Bears Invade Local Neighborhoods

Cautions are being sounded all around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem about heightened bear activity and even some bear encounters.  Here in Teton County, Wyoming Game and Fish Spokesman Mark Gocke says this seems to be shaping up to be a particularly busy year.  Gocke says the Game and Fish office has been getting numerous calls daily about bears in residential areas both in town and around the county.  Consequently, he says people need to “button things up” around their yards to keep attractants – like bird feeders or garbage – unavailable  to the bears. Gocke says residents need to be very deliberate about making sure neither one is available to bears, and even bring the bird feeders in for the season.  He says because it has been such a dry season, bears are really searching for any food source they can find now even if it means coming into town, and they may also check out barbecue grills and pet foods.  Gocke also says as hunting season begins, sportsmen need to be aware of what’s around them as they quietly stalk through the woods, and be sure to carry bear spray with them.  Also, he says hunters should remove the harvested game as quickly as possible. He says at times, that may not be easy but hunters should be thinking before they pull the trigger whether it is in a location where it cannot be removed quickly. Guidelines for dealing with attractants around the home or while hunting in bear country are available at www.bearsmart.com for home and www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org for hunters.