Annual Trapping of Grizzly Bears to Begin in Caribou-Targhee National Forest

As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to monitor the distribution of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific trapping operations are once again about to begin in the Upper Snake Region. Biologists, who make up Idaho's contribution to the larger Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) efforts, will begin to work mainly in that portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest inside of the caldera in Island Park along with sites to the west along the Centennial Mountain Range, these efforts will run concurrent with similar efforts by Wyoming Game & Fish biologists on the Wyoming side of the state line. Trapping efforts will run until the end of August. Trapping operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with bright orange warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs and not enter posted areas. According to Regional Wildlife Manager Curtis Hendricks, "We try to get out five or six collars a year, but we can get more if we are having lots of successes. Some of the collars being used are the older VHF-style, but the goal is to transition to the newer GPS-style as funds become available." GPS collars cost considerably more than regular VHF radio collars, but they are able to provide detailed information that can be used to show exactly where a grizzly bear traveled at a specific time and date. According to Hendricks, "Monitoring of collared grizzly bears is important for obtaining a solid population estimate and critical to documenting that recovery efforts have been successful." In order to attract bears, biologists utilize natural food sources such as fresh road-killed deer and elk. Potential trapping sites are baited with these natural foods, and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, snares or culvert traps will be used to capture the bears. Once trapped, the bears are sedated and studied in accordance with strict protocols developed by the IGBST. Whenever bear trapping activities are being conducted and for a period of three days afterwards, the area around the site will be posted with bright orange warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the trapping site. It is important that the public heed these signs and not enter an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear trapping efforts or Idaho's role in grizzly bear management, call 208-525-7290 or visit the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee website at igbconline.org.