Bears Emerging Across the Upper Snake Region

Black and grizzly bears are emerging from hibernation in the Upper Snake Region across the Island Park area, a fact confirmed by recreationalists who recently have come across tracks from both members of the bruin family. While black and grizzly bears have been observed coming out of hibernation, generally the males of both species come out first. Females with cubs den separately from the males and generally emerge after the males have had a chance to snack on winter-killed ungulates. Because of the bears' focus to regain lost fat reserves, everyone in the Upper Snake Region is reminded that they live in bear country and need to act accordingly. Once upon a time, black and grizzly bears could be found across the Upper Snake Region. Today, black bears are still common in many locations. The grizzlies are recolonizing many places their ancestors inhabited in the not too distant past. Because of increased bear activity, a number of Idaho communities, such as Teton County, have created ordinances to control human behaviors that attract bears and result in conflicts. Persons living or camping in or near bear country need to remember their actions could open themselves up for injury, and could lead a bear into trouble around humans; thus requiring it to be put down. "Once bears start getting into trouble around humans, chances are the outcome will not be good for the bear," Fish and Game Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski said. "It is far better to avoid conflicts from the start, rather than hoping to fix them once they start. This means that even something as innocent as the placement of a bird feeder needs to be evaluated." Black bear hunters heading out for the start of general black bear season on April 15 should be especially careful to identify the species of bear they are looking at before they pull the trigger. Not only is species identification important, but in Idaho, it is legal to take a female bear as long as no cubs are present. It is important that bear hunters take the time to watch for cubs and make sure the bear is a black bear and not a grizzly. Every year, hunters in the Yellowstone ecosystem kill grizzly bears that they mistake for black bears. In addition to sanitation requirements in certain communities, people heading out to enjoy a spring outing in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest need to be aware of special food storage restrictions that have been in place for a number of years. To learn more about regulations regarding food storage, call the Forest Service at (208) 524-7500 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5182501.pdf. To learn more about living safely in bear country visit www.igbconline.org. For information contact Gregg Losinski at 208-390-0635.