods in and around human development, especially if they have learned to acquire food there in the past.
“When this food-conditioned behavior occurs, management options for bear and human safety become limited,” says USFWS.
When camping, keep all odorous items in bear-resistant food lockers or in a hard-sided vehicle with doors locked and windows closed, day and night. Items include food, drinks, garbage, toiletries, clean and dirty cookware, stoves, grills, coolers, empty or full food containers and pet food and bowls.
Carry bear spray
The National Park Service recommends that park visitors carry bear spray in all areas of Yellowstone National Park and GTNP. “Bear spray has proven to be an effective, non-lethal, bear deterrent capable of stopping aggressive behavior in bears,” the park service says. Bear spray should be used on aggressive or charging bears.
This might go without saying, but bear spray is not a repellant. Do not spray people, tents or backpacks.
What to do in a bear encounter
Encountering a bear does not mean the bear is aggressive or going to attack.
GTNP offers these tips to manage a bear encounter:
- Do not run. Bears can easily outrun any human. Running may elicit attacks from non-aggressive bears.
- If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly
- If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back slowly away while talking in an even tone or not at all
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Do not drop your pack—this teaches bears how to obtain human food. Your pack can also protect your body in the case of an attack.
- Do not climb trees—all black bears and some grizzly bears can also climb trees
According to the park, the vast majority of bear attacks have occurred when people surprise a bear. In this situation, the bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. The bear may be protecting young or defending a carcass.
Swaying their heads, clacking their teeth, lowering their head and laying back their ears are all signs of aggression.
If a bear charges GTNP says:
- Do not run. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping suddenly.
- Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly backing away
- If you have bear spray this is the time to use it!
- If the bear makes contact with you, drop to the ground and lie flat on your stomach with your legs spread apart slightly and play dead. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.
