grizzly bears

As the weather starts to get cooler, bears are getting ready for hibernation. That means they are actively seeking foods to put on fat for their long sleep.Dan Thompson, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s large carnivore supervisor, said because bears are so active right now, hunters, landowners and others who use the outdoors need to be bear aware. Especially in places like the Cody area, where the animals are expanding their range.

Teton County lawmakers passed a law this year trying to reduce future conflicts. They’re now requiring people in some parts of Jackson Hole to secure their trash and other attractants, something studies show is the number one cause of human-bear friction.

Wildlife officials are asking the public for help maintaining community safety in bear country.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured 45 grizzly bears in 2021 to prevent or resolve conflicts. The number of captured bears continued to increase in the past couple of years. And as the animals expand their habitat, management is more difficult.

As grizzlies move beyond the boundaries of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and create conflict, Montana seeks full management authority.

Wyoming is moving forward in its effort to return grizzly bear management back to the states. This comes after Governor Gordon announced his commitment to put the bears back under state control.The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has approved a new management plan and is now awaiting Montana and Idaho to approve it.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population is the largest it has ever been. It's estimated that almost 1,070 grizzly bears are in northwest Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho. That number is much higher than the previous estimates which put the grizzly's population estimate at around 750 bears.

This weekend two of the four yearling cubs from the famous grizzly bear 399 were captured and collared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This comes after the famous grizzly bear and her yearlings have traveled south outside of Grand Teton National Park.

There already have been more grizzly bear mortalities, including naturally caused and human-caused, this year than last year. But the Wyoming Game and Fish Department say this doesn't portray the whole story.

Wyoming is asking the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service to restore state management of grizzly bears.