Visitors to Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding area are being cautioned that bears are out of hibernation and are hungry after their long rest.
Park officials are asking visitors to make noise and travel in groups of three or more. They should carry bear spray and know how to use it and always stay at least 100 yards from bears.
Typically, about half of adult male bears are out of their dens by mid-March, and females with their yearlings emerge shortly after that.
When bears leave their winter dens, they can become aggressive and protective of any food source that will help restore fat reserves lost during hibernation.