Grizzly Bears in Colorado

“http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1322060&secid=1

September 28, 2006

Hunters report sighting grizzly bears in Colorado


By PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE

Two hunters say they spotted a female grizzly bear and two cubs near Independence Pass last week.

If the sighting is confirmed, it would be the species’ first known appearance in Colorado in 27 years.

Taking the report seriously, Division of Wildlife officials used a helicopter with videographers and photographers on board Thursday to search the area but found no evidence to substantiate the report.

The hunters told wildlife officials they watched the bear and her cubs the morning of Sept. 20 from about 80 yards for about a minute through binoculars and a spotting scope. The bears were in a clearing near Independence Pass.

The hunters didn’t find tracks or scat after the bears moved on. An initial search on foot by wildlife officials Saturday also was unsuccessful.

Bears groom themselves, so if scat were found, a grizzly bear’s telltale silver-tipped hairs would provide proof the elusive bruin still stalks Colorado.

Officials found the hunters’ story “worthy of further investigation,” because both have some knowledge of bears, Division of Wildlife spokesman Tyler Baskfield said.

Beyond that, officials refused to identify the hunters or give information about their background and knowledge.

“We get grizzly sightings periodically throughout the state,” he said. “In this particular case, both gentlemen did have a background where they were familiar with both grizzlies and black bears. We owed it to the public to investigate further.”

He said the two hunters requested they not be identified.

Baskfield said Thursday’s search was aimed at tracks, scat, hair samples or any other physical evidence.

“Right now, we’re talking to personnel that went up in the helicopter and haven’t decided what’s going to take place in the near future,” he said.

“If we would find some evidence, we will keep the public up to speed,” he added.

Although black bears are common in Colorado, the last sighting of a grizzly here dates to Sept. 23, 1979, when an outfitter on an archery elk hunt was attacked by a female grizzly in what is now the South San Juan Wilderness. He survived the attack, but the grizzly was killed.

The Division of Wildlife closed its books on the grizzly in 1982, after concluding it was unlikely that grizzlies survived the decades of being killed by ranchers protecting their herds.

Because of habitat issues, it’s unlikely grizzlies could migrate here from Yellowstone Park. Thus, as implausible as it may seem, if grizzlies remain in Colorado they are most likely longtime survivors of a reclusive, remnant population.

Baskfield refused to discuss what could happen if a grizzly’s presence is confirmed.

“It’s all hypothetical,” he said. “It’s tough for me to discuss that. We haven’t discussed that. We’re trying to find physical evidence at this point. When that evidence is found, we’ll proceed methodically at that point.”

Confirming the presence of the endangered species in Colorado could set off a political chain reaction, starting with a moratorium on bear hunting in the area and potentially halting timber sales.

It also could revive debate over reintroducing the bears to the state, an idea supported by some environmentalists and opposed by stockmen.

As for whether the grizzlies pose a danger to people living or hiking in the Independence Pass area, Baskfield said, “Anytime they go into the back country, there are precautions they should take, whether for bears or other types of wildlife.”

For more information on grizzlies, http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/species/mammals/grizzly/”

“Guess those Ranchers need to start killin' again, eh?”

“As long as I don't become "lunch", it's cool they might be back!! So far we haven't run into any bear or big cats on our hikes and that's good thing!! Hey, do those "Bear Bells", they sell at REI really work?? Probably like the "deer horns" they tried to hawk on us when we did motorcycle touring! ;)

B.J. Ondo
Colorado Springs, CO.”

“Grizzly Bears being shy of people isn't necesarily a bad thing. LOL”

“How do you tell Grizzly Bear poop from Black Bear poop???

Grizzly Bear poop smells like peppers and has little bells in it. ;-)
last edited: 9/29/06 11:19:14 AM”

“SS, pls. tell us, you ain't been sniff'in GB poop again!!! :O”

“It's better than what he use to do; the taste test.”

“Now, if we could just get the wolves reintroduced in RMNP.....

:)

Apex predators ROCK!”

“Some say the bells do work but if you can carry one a conversation it will work just as well. I for one find the bells annoying. Also just make sure you are making some noise when you enter into blind corners, reach the apex of a hill. As I try to say use common sense but sometimes people lack that.”

“ive been hearing rumors and unsubstantiated sightings for years. same for wolves. itll be big news if its ever confirmed, and make for some nervous hiking in the area”

“I keep remembering that there has supposedly never been a recorded attack by a healthy wolf on a human in the lower 48. Then again I really do not like going where I am midway down the food chain.”

““I keep remembering that there has supposedly never been a recorded attack by a healthy wolf on a human in the lower 48. Then again I really do not like going where I am midway down the food chain.”
XL400236

XL no recorded attacks because you'd have to make it back alive in order to record it!!!!”

“Das what Ima tinking.....what is it Dead Men Tell no tales?”

“Sarabelle should investigate this. It could be the elusive skeery woof bare. Ooooooooooooh!”