Despite failing to locate a female grizzly bear reported to be in the Willwood Dam area last Monday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is advising hunters to be bear aware even in the mostly unlikely locations.On Oct. 26, department officials investigated a report of bear tracks on private property in the Ralston area, near the Shoshone River.

“We investigated and confirmed that a grizzly had been in the area,” said Dennie Hammer, department information specialist. “We also determined that the bear was a radio-collared female.”

Signals from her radio collar indicated that she had a day bed in the heavy brush along the Shoshone River near Willwood Dam until dark on Oct. 27, said Hammer.

The next morning, the department was unable to locate the bear, even with the aid of an airplane equipped with radio-collar tracking, Hammer said.

Hammer said he suspected the grizzly returned to where she came from.

“It's very likely she's not in the area,” Hammer said.

Bears are eating as much as they can find this time of year prior to denning. It's called hyperphagia. If heavy snow impedes access to white bark pine nuts, grizzlies may follow riparian corridors in search of food, Hammer said.

Beginning this month, bears will be taking to dens for their winter sleep. Grizzlies with cubs they delivered this year typically are the first to den. Adult males are the last to hibernate, Hammer said.

Deer season opened Sunday, Nov. 1 in many of the hunt areas in and around Cody, Ralston and Powell, and the department is urging hunters to be bear aware, Hammer said.

“We want everyone to be cautious and understand that this is unusual bear activity,” said Gary Brown, Cody region wildlife supervisor.

“If the bear is located outside of known grizzly bear habitat we will attempt to capture or remove her,” Brown said. “We do not want to alarm people, but we do want them to be bear aware for safety's sake and report to the Cody office or local game wardens any grizzly bear observed in the Ralston area.”

Report bear observations by calling the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP or call the local department office at 307-527-7125.