Griz still walking around....

[mntnguide]

Been guiding snowmobile trips around the forest and up in yellowstone heavy for the past few weeks now....We still have a few grizzlies running around through the valley. One in particular has 3 cubs with her still. . I am aware plenty that bears have the tendency to come out for a walk around in the early spring and go back in for a while more. But never have i heard of a bear still running around in 4 feet of snow in January with cubs. I have heard they will not go into hibernation if they do not have the fat saved to survive the winter. If thats the case..

[jenbickel]

That's crazy!!

[Ikeepitcold]

Ya no dout. We have had some weird weather here in Nv no snow at all. Not even at 9k feet. All of the animals aren't were they normally would be. Are you seeing some weird weather that my cause this?

[jenbickel]

I know here in North Central Wyoming were definitely having some weird weather. 50 degrees and no snow in January is like unheard of for here!

[mntnguide]

Well its weird in the fact we havent had a ton of snow yet, but up where the female with 3 cubs is running around is about 4 feet of snow. There are no big game around the area, some buffalo way up in yellowstone, but all elk have migrated far out of the area. The park rangers try to say she is healthy and all is fine...but from personal observation would say that is far from the case. and personally have no problem with that situation. . . They are a dang nuisance up around here during season. we could use a few less

[Ikeepitcold]

Well its weird in the fact we havent had a ton of snow yet, but up where the female with 3 cubs is running around is about 4 feet of snow. There are no big game around the area, some buffalo way up in yellowstone, but all elk have migrated far out of the area. The park rangers try to say she is healthy and all is fine...but from personal observation would say that is far from the case. and personally have no problem with that situation. . . They are a dang nuisance up around here during season. we could use a few less

I would think if she isn't healthy as they say it will be a big problem if she gets close to people. Could turn out to be a bad deal.

[jenbickel]

I would think if she isn't healthy as they say it will be a big problem if she gets close to people. Could turn out to be a bad deal.

That's what I was thinking!

[IdahoHombre]

This morning I saw that the forecast high today in Island Park is 39°, and was wondering about the bears. Thanks for the report. It is weird weather indeed. I'm in Moscow, ID today, and it's 40° this morning. Got my sleeves rolled up.

I wonder what biological effect it has on grizzlies when their nap time is significantly shorter than usual.

[HuntWYODon]

A griz not hibernating at that elivation and in Jan. ??? WOW ! How old do the cubs look ? It hasn't been that warm there though. I follow the weather in Cody everyday. I think something in particular with that bear is going on. You may be right with the fat/hunger idea. You are also right about too many grizzlies ! They have absolutely no fear of man. In the last 15 yrs. around Cody, North and South Fork, Sunlight Basin, all over, I have seen more than twice as many. Sometimes it's scarey packin out an animal by yourself and in the dark even more. A dog around is good to have to warn you. A short barelled 12 ga. with 00 buck and slugs is good at night too ! My S&W 460 across my chest with the 12 ga. is even better ! The Park Rangers should watch that bear to see what it's up to. I know there's no tourist in the Park now but maybe it will eye a buffalo ??? 3 cubs too...Healthy bear. I thought they were going to close snowmobiling down in the Park ? Or was that just personel not guided ?

[mntnguide]

Snowmobiling in the park is only for guided trips. they got rid of personal sleds about 5+ years ago. Also lots of regulations on what type of sleds we can have. Enviros are sure trying to get us shut out of there due to the MASSIVE noise pollution we make....ridiculous. Just another chance for them to put money in there bank accounts.. Yea the rangers are watching her close, she is the "famous" bear 399.. which is very well known around this area to the tourists during summer. I run into constantly trucking horses up to the trailhead during both summer and fall. On top of that where we have our backcountry area all fall, we run into griz on a daily basis, and most days see multiple bears on one ridge. Its getting quite out of control. We have our fare share of wolves also, but i havent had to run from a wolf that was dead set on taking a clients bull.