September 6, 2006

Bozeman, Montana - Mark Haroldson, Wildlife Biologist for the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team at the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center reports that whitebark pine cone production was good this fall, averaging 34 cones per tree on 19 transects that the Study Team and cooperators monitor annually throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The seeds of whitebark pine are high in fat content, and are an important fall food as bears prepare for winter hibernation. Bears obtain cones by raiding caches, called "middens", made by red squirrels. Near exclusive fall use of whitebark pine seed as food by grizzly bears occurs during years in which mean cone production exceeds 20 cones per tree. The good cone production this year means that hunters and other outdoor recreationists should be aware that bears will be searching for middens in mid- to high-elevation conifer stands that contain whitebark pine.

Hunters should not get so focused on pursuit of game that they miss noting obvious signs of recent bear activity. According to Chuck Schwartz, who heads up the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, "I strongly encourage hunters to carry bear spray."

Successful hunters are also urged to pack their big game carcass out as soon as possible after the kill. If hunters must leave all or some of the meat, they should separate the meat from the gut pile and hang it in a tree, at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from the trunk. "It's especially important if hunters must leave a carcass in the field overnight that they be especially aware of their surroundings as a bear might have claimed the carcass in their absence." says Schwartz..

These actions can help reduce human-bear conflicts that result in bear mortality, and sometimes human injury. As always, hunters and other recreationists should comply with food storage regulations in camps, and leave a clean camp when they vacate a site. Be courteous; don't create a problem for the next user by leaving unburned garbage in the fire ring or extra horse cake on the ground. Bears will find these leavings and use them, and may become conditioned to the site.

Haroldson reports that as of September 1, 2006, 8 human-caused grizzly bear mortalities have been documented in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These losses resulted from 2 road kills, 1 mistaken identity kill, 1 management removal, and 4 that are under investigation. Six of the documented mortalities to date were male bears; 2 were females. In addition, a skull was found from a bear that likely died during the fall of 2003. Cause of death could not be determined.

Preliminary numbers this year indicate at least 46 unique females with cubs of the year. Haroldson stated "this year's high count of females was expected after last years lower than normal count of 31. This was likely due to more females available for breeding during 2005 and a relatively good pine nut crop that fall." Haroldson went on to say that "overall, in addition to whitebark pine, we have had a good food year with abundant biscuit root, yampa, clover, and berries, plus very few bear-human conflicts."

Biologists and managers from the agencies responsible for the recovery of the grizzly bear in the Yellowstone Ecosystem will be holding their semiannual meeting in Jackson, Wyoming at the Snow King Resort starting at 1:00 PM on October 11 and 8:00 AM on October 12. Public comment is scheduled into the agenda for the meeting. For more information about the meeting contact Kari Janikula with the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Department at 406-994-4083.