Grizzly weekend in NW Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish personnel report multiple incidents involving grizzly bear and humans in the northwest corner of the state last weekend.

At least four grizzly bears occupied a corn maze near Clark. Three grizzlies were frequenting a residential area near Wapiti. They were snacking on pet food and were seen trying to enter the back door of an occupied house.

Other incidents involved bear spray being deployed by people dealing with aggressive-acting bears. In another case, hazing and aversive conditioning techniques were used to resolve a conflict.

In addition, Game and Fish is assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on two law enforcement investigations involving grizzly bears being aggressive towards hunters. One incident was outside Dubois and the other in the Beartooth Mountains.

“In Park County this weekend our employees have been very active in trying to resolve situations where bears that pose a risk to people. We remind everyone that grizzlies are in places people may not expect and that this is the time of year when bears are seeking high-calorie food as they prepare to hibernate,” said Brian Nesvik, Chief Game Warden for Game Fish.

Thanks to a recent court ruling, grizzly bears are now considered “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. That means the final decisions about law enforcement and how to deal with bears that get into conflicts with people are made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Nesvik advises people who live in bear country to make sure to secure human and pet food, garbage, and big game meat to make sure bears are not inadvertently attracted to places near people.

You can find more tips about living with bears and avoiding trouble here.