Grizzly Bears Are Finally Out in the Upper Snake Region

Reports of grizzlies emerging from their dens is old news in much of the Yellowstone Ecosystem, but it appears that grizzlies in the Island Park area of Idaho have stopped hitting the snooze button and are finally on the move. According to Regional Wildlife Manager Curtis Hendricks, "Our most recent flights finally showed our radio-collared grizzlies leaving their den sites." Both black and grizzly bears originally called the Upper Snake Region home. Today, black bears are still common in many locations and their cousins the grizzlies are re-colonizing many places once inhabited by their ancestors. Persons hunting, camping or living in bear country need to remember their actions could open themselves up to injury or could lead to a bear needing to be put down. Black and grizzly bears can both be found in much of the Upper Snake Region, and it is generally the male of both species that comes out first. Females with cubs den separately from the males and emerge after the males have had a chance to feed on winter-killed ungulates. Because of this focus by bears to regain lost fat reserves, everyone heading out to bear country should keep their eyes open and act accordingly. According to IDFG Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski, "Once bears start hanging around humans, chances are the outcome will not be good for the bear. It is far better to avoid conflicts from the beginning, rather than hoping to fix them after they start. While conflicts can arise in the woods, many of the problems relating to bears occur where people live near bears but fail to take the necessary precautions with things like garbage, bird feeders, BBQ grills, and pet food." Black bear hunters heading out for the general black bear season 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 illegal to take a female black bear if 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 still kill grizzly bears mistaken for black bears. Idaho Fish & Game has developed a bear identification website to help hunters, or anyone who ventures out into the woods on how to tell the difference between a black and grizzly bear at http://tinyurl.com/IDBEARID. A study by a Brigham Young University Professor showed that while firearms in the hands of experts could be effective in stopping bears, the use of bear spray is still overall the best tool to deter an active assault. To learn more about all facets of living safely in bear country visit www.igbconline.org.