Latest news with #WyomingGameandFishDepartment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wyoming poachers open fire on pronghorn herd in ‘disturbing' incident
The North American pronghorn is a remarkable animal, elegant in stature and a speedster on the prairies, capable of sprinting at sustained speeds of 45 to 50 mph. But pronghorn, which often gather in herds, cannot outrun bullets. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced this week that it's investigating the poaching of 12 pronghorn that were shot and left to waste in a hunting zone north of Kemmerer in southwest Wyoming. The incident, sure to have angered even legitimate hunters, was believed to have occurred on the afternoon of April 26 or early on April 27. 'This incident is extremely disturbing, as all of the antelope were shot and left to rot, and no edible portions were taken from any of the antelope,' Alex Poncelet, a Kemmerer game warden. 'The individual or individuals responsible targeted several mature bucks in this incident, showing a complete disregard for Wyoming's wildlife and law-abiding hunters.' The carcasses were discovered April 27 by a non-hunter who had been recreating on the Ham's Fork Road north of Viva Naughton Reservoir. Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to telephone Poncelet at 307-877-3278, or the Green River Game and Fish office at 307-875-3223. Tipsters can also leave information with the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-943-3847. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Wyoming poachers open fire on pronghorn in 'disturbing' incident
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
Wyoming poachers open fire on pronghorn herd in ‘disturbing' incident
Wyoming poachers open fire on pronghorn herd in 'disturbing' incident The North American pronghorn is a remarkable animal, elegant in stature and a speedster on the prairies, capable of sprinting at sustained speeds of 45 to 50 mph. But pronghorn, which often gather in herds, cannot outrun bullets. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced this week that it's investigating the poaching of 12 pronghorn that were shot and left to waste in a hunting zone north of Kemmerer in southwest Wyoming. The incident, sure to have angered even legitimate hunters, was believed to have occurred on the afternoon of April 26 or early on April 27. 'This incident is extremely disturbing, as all of the antelope were shot and left to rot, and no edible portions were taken from any of the antelope,' Alex Poncelet, a Kemmerer game warden. 'The individual or individuals responsible targeted several mature bucks in this incident, showing a complete disregard for Wyoming's wildlife and law-abiding hunters.' The carcasses were discovered April 27 by a non-hunter who had been recreating on the Ham's Fork Road north of Viva Naughton Reservoir. Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to telephone Poncelet at 307-877-3278, or the Green River Game and Fish office at 307-875-3223. Tipsters can also leave information with the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-943-3847.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
Grizzly bear relocated near Yellowstone National Park after attacking cattle
Grizzly bear relocated near Yellowstone National Park after attacking cattle Show Caption Hide Caption 5-year-old grizzly bear found dead in Grand Teton National Park A 5-year-old grizzly bear known as Grizzly 1058, the son of the world-famous Grizzly 399, has been found dead in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. unbranded - Newsworthy A grizzly bear that Wyoming wildlife officials said was continuously attacking cattle was captured and relocated to a location near Yellowstone National Park last week. According to a press release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the adult male grizzly bear was captured after state wildlife officials consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Officials said the bear was captured due to "cattle depredation on private land." The Wyoming Game and Fish Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's questions regarding the number of cattle damaged by the relocated bear. The release continued, saying that the bear was relocated to the Glade Creek drainage, some 2.5 miles south of Yellowstone National Park. Why are grizzly bears relocated? According to wildlife officials, the relocation of these bears is done in order to "minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears." "Game and Fish consults with appropriate agencies to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear's survival," the release said. Wildlife officials also said that before a bear is relocated, its age, sex and type of conflict are taken into account before choosing its new home. Human encounters with grizzly bears becoming more common Although not an encounter between a grizzly bear and cattle, incidents between grizzly bears and humans have become more common in Western states. In April, a man shot and killed a female grizzly bear in Montana after state wildlife officials said she charged at him. The man was "shed hunting," or looking for antlers shed by deer, elk and other animals, when he saw the bear on a "brushy hillside," according to a news release issued by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "As he was leaving the area, the bear charged him at close range," the agency said. "He shot and killed the bear. Fortunately, the man was uninjured." Officials said the incident happened in north-central Montana near Dupuyer, about 70 miles south of the Canadian border. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Speed unknown factor in death of Grizzly 1058, one of 399's offspring
A sign that informs passersby about grizzlies stands along Highway 89 in the Snake River Canyon near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. (Angus M. Thuermer Jr./WyoFile) This story was first published by WyoFile on May 7, 2025. A grizzly death attributed to a fatal vehicle strike has triggered an outpouring of rage on social media about people driving too fast, but law enforcement could not determine whether speed was a factor in the collision. The bear that died, Grizzly 1058, is one of the famous 'quads' of their even more famous mom, Grizzly 399, who died last year after being fatally struck by a vehicle on a highway south of Jackson. Grizzly Bear 399 lived to old age because we made room for her. She died because we're in her wilds In the death of Grizzly 399, authorities ruled that the driver was not speeding. As for Grizzly 1058, 'law enforcement rangers were not able to determine if speed was a factor' in the collision, Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman Emily Davis said in an email Wednesday. Nonetheless, park officials asked people to slow down and be vigilant for wildlife in a Tuesday news release confirming the bear's death. While reducing speeds can help protect wildlife along Wyoming highways, it's not the only factor setting the stage for fatal collisions. 'It's terribly unfortunate that this happened,' said Brian DeBolt, large carnivore conflict coordinator with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 'But it's becoming all too common with these bears that spend so much time roadside.' The more time bears hang out near roads, the higher the probability that they're going to be struck and killed by a vehicle, DeBolt said. Game and Fish is finding that younger bears, like the 5-year-old subadult found Tuesday, are being forced to make a living in more marginal habitat along roadsides because more prime habitat is already occupied. What park officials have confirmed so far is that Grizzly 1058 had been spotted in the park since he and his three siblings split from their mom in 2022. But there were no confirmed sightings of him this spring, the park release said. Park law enforcement found the bear's remains Tuesday in a patch of willows about 125 yards from the highway, within park boundaries east of the Buffalo Fork River. The Jackson Hole News&Guide reported that a law enforcement ranger found the dead bear after spotting ravens and eagles scavenging along the highway and stopping to investigate. The park bear biologist told the News&Guide the animal had likely been there for several days. The park relied on ear tags and a 'PIT' tag to identify the 5-year-old bear, which the park release said 'appeared to be in good condition for his age and the time of year.' The outer park highway sees more diverse traffic — including commuters and semis — and higher speed limits than the inner park road. Just up the highway on Togwotee Pass, where vehicles have struck roadside grizzlies, wildlife managers and law enforcement have struggled to manage traffic jams created by bear watchers. As more bears live roadside, and get habituated to people, the more risk of collisions, DeBolt said Wednesday. 'We don't want bears to be so comfortable roadside,' he added. The speed limit on Togwotee Pass is 55 miles per hour, but once drivers cross into Grand Teton National Park, there is a nighttime speed limit of 45 mph on that same highway. Safety concerns along that highway, where it crosses through the Bridger-Teton National Forest, prompted one retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent to propose a 'grizzly bear speed limit,' using variable speed limits similar to how the state handles blizzards on the interstate. 'Maybe we ought to consider having a grizzly bear speed limit, you know, when the bears are around the highway,' said Steve Stoinski, a retired Fish and Wildlife Service agent who spent a summer managing bear traffic jams on Togwotee Pass. But that speed limit would only work with regular enforcement, Stoinski told WyoFile. DeBolt said he'd be open to reducing speed limits if it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and was reasonable and logistically possible. But setting speed limits is not Game and Fish's call to make. DeBolt also sees larger factors at play. 'Although it seems like maybe a simple fix,' DeBolt said. 'It's not that simple.' Inside Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks where reduced speed limits are enforced, wildlife still die in vehicle strikes, DeBolt said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Another national park urges visitors to be 'bear aware' as grizzlies emerge from winter slumber
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - Spring has finally sprung, and that means hungry grizzly bears are starting to emerge from their winter dens, prompting National Park Service officials to warn people to be "bear aware." The NPS said that bears across Teton County, Wyoming, are becoming more active after the first grizzly bear sighting of the 2025 season inside Grand Teton National Park was reported on March 19. How To Watch Fox Weather Officials said adult male grizzly bears start to emerge from their winter dens in March, while females and their cubs usually begin to emerge in April and early May. Now, as more of the animals are being spotted, residents and visitors are being sacked to secure attractants of any kind. "Seeing a bear in its natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience," the NPS said in a news release. "However, living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep bears wild and people safe." Download The Free Fox Weather App The NPS said 2024 was a "challenging" year for human-bear interactions in Jackson Hole. "Wyoming Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff responded to a minimum of 168 human-bear conflicts in Teton County and the Town of Jackson, which is twice the long-term average," the NPS said. "Grand Teton National Park experienced a surge of incidents involving black bears, particularly around lakeshore areas, resulting in an above-average year of management actions. Similarly, the Bridger-Teton National Forest saw an increase in black bear activity around the Teton Pass trail system outside of Wilson." Virginia Hunter Dies After Bear Falls From Tree, Lands On Him The NPS warns that bears can be attracted by human or domestic animal food, including coolers, cooking equipment, bird feeders and pet dishes. By storing them properly, residents and those traveling to the national park can help ensure that bears don't obtain that food. "Once a bear becomes conditioned to human foods, the bear is likely to exhibit increasingly bold behavior, which increases risks to the bear and humans and limits management options," the NPS said. Hikes Survives Bear Attack In Glacier National Park, Walks A Mile For Help Two weeks ago, officials with Yellowstone National Park also warned its visitors to be bear aware after grizzly bear tracks were spotted earlier this month. "Carry bear spray and know how to use it," officials said in a Facebook post. "Stay alert and make noise to avoid surprises. Hike in groups and stay on designated trails. If you encounter a bear, never run - remain calm and back away slowly." Officials said that all of Yellowstone National Park is "bear country" from the backcountry to the boardwalks of Old article source: Another national park urges visitors to be 'bear aware' as grizzlies emerge from winter slumber
