Dealing with bears: the sooner the better

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Public Information Specialist Christina Schmidt made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to talk Bear Wise. 

On the afternoon of Saturday, July 5, Game and Fish wildlife managers received a report of a black bear near 12 Street and Taylor Avenue in north Sheridan. The bear was reported in the backyard of a residence that housed a flock of chickens and in an adjoining yard. Department officials relocated the bear believing it had not become conditioned to food rewards from human sources.

But conflict between bears and humans in Sheridan County has seen an increase this year. Game and Fish personnel have recently responded to multiple bear conflicts in the Big Horn and Story areas. In many of these cases, unsecured garbage and bird feeders were identified as attractants. 

Game and Fish personnel do not want or work to euthanize bears. Relocation is the preferred method. Once a bear becomes conditioned to finding food near people, it will often return to human-populated areas. According to Schmidt, some bears relocated in the past returned to the original conflict location two years later. Bears are highly intelligent animals and remember easy food sources.  

Schmidt said early reporting can make all the difference.

C. Schmidt

The earlier the Game and Fish is notified of a bear and human conflict, the higher the chance the bear will have to be successfully relocated. Other ways to help bears can be found by visiting the BearWise page.