North Fork couple recognized for keeping grizzlies at bayLance Wead, who manages a guest ranch along Big Creek near Wapiti, exemplifies bear-wise actions.

“Lance is doing all the right things to minimize human-bear conflicts on his property,” said Tara Teaschner, Wyoming Game and Fish Department North Fork Bear Wise Group community coordinator out of Cody.

Wead's ranch is prime bear country, with the riparian corridor enticing bears to stop and feed on berries and other edibles, Teaschner said.

Bears, which live 20 to 25 years in the wild, are smart and remember food rewards. They will opt for easy pickings like a garbage can that contains a tasty dinner rather than going to the effort of scaring up a carcass or insects, Teaschner said.

It's a beautiful ranch, with Grinder and Jim mountains standing as sentinels. Huge pine and a sprinkling of cottonwood trees frame neatly-trimmed meadows, where a sprinkler clackety-clacks rhythmically and amiable dogs romp about. Handsome cabins with flower planters and drowsy horses compliment a charming scene.

With a creek running next to the yard, it also opens the door for trouble. And Wead has had problems, like the grizzly sow and her two cubs that twice knocked down the door to the tack room to munch grain stored inside.

The door is sturdy enough to bar burglars, but child's play for a burly grizzly.

It would be a shame to see a bear wreak havoc on Wead's tack room. Bridles hang from pegs in orderly rows, saddles are stacked and dusters hang, waiting for a rider. The place is neat as a pin and smells agreeably of leather and saddle soap.

There also are several gray, 55-gallon drums — steel barrels filled with grain with locking lid rings that a bear can't crack.

Next to a stately cabin is a 95-gallon trash cart with an ingenious lock that stumps bears.

Teaschner said she has one such cart that a bear attempted to raid. It's beat up, but the bear didn't open it.

On the dumpster are stickers that say, “Bear Saver” and “North Fork Bear Wise Group, Be More Than Bearly Aware.”

The stickers are good advertisements that encourage neighbors to adopt bear-wise behavior, such as using bear-resistant cans, Teaschner said.

The department has the carts, which can be purchased for $49.99. The barrels, with rings, are free. Keele Sanitation and Two Tough Guys Services also have bear-resistant dumpsters, Teaschner said.

Another shed contains more trash barrels and a generator. Steel plates reinforce a stout door.

A cabin next to it has steel plates bolted across the windows.

Food-conditioned bears will test entryways. If the bear can't access the treats, it will mosey along, Teaschner said.

Wead hauls trash down to a dumpster by the highway twice a week, “so the smells don't build up,” Wead said.

Because of his efforts, Wead has not had bear problems in two or three years, he said. But he still sees bears, and guests enjoy spotting them.

“They like the idea of seeing a bear,” Wead said, “just not up and close.”

Wead erected a rail fence with turkey wire around his house too. Around the terraced garden is a 6-foot chain link fence. The fence deters bears and deer, but, Wead's wife Stephanie, still has problems with birds snatching her raspberries.

Wead has set a fine example of taking bear-wise action.

“Unfortunately, it usually takes an incident for people to change their ways,” Wead said.

Many residents on the North and South forks of the Shoshone River are heeding the advice extolled by the group, but it is an uphill climb. Another challenge to Teaschner is the snowbirds living there.