CODY – Grizzly bears are blessed with a good crop of whitebark pine cones – their favored pre-hibernation food – this fall, but suffered seven human-caused mortalities and moderately lower cub production in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem this year, reports the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.

                Although hunter/grizzly bear conflicts are usually lower in years of good whitebark pine cone production, Mark Haroldson, biologist for the study team, cautions hunters to still be vigilant in grizzly country. “Hunters and other outdoor recreationists should be aware that bears will be searching for whitebark pine seeds in mid- to high-elevation conifer stands,” he said.

                He encourages hunters to keep an eye out for grizzly sign, including scat and tracks, and to pack their big game carcasses out as soon as possible. If game must be left, the meat should be moved away from the gut pile and hung in a tree at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from the trunk.

                “Please be courteous; don’t create a problem for the next user by leaving unburned garbage in fire rings or horse feed on the ground,” Haroldson said. “Bears will find these leavings and may become conditioned to the site.”

                Surveys conducted by the study team revealed whitebark pine trees were averaging 17 cones per tree in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

                Haroldson reported the seven human-caused mortalities were all male bears. Four were management removals, two road kills and one accidental mortality involving an orphaned cub.

                Preliminary observations this year indicate at least 30 females or sows with cubs born this year, which is somewhat lower that usual. Haroldson believes with high counts of females with cubs in 2003-04, fewer females were available for breeding this year. Poor whitebark pine cone production last year may also have contributed to reduced cub production this year.

                Literature about safely recreating in grizzly bear country is available at wildlife and forest service offices in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

 (contact: Dennie Hammer (307) 527-7125)