Wyoming Hunters Need To Be Bear Wise When Hunting This Fall

If you put in the work, archery hunting, there's a great chance you'll be able to harvest one of Wyoming's great big game species. It takes a lot of time, practice, training, scouting, glassing, stalking, and watching your six to hunt, especially since we're living in bear country.

There's no doubt that bears are a concern, and according to the Large Carnivore Supervisor from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Dr. Dan Thompson, there has been a lot of bear activity this year, and no matter where you are in the state, there's a high likelihood of bears being there.

Bear encounter stories have come from all over bear country, including Wyoming, and some of those stories haven't ended well. Whether you're hunting, hiking, camping, or exploring in some fashion, you should always be Bear Wise and know what to do if you have a bear encounter.

It's easier said than done, but it's recommended that you stay calm when you spot a bear. I don't know about you, but my spidey senses go into overdrive when I'm out and hear leaves rustle, a twig snap, or get a gut feeling that I'm being watched. It's natural to get nervous and anxious, but pay close attention to your surroundings, know how to handle yourself, and practice your process before you even head into the field so that muscle memory kicks in when, or if, you need it.

According to WGFD:

To reduce the chance of having a conflict with a bear, follow these precautions:

• Expect bears in unexpected places. Bears normally move to lower elevations in the fall, and may range further when natural food sources and other resources are limited.
  Carry a bear deterrent and know how to use it.
• Bear spray has deterred many aggressive bears. People should always carry an EPA-approved bear spray where it is easily accessible while in bear country.
• Know where seasonal food sources — like berries — for bears are present and avoid those areas or be cautious when entering them.
• If you see ravens or other scavengers in the area, that is a good indication a food source is nearby, and a bear may be in the area. Avoid those areas if possible.

When you're hunting and have made a perfect shot and your animal is down, it's natural to feel excited, nervous, and anxious, but it's time to get to work and avoid wasting time.

Hunters can follow these tips to help minimize the chance of a bear conflict:

• Always hunt and call game with a partner and stay within sight of each other.
• Remain alert and watchful for bear tracks, scat, carcasses, and gut piles.
• Retrieve game animals as quickly as possible and watch for approaching bears when field dressing and quartering. The longer game is in the field, at camp, or in the back of a vehicle, the more likely it is to be discovered by a bear.
• Have the proper equipment to quarter and hang the carcass in a tree at least 10-15 feet from the ground and 4 feet from the tree trunk. Separate the carcass from the entrails and place the carcass in an area that can be safely viewed from a distance if game must be left on the ground overnight.
• Make noise when retrieving game. Use binoculars to search the area for bears and determine whether bears have disturbed the game before walking up to the carcass.
  Be aware that bears often set up a daybed near hunter-killed carcasses.
• If a bear has claimed your carcass, leave the scene and report the incident to Game and Fish. Do not attempt to scare the bear away.
• Bears actively defend their food, their young, and their personal space. During the fall, bears actively search for food before denning for winter.

The Bear Wise Wyoming page is a great educational tool for anyone who has or hasn't experienced bear country before. Even if you've "been there and done that," everyone still can use a refresher course.