Black bears marauding around Jackson

JACKSON (WNE) – Dick Grieg has lived next to Karns Meadow for about 50 years and he’s seen plenty of wildlife in his backyard. Geese with their goslings. Deer, bedded down in the wetland. A marmot that he calls “Waldo.”

But bears?

“That’s a new one,” said Grieg, 81. 

For the past week or so a sow black bear and her three cubs have been romping through central Jackson, eating berries and crab apples growing on trees in people’s yards. Originally spotted on Pine Drive a little less than two weeks ago, the black bear family has become locally famous. 

But bears in residential areas aren’t always cause for celebration. Wildlife managers have been working around the clock for the past few weeks, responding to calls across town to prevent conflict.

Bears that become used to accessing human-provided foods, whether garbage or fruit trees, can become aggressive when accessing them again. If that happens, the bears are often killed to prevent future conflict.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in bear activity the past couple weeks,” said Raegin Akhtar, spokesperson for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Bears are trying to consume as many calories as possible in preparation for hibernation. That can result in increased activity around food sources.”

Town and county regulations encourage folks with fruit-bearing trees in their yard to harvest them.

If fruit tree owners don’t harvest their crops, Akhtar said, Game and Fish recommends setting up an electric fence around the perimeter. The state game agency will provide people with materials, if needed.

This story was published on September 25, 2024.