Wyoming's bear population is busy this time of year, as they prepare for their long winter nap. Eating is the most important part of a bear's day this time of year.
Hyper means over, and phagia means hunger. In other words, the bears are trying to gain multiple pounds per day so that they can survive the Wyoming winter in their den.
Bears are highly active during Hyperphagia, and that could be an issue for you. If you're in bear country, you should always be on high alert. During this time of year, you should be on extra-high alert.
During their food search, they are focused on finding their next meal. That means they may not be as aware of their surroundings and could become agitated and aggressive.
We're approaching what many people consider the last blast of summer, Labor Day Weekend. It's an excellent opportunity for families to get out and enjoy the long weekend, and they may choose to head into the wilderness to camp, fish, hike, or explore.
As part of ongoing monitoring efforts to document the recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Yellowstone National Park, is informing the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are about to begin within Yellowstone National Park.
Monitoring of the grizzly bear population is vital to ongoing research and management of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin the field captures on September 1 and continue through October 15. Capture operations may include a variety of activities; however, all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs.
To attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as recently road-killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods, and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares are used to capture bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the U.S. Geological Survey.
You should always carry bear spray when in bear country, but if you don't know how to use it, you're not doing yourself any favors.