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CHEYENNE - A rash of early season grizzly bear/hunter conflicts has the Wyoming Game and Fish Department pleading with northwest Wyoming big game hunters to carry bear repellent spray and use caution afield.
Lower elevation grizzly bear activity is heightened this year due to a reduced crop of white bark pine nuts, the bear’s preferred autumn food. The 2000 drought has also drawn some grizzlies to river valleys to forage around the more succulent vegetation.
Mark Bruscino, the G&F’s grizzly bear resolution officer, advises hunters and hikers in grizzly country to only carry bear spray which is Environmental Protection Agency registered. In addition to spray, which must be immediately accessible, he recommends hunting in pairs while being keenly aware of grizzly bear sign.
After downing a big game animal, the G&F suggests moving the carcass at least 200 yards away from the gut pile if the entire animal is not being immediately packed out. The carcass should be placed in a location clearly visible from a far distance when returning. If a bear has claimed the carcass, leave it and contact the G&F.
Some sporting good stores report customers still requesting bear spray with the former standard of at least 12 percent active ingredient. That requirement has changed recently to 1-2 percent Oleoresin of Capsicum. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the canister should also:
weigh at least 225 grams or 7.9 ounces;
spray a shotgun-cloud pattern; and,
have a minimum range of 25 feet.
Uploaded: 10/3/2000
Uploaded: 10/3/2000