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A black bear shakes an ornamental tree near an Island Park resident's cabin.
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County will cite bear baiting people
Printed From The Island Park News
2007-09-21
Fremont County Sheriff Ralph Davis said Monday he will ask deputies to start citing people who are leaving garbage around their property that may be attracting grizzly and black bears.
Davis’ announcement came during a powwow with the Board of County Commissioners and County Attorney Karl Lewies about the much publicized bear situation .
Lewies said people who leave garbage out for bears may fall under the county’s solid waste ordinance. Violators can be fined and given jail time.
It was also noted that Ashton - Island Park District Ranger Adrienne Keller has sent the county a letter encouraging the use of laws on the books that can be used to cite people who are baiting bears.
Davis said the public should call the county’s tip line and report offenders - 624-1548.
Davis said he has discussed the bear situation with folks at the Velvet Ranch, the canned trophy hunt operation in Island Park. He was assured that ranch operators are now burying gut piles and carcasses well within the 72 hours required by the state Department of Agriculture, which manages domestic elk operations.
It was noted that bears have been observed digging up the buried guts and carcasses, which is normal bear behavior.
Davis said he is concerned about citizens who appear to be enticing bears to their property to enjoy seeing and photographing them,
Resentment was expressed of the federal government for “introducing" bears and wolves to this area and then expecting local communities to live with problems these animals create.
Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone Park, and now roam widely outside park borders. Grizzly and black bears have sought food in Fremont County for many years. Sightings are up now because bear numbers are up and the bears are leaving the park to seek food, since their food supplies are limited due to the drought, fires, and other factors.
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