Bears in Jackson Hole are searching for food near homes. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole Daily.
A “group of bears” (probably a sow and three large cubs) has been near homes around the east boundary of Grand Teton National Park. They are also quite far south for Jackson Hole, and they are especially hungry because the deep snow continues to cover grass, newly growing forbs, carion, etc.
The bears might be famous grizzly 399 and her cubs about which a news story was recently published.
Previous story (April 16) on grizzly bear 399 and cubs. Photogenic grizzly family making last show together. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.
Comments
Amongst all the hubbub about the wolf delisting, I’ve lost track as to the current status of grizzlies in the GYE. Are they now back in state hands? or is there another step and or lawsuit?
Yes, they are in state hands.
The case got assigned to federal judge Edward Lodge in Idaho. That does not bode well for the plaintiffs.
This was a very close call! But the book is still open. Be it known these thee “little ones” are cubs of three years, and weigh in at 250 to 300 Lbs. Each. One can hardly see the size diff between them a Mom! THEY make up a LOT of bear hair!!!
The caretakers at a “vacation home compound” were still feeding birds and maintaining a junk food/manure compost heap in late April. It can only be entitled stupid, foolish, and inexcusable to put any kind of food outside including garbage! The bears got into at least the birdseed. This in an area frequented by bears. Including these guys there have been 7 grizzle bears in the Ditch Creek drainage since late last summer.
This wonderful family hung around the four occupied homes in Ditch Creek for four long, agonizing nights. No fun taking fido out for his constitutional at 11:00 pm carrying a shotgun loaded with bang busters I can tell you! You sure hear some strange sounds! See lots of moving “things”!
They didn’t get any more food from humans! Today (Sunday) they are on Blacktail Butte above the Park Headquarters in Moose. We can only hope they don’t get into the park housing areas, nor the big subdivisions around the airport. If they do it’s all over for four fantastic critters!
This family is certainly one beautiful bunch, but they have been too close to automobiles, too close to humans and have now tasted human provided food. Keep your fingers crossed for them. The G&F people are most concerned, as Mom will disperse certainly the three cubs, now 300 lbs, and they will remember their experience with the food and homes of humans.
Hats of to the Wyoming Game & Fish, especially the bear Biologists and the Park Service. I can’t begin to tell you how hard they worked, and the concern they showed for these bears – and us people! GREAT JOB & THANKS!!!
Thanks for the update and analysis of the situation, Bob.