No, it isn’t an episode of The Yogi Bear Show – this is for real! According to a story from the Associated Press,
Yellowstone’s grizzly bear population may be more aggressive towards humans due to the scarcity of whitebark pine nuts, their normal food supply. Two people have been mauled by grizzlies this year already, making it the deadliest summer on record.
This month, Coast published an interesting article about bear safety in the Pacific Northwest, called “Northwest Bear Safety Tips”. Most outdoor enthusiasts know that grizzlies and black bears inhabit many popular outdoor destinations in the Pacific Northwest, but not everyone knows what to do if they come across a bear. This useful, informative article details ways to avoid bears, how to tell if bears may be nearby, and what to do if you cross paths with a bear. Here are a few highlights from the article:
Where are bears most often found in the Pacific Northwest?
Many people are aware of the need to properly store their food while camping, but few realize the importance of using some of the same practices at home. According to Idaho Fish and Game, home owners in bear country should exercise caution this fall when it comes to disposing of their garbage.
The department has provided a few tips to ensure no unwanted guests are welcoming themselves to your leftovers, citing that they’ve even had to relocate several bears during the past few weeks that had grown accustomed to foraging for garbage and scraps. Here’s what Idaho Fish and Game recommends: (more…)
Andrew Stanton, a Yellowstone National Park Examiner, has written some informative online articles concerning bear safety. He’s gathered his information from a number of websites and publications. He writes, “It is not my intention to be alarmist, but to give park visitors tips on avoiding confrontations with wildlife.”
Stanton has actually published two articles, the first containing a few general guidelines about hiking and camping in the wilderness, specifically regarding wildlife. Here’s a preview of some of the tips you’ll find in his first article: (more…)
