Bear Wise Wyoming
Written By: Sarah Reish
Bear safety is an important factor for those of us living and recreating here in Wyoming, and in support of National Parks week and in an effort to spread the word about bear safety, we got in touch with Dusty, our local Bear Wise professional. We have used the Wyoming Game & Fish website as a resource for information, but we were happy to have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our Bear Wise guru.
Identifying Wyoming Bears
Grizzly and Black bears are native to Wyoming and it is important to be able to identify these two very different bears.
Grizzly bears are more aggressive in nature. Their paw prints will have toes that are inline - meaning they do not taper. They also have a hump on their back near their shoulders and have rounded ears.
Black bears are still dangerous, but tend to be less aggressive than grizzly bears. Their paw prints tapered or staggered at different heights. They do not have a hump and they have long pointed ears.
Important Things To Know About Bears in Wyoming
Here is a recap of some important Bear Wise facts from the Wyoming Game & Fish Website. Be sure to follow the links for more detailed safety information.
Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
Bears have a heightened sense of smell, so it is important to utilize bear boxes while camping and hanging food while dispersed camping. Keep your campsite clean and wipe down your table. Always stay aware of your surroundings while in bear country. Keep your bear spray on you and make noise if you encounter a bear.
Hunting in Bear Country
Going out early and late, staying quiet and using game calls are essential to successful big game hunts in Wyoming. However, these hunting tactics can prove tricky when in bear country. Be sure to follow the link above to learn more about how you can stay safe while out hunting game.
Living in Bear Country
We live in a beautiful part of our country and are aware of the wildlife that resides next to us. With this in mind, there are some easy things we can do to protect ourselves, our families, and our homes from bears including keeping trash in a bear-resistant contain or location, being aware that vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and composting can attract bears. Be sure to follow the above link for more information from Wyoming Game & Fish.
Bear Wise - Advise From Dusty
When asked about unusual advise regarding bear safety, Dusty shared that a dog can deter bears as long as the dog isn’t timid. Timid dogs tend to run back to the owner seeking comfort; however, dogs with stronger personality traits can alert you and even deter a bear. Dusty Shares, “However, in general bears have a natural fear of canines because of that historical relationship with wolves.”
The Number One Mistake People Make in Bear Country
We asked Dusty what the biggest mistake people make when encountering a bear and he shared, “The number one mistake I see when people have negative close encounters with bears is that they aren’t prepared with a defense mechanism or they are unfamiliar with how to effectively use their defense. Whether it is a firearm or bear spray, it is important to have it readily accessible and to be so comfortable using it that your muscle memory can take over in a high stress situation.” Dusty also explains that knowing what the bear is trying to tell you is equally important; understanding their behavior explains a lot. From curious, to defensive - mainly of its food, space or even cub(s). Please take the time to explore the Bear Wise section of Wyoming Game & Fish to learn more about this.
Misconceptions About Bears
Dusty shared with us that the misconception is basically one extreme or the other. First, people are either terrified and assume bears are always aggressive - or, people picture paddington bear or pooh and behave as if a bear would never hurt them. Dusty concluded that each bear and encounter is unique and different stating, “Once you understand that there is a bear hierarchy and they treat people the same way they would another bear, it largely removes the mystery of their behavior.”
How to use bear spray
Bear spray only sprays 25 feet, so you will definitely be in a close encounter situation, and it will create a four foot cloud. Everyone in your party should carry their own bear spray and be sure to update your bear spray regularly as the will expire. Here is a video Wyoming Game & Fish created showing how to use it.