Beware of Bear

Beware of Bear

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Spring bear hunters beware. Reports of grizzly bears throughout the Northwest exiting their winter dens have been coming from the high country for a number of weeks and as these bears venture forth in search of food the likelihood of them being observed is increasing.  Both grizzly and black bears have the ability to exist in relatively close proximity to people, if humans are smart enough to take some simple precautions.

The intermountain West has always been home to bears. Even in those times and places where humans worked to eliminate grizzly bears, black bears were generally allowed to exist.  Today, grizzly bears with the help of man have made incredible strides towards recovery. Fish and Game spokesperson Greg Losinski cautions bear hunters: "Spring bear hunters where there are both black bears and grizzlies, all the bears are emerging. What that means is that hunters need to be aware when they are out that they are sure of their target. In most areas we do have legal bear hunting seasons but we still do not have a legal grizzly season so it is very important to know your target before you pull the trigger. Grizzlies are recovering in certain parts of Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and Montana so it is up to folks as they head on into the woods to be sure by talking to the local game officials which bears are where and grizzlies are recovering in many ecosystems and they are spreading out from recovery areas so it pays to be bear aware.

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