Bear Sighting in Lander

Officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department were recently notified of a grizzly bear sighting in an area northwest of Lander. Game and Fish Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt said a black bear hunter made the discovery when he reviewed the photographs on his trail camera. “In late May a black bear hunter looked through his trail camera photos and saw a bear he was sure was a grizzly,” DeBolt said. “The hunter brought the trail camera photographs to the Lander Region Game and Fish Office where it was determined that the bear in the photographs is a
grizzly bear.” DeBolt said this is not the first time a grizzly bear has appeared on a hunter’s trail camera. “Last year there a grizzly bear was documented on another black bear hunter’s bait site in Sinks Canyon, west of Lander,” DeBolt said. “We have also documented grizzly bears even further to the south, so we know they are in the county and we want backcountry users to be bear aware.” With the snow melting from the high country, roads and campgrounds are beginning to open and many people are heading to the forest to enjoy recreating in the great outdoors. DeBolt reminds
everyone when recreating, visiting, or living in bear country to be aware that they could encounter a bear at any time. If you are going to recreate in bear country, be bear aware. If you see any bear or unusual bear activities report it immediately.” There are many brochures about living and recreating in bear country. Brochures are
available at any Game and Fish region office, US Forest Service offices, and at the Game and Fish website http://wgfd.wyo.gov To report a bear sighting in the Lander Region contact the regional office at 1-800-654-7862 (in state) or 1-307-332-2688.