Bears were once commonly observed along roadsides and within developed areas of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Bears were attracted to these areas by the availability of human foods in the form of handouts and unsecured camp groceries and garbage. Although having bears readily visible along roadsides and within developed areas was very popular with the park visitors, it was also considered to be the primary cause of an average of 48 bear-caused human injuries per year from 1930 through 1969 (Cole 1974).
In 1970, YNP initiated an intensive bear management program with the objectives of restoring the grizzly bear and black bear populations to subsistence on natural forage and reducing bear-caused injuries to humans (Cole 1976, Meagher and Phillips 1983). As part of the bear management program implemented in 1970, regulations prohibiting the feeding of bears were strictly enforced, as were regulations requiring that human food be kept secured from bears. In addition, garbage cans were bear-proofed and garbage dumps within the park were closed.
Although bears are less frequently observed along roadsides and within developed areas today than in the past, many people still see bears each year. From 1979 - 2002 over 31,000 bear sightings have been reported to park managers.
Grizzly bears are active primarily during nocturnal (night time) and crepuscular (dawn and dusk) time periods (Schleyer 1983, Harting 1985, Gunther 1991). Look for grizzly bears with a high power spotting scope in open meadows just after sunrise and just before sunset. Grizzly bears are most commonly observed along the road corridor from Tower south through Canyon, Lake, and Fishing Bridge, to the East Entrance of the park. Grizzly bears are also commonly observed in the area south and east of Yellowstone Lake and in the Gallatin Mountains in the northwest corner of the park. Black bears are active primarily during crepuscular and diurnal (daylight) time periods (Mack 1988). Look for black bears in small openings within or near forested areas. Black bears are most commonly observed on the northern range along the road corridor from Mammoth east through Tower to the Northeast Entrance of the park. Black bears are also commonly observed in the Old Faithful, Madison, and Canyon areas as well as the Bechler region in the southwest corner of the park.
Literature Cited
Cole, G.F. 1974. Management involving grizzly bears and humans in Yellowstone National Park, 1970-73. BioScience 24(6):335-338.
_____, 1976. Management involving grizzly and black bears in Yellowstone National park, 1970-75. Nat. Resour. Rep. No. 9. U.S. Dep Inter., Natl. Park Serv., Yellowstone National Park. 26pp.
Gunther, K.G. 1991. Grizzly bear activity and human induced modifications in Pelican Valley Yellowstone National Park. M.S. Thesis, Montana State Univ., Bozeman. 102pp.
Harting, A.L. 1985. Relationships between activity patterns and foraging strategies of Yellowstone grizzly bears. M.S. Thesis, Montana State Univ., Bozeman. 103pp.
Mack, J.A. 1988. Ecology of black bears on the Beartooth Face, south central Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State Univ., Bozeman. 119pp.
Meagher, M., and J.R. Phillips. 1983. Restoration of natural populations of grizzly and black bears in Yellowstone National Park. Int. Conf. Bear Res. Manage. 5:152-158.
Schleyer, B.O. 1983. Activity patterns of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem and their reproductive behavior, predation, and the use of carrion. M.S. Thesis, Montana State Univ., Bozeman. 130pp.
Yell 704
INFORMATION PAPER No. BMO-4 Kerry Gunther
Bear Management Office Wildlife Biologist
Yellowstone National Park March 2003
