EBS STAFF
As spring approaches, and bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem awake from hibernation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds recreationists to hone their bear awareness skills when heading outdoors in bear habitat.
“Being bear aware means that you assume bears are around, even if you don’t see them,” Danielle Oyler, wildlife stewardship outreach specialist with FWP, said in a March 19 press release. “You shouldn’t leave anything around your home or campsite that will attract a bear.”
As they awake, bears will be searching for food. Some of the first people to hit the woods as the snow melts are shed hunters who are looking for antlers dropped by elk, deer or moose. Some bear awareness tips from FWP are: carry bear spray, travel in groups, plan to be out in the daylight hours, watch for signs of bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses, make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility is impaired.
“Most bears want to avoid contact with people,” Oyler said. “But the best thing to do to avoid an unpleasant encounter is to be loud and give them warning long before you see a bear and know what to do if you have an encounter.”
FWP will host a virtual bear aware presentation on April 1, at 6 p.m. To learn more about recreating in bear country, more resources can also be found at Hey Bear, a Big Sky-based retail and education company that gives back to local bear conservation groups.
