Be Bear Aware as Bears Emerge From Dens

Grizzly and black bears are emerging from dens, based on radio collar locations, track reports and observations. Biologists say that males tend to emerge earlier than females; with the warming weather and increasing day length, more bears will be emerging in the coming weeks. As grizzly and black bears emerge, they will be moving to lower elevations to take advantage of the green-up of vegetation.

After a bear emerges, it takes a few weeks for its digestive system to get back to normal; the bear has been in the den for four to five months without eating, defecating or urinating; the stomach an...