Grizzly bear pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are set to begin once again within Yellowstone National Park. Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team wills tart field captures on September 1st and continue through October 15th. The captures are part of ongoing monitoring efforts meant to document recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Bear Captures in Yellowstone National Park
The capture operations will include a variety of activities, but all areas where the work will be conducted will be marked with warning signs and major access points. All members of the public must heed these warning signs.
In order to attract bears, biologists use natural food sources like recently road-killed deer and elk. Crews bait potential capture sites with the natural foods. If indications show that grizzly bears are in the area, biologists use culvert traps or foot to capture the animals. Then biologists follow strict safety and animal care protocols approved by the U.S. Geological Survey while handling the bears.
During bear capture activities for scientific purposes, crews post bright warning signs to inform the public of the ongoing activities. Signs are posted around the major access points to the capture site. For more information related to the grizzly bear capture efforts, head to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team website. Additionally you can call the IGBST trapping hotline at at 406-994-6675.
Yellowstone Bear Safety Guidelines:
Stay at least 100 yards away from bears
Keep at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo. Although surprise encounters do happen, it’s your responsibility to maintain this distance.
Carry bear spray (and know how to use it)
Bear spray is a non-lethal tool specifically designed to deter bears as a last line of defense. It is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears. The active ingredient will iritate a bear’s nose, eyes, and lungs to cause significant, temporary pain. Unlike pepper spray intended to deter humans, bear spray reaches substantially further and comes out as a cloud instead of a stream. Using bear spray eliminates the need to have precise aim and effectively defuses situations without permanently harming or killing bears.
How to Use Bear Spray
- Each person in your group should carry one can of bear spray where it can be reached quickly, such as in a waist holster or chest holster. Do not carry it inside your pack or in other hard to reach areas. When traveling through thick vegetation or other areas of poor visibility, remove your bear spray from the holster and carry it in your hand.
- If a bear charges: remove the safety clip, point the nozzle slightly down, adjust for crosswind, and spray when the bear is 30-60 feet (9-18 m) away to create a wall between you and the bear. Bears can run up to 40 feet (12 m) per second, so creating a cloud in front of you provides time for the spray to affect the bear before it reaches you. Keep spraying until the bear changes direction. Quickly leave the area, but do not run.
- Bear spray is a deterrent, not a repellent. Do not apply bear spray to your body or gear.
