Most recently, the bear had decided to take up residence inside the northwest Wyoming town of around 1,000 permanent residents, where it was frequenting dog food bowls and scavenging other food and garbage. This bad situation was compounded when the bear became popular with residents approaching closely to view and photograph it.

"Many people showed total disregard for human safety by approaching the bear at close distances, even at night," DeBolt said. "Although the bear appeared to tolerate the human activity, the potential for an encounter was great. Bears are wild and potentially fierce animals that are not predictable under stressful situations."

The bear was a subadult male grizzly, tagged number 382 when it was trapped for research purposes May 31, 2001 near Jim Creek, some 25 miles north of Pinedale. It was fitted with a radio collar and released on site. The bear was estimated to be 3 to 5 years old and 200 pounds.

Since then, it traveled widely, as bears commonly do, throughout the Union Pass and Upper Green River area. The bear had reportedly received a large food reward in at least one camp before finally ending up in Dubois.

This incident has the G&F pleading with anyone living or camping in bear country to make a special effort to prevent bears from getting such food rewards.

"In dry years like this, when natural food may be lacking, we tend to see more bears in conflict situations," says DeBolt. "I can't stress the importance enough for people to properly secure their garbage, barbecue grills, bird feeders, pet and livestock food, etc. to prevent habituating bears. Bears will be actively searching out food sources from here on out, until they begin to hibernate this winter."