JACKSON – With a number of recent bear sightings being reported in the Jackson area, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Teton County officials are reminding everyone to ‘be bear aware’.
“This spring we have responded to a number of reported bear sightings, both black and grizzly bears, many of those on private lands along the Snake River corridor from the south boundary of Grand Teton National Park to south of Wilson,” said Wyoming Game and Fish Large Carnivore Biologist, Mike Boyce. “We have had several reports of people seeing grizzly bears, likely the same family group, and these bears have caused some property damage and acquired food rewards from bird feeders and improperly stored garbage.”
Residents are reminded to store garbage and bird feeders properly as per Teton County regulations. The Teton County Land Development Regulation, passed in 2009, applies specifically to identified bear conflict priority areas within the county, but all residents are encouraged to follow the regulations. Garbage is required to be stored in properly functioning certified bear resistant containers or in a secure building or enclosure at all times. All bird feeders are to be hung with a catch pan, at least 10 feet from the ground, deck railing or patio and 4 feet away from any tree, post, or support structure.
Wyoming Game and Fish bear managers have been responding to sightings and visiting with property owners to ensure bear attractants are properly stored to prevent conflicts. “Unfortunately, we are still seeing places where known bear attractants, such as garbage and bird feeders are available to bears, including several bear resistant garbage cans that have broken latches,” said Boyce. “We know there are bears passing through developed areas in the valley. It is everyone’s responsibility, as a community, to make sure bears do not become habituated to human foods and become a threat to human safety.”
Allowing bears to get a food reward conditions them to associate food with people, which may lead to dangerous or destructive behaviors. “By immediately reporting incidents, we can address the cause of the conflict and hopefully prevent it from happening again,” says Boyce. “Public safety is always going to be our highest priority, and if informed right away, we have more options in dealing with a problem bear.”
While recreating in bear country, it is recommended to always be cautious, alert and make noise. People are encouraged to recognize areas of heavy bear use based on tracks, scat, and diggings. Flocks of magpies or ravens often indicate a carcass is nearby, which should be avoided. The Game and Fish Department encourages people to increase their awareness while enjoying Wyoming’s outdoors and keep their dogs under control.
“Aggressive behaviors from bears often occur when bears are surprised at close distances,” says Boyce. “This is why it is good to make plenty of noise, avoid traveling alone and carry bear spray as a defense.” Commercially available bear spray is effective in stopping aggressive bears and recommended as a deterrent and last resort to avoiding a physical encounter.
Whether at home or camping, it is important to be vigilant at keeping all attractants unavailable to bears. Attractants are anything food-related with an odor, such as garbage, human foods, pet or livestock feed, bird seed, barbeque grills, compost piles, and so on.
To report a bear in a developed area or to learn more about bear safety, please contact the Jackson Game and Fish office at307-733-2321 or 1-800-423-4113.
-From a WGFD Press Release
