Black bear killed near Dayton

A young male black bear was shot and killed Tuesday at a rural residence outside Dayton.

According to a report from Wyoming Game and Fish, the bear had made multiple visits to the residence during the day and night on Monday, entering the garage, damaging a barbecue grill, attempting to get inside the home and climbing onto a vehicle.

The homeowner tried to discourage the bear, but the animal returned repeatedly to the home and a neighboring residence over several hours. Game and Fish personnel and a Sheridan County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the homeowner’s report Monday night and set a trap, but the animal avoided the trap, made additional attempts to enter the home throughout the night and damaged construction equipment housed on-site.

The bear reappeared mid-morning on Tuesday and was reported behaving aggressively. A construction worker at the residence shot the animal after it continued to approach him and others as they yelled and tried to scare it away.

Sheridan Region Wildlife Supervisor Craig Smith said the animal’s aggressive behavior was unusual and posed a threat to human safety. He said the bear showed no fear of humans and was very bold in its efforts to get into the garage and residence.

He said the bear in this case did not receive food rewards, but he reminded area residents that Sheridan County is bear habitat, and people should keep household garbage, grills, bird feeders, pet food and other potential food items secured and out of reach of bears and other wildlife.