Wildlife managers across Wyoming are responding to numerous calls from the public about bears accessing unsecured attractants such as garbage, bird feeders, and domestic livestock such as chickens, goats, ducks, backyard bees, and their associated feed and supplements. Managers have also seen a rise in reports of bears attempting to enter homes, cabins, and campers through open and unlocked doors and windows in search of food. Many interacting factors may be driving increased bear activity this year, and it is likely to continue to remain active as we move into the fall.
Here’s how you can help bears and people in these weeks leading up to hibernation.
§ Expect Bears in Unexpected Places: Hunters, anglers, hikers and others should follow bear safety protocol to help prevent surprise encounters, carry bear spray or other protection and remain vigilant while recreating anywhere in Wyoming. Homeowners and recreationists should maintain proper attractant storage across all areas of the state, including places that have not previously experienced bear activity or conflict.
§ Call to Action: Very few Wyoming communities have feeding ordinances that require proper storage of bear attractants, so Game and Fish relies on the voluntary actions of the public. People living in or adjacent to bear habitat should secure all attractants now (e.g., trash, pet food, birdseed and livestock feed) to prevent food conditioning and encourage neighbors to do the same. You can be a part of the solution, something as simple as storing garbage in a garage or shed and waiting to put out the garbage the morning of pickup can substantially reduce the potential for conflict.
§ Prompt Reporting: The public is asked to report conflicts or sightings in residential areas to Game and Fish immediately. Early reporting helps prevent bears from becoming habituated to human attractants and allows managers a broader range of non-lethal intervention options. Game and Fish contact information
§ Conflicts May Increase: Human-bear conflicts often increase during fall as bears enter hyperphagia—a period of increased activity and food consumption in preparation for hibernation—and naturally move to lower elevations, bringing them into closer contact with our communities and human activity. Some bears’ natural wariness of humans may be overridden by their need for calories before denning.
