That’s about it for another summer in bear country. There’s fresh snow up high and most of our locations have closed for the season, so before the last few cans come home, we want to say thank you.
Thanks to everyone who rented from us this year. You sat through the quick training at the counter, practiced with the empty demo can, and then actually wore your spray on your hip instead of burying it in your pack. That’s what keeps people and bears safe out there. You made our job easy.
Thanks too to the folks running our 19 locations, from the airport kiosk in Jackson to our partners up in Red Lodge. This only works because of them.
What the bears are up to now
Right now they’re eating. Fall is hyperphagia season, and a grizzly can gain more than three pounds a day getting ready for winter.
Yellowstone grizzlies head into their dens anywhere from late October into December, once the snow piles up and food gets scarce. Pregnant females usually go in first. A typical den is dug into a steep, north-facing slope where drifting snow buries the entrance and keeps it insulated.
Bears aren’t deep hibernators like a lot of smaller animals. A denned bear’s body temperature stays within about 12 degrees of normal, so it can wake up and react much faster than an animal that has to warm itself back up first. Some even wander out of the den for a bit mid winter.
Males are usually first out in spring, in early to mid March. Moms with brand new cubs come out last, from mid April into early May. So if you’re out skiing or snowshoeing in March, the bears may already be up. (Our bear facts come from Yellowstone’s bear ecology page if you want to read more.)
Heading out late? Here’s where to drop off
Plenty of you are still out there, on a late trip or heading into the park after most of our spots have closed. Keep that spray on your hip and drop it off on your way out. These are the locations still taking returns and how long each one stays open, from our Locations page. Check the status board there before you drive anywhere.
- Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman Chamber of Commerce and Central Valley Fire District Station 1 in Belgrade: until October 26.
- Jackson Hole Airport baggage claim kiosk: until October 30.
- Four Seasons at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: until October 30, business hours only.
- Cooke City Visitor Center: until October 31, with a 24/7 drop box by the front door.
- West Yellowstone, Freeheel & Wheel: until November 1.
- Big Sky & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Information Center: until November 15.
- Gardiner Chamber of Commerce: until November 15.
- Jackson, our shop at 565 N Cache St: until November 30, in the 24/7 bear spray drop box to the right of the front door.
- Red Lodge, Sylvan Peak Mountain Shop: until December 15. That’s our last spot open this year.
Still need to pick up a can? Today, October 25, is the last day for pickup at our Jackson shop and at Four Seasons. West Yellowstone has pickup through October 26, Big Sky and Gardiner through October 31, and Red Lodge through November 30. There’s no vending during the winter.
Old Faithful, Canyon Village, Madison Campground, Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa and the service stations at Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt are already closed for the season.
If a can gets sprayed or lost, it becomes a $50 purchase, and the rental fees you already paid count toward it. And since bear spray can’t go on a plane, drop it before you fly home.
Questions? Call us at (307) 828-1885 or email info@bearaware.com.
That’s it from us for this year. Enjoy the quiet season, and we’ll see you in the spring.
The Bear Aware crew
