The temperatures are warming and that means bears are waking up from hibernation. Of course, that means if you plan to spent time in bear country you need to be vigilant and prepared.
“Typically, male bears emerge from their dens in mid-March and early April, while females and young-of-the-year cubs emerge in late April and early May,” said Dusty Lasseter, Wyoming Game and Fish bear wise coordinator. “With grizzly bears being active in the Greater Yellowstone Area and black bears being active statewide, now is the time to be bear aware and take the necessary precautions to avoid potential conflicts.”
If you live in black or grizzly bear country, Lasseter recommends keeping food attractants properly stored and unavailable to bears. Barbecue grills should be kept clean and stored in a garage or shed when possible.
“Those recreating and living in grizzly bear country have done an exceptional job increasing awareness and taking the necessary precautions to provide for the long-term viability of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” Lasseter said. “Without the proactive measures and awareness already in place, we would not be where we are at today with grizzly bear management and conservation in Wyoming, and for that the people who live, work and recreate in grizzly bear country should be commended for their efforts.”
(Photo source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)