Black bears are an iconic species inhabiting Wyoming’s diverse forested areas and riparian habitats. Understanding their population dynamics is crucial for conservation efforts.
Wyoming’s Black Bear Population Estimate
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is the primary authority for wildlife data in the state. While they monitor black bear populations, they are generally reluctant to provide a precise numerical estimate for the overall population.
The WGFD indicates black bears are found throughout Wyoming’s forested regions and riparian zones, with local densities varying based on habitat quality. Since the mid-1970s, when black bears became a managed game species, many populations have increased and expanded their distribution.
Unofficial broader estimates suggest the black bear population in Wyoming could range from 10,000 to 20,000 animals, but this is not a figure endorsed by the WGFD. Wildlife officials consider the black bear population to be robust and stable. Approximately 500 black bears live within Yellowstone National Park, which is primarily located in Wyoming. These bears are distributed across various areas, including high densities on the Bighorn National Forest, with lower densities in the Medicine Bow National Forest and Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Challenges in Counting Black Bears
Obtaining an exact count of black bears is challenging due to their elusive nature and habitat characteristics. Black bears are mostly solitary, favor dense cover, and are primarily active during dawn and dusk, making traditional visual surveys difficult. Their wide home ranges and hibernation patterns also contribute to the complexity of accurate population assessments.
Wildlife agencies employ various methods to estimate black bear populations rather than attempting a full count. One such method involves non-invasive genetic monitoring, which utilizes hair snaring. Biologists set up barbed wire strands around trees with a scent lure to attract bears, collecting hair samples. DNA analysis from these hair samples allows researchers to identify individual bears, determine their sex, and estimate population density using mark-recapture techniques. Harvest data collected from hunter-harvested bears also provides insights into local population trends.
Black Bear Management and Coexistence
Population estimates and trend data are important for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to implement effective management strategies for black bears. The overall goal is to maintain healthy black bear populations across all suitable habitats in Wyoming. This involves managing hunting opportunities, with regulations that include both spring and fall seasons and a female quota system to regulate harvest. If female mortality quotas are exceeded in the spring, the excess is subtracted from the fall quotas, demonstrating adaptive management.
Beyond harvest management, the WGFD focuses on minimizing human-bear conflicts through public education and promoting coexistence. Programs like Bear Wise Wyoming, a partnership involving multiple agencies, aim to reduce the availability of human food sources and educate residents and visitors about bear-aware practices. These practices include securing garbage in bear-resistant containers, properly storing food in camps, and carrying bear spray in bear country. Such efforts prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food, which can often lead to conflicts and, in some cases, relocation or removal.