Bears Within Yellowstone National Park Starting To Emerge For 2023 Season

It’s not springtime in Wyoming just yet, but some residents of the forest are not waiting much longer.

While on a radio telemetry flight on Tuesday, March 7th, a Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Biologist observed the first grizzly bear of this year emerge from hibernation.

The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, which is in the central-eastern part of the park.

It was around this time last year that the first bear sighting also occurred.

Male grizzlies normally come out of hibernation in early March, while females with cubs usually emerge in April and early May.

When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died during the winter.

Sometimes they will act aggressively to people when feeding on a carcass.

Park staff advise visitors to always be prepared for a bear encounter, carry bear spray, know how to use it and make sure it’s accessible.

Hike or ski in groups of 3 or more, stay on maintained trails, make noise, and avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or at night.

Stay at least 100 yards away from bears and do not run if you have an encounter with one.

The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of bears, along with elk and bison carcasses.

Restrictions will begin in some bear management areas on Friday, March 10th.