Wyoming could be only days away from the first sighting of a grizzly to emerge from hibernation this year – but nobody knows when, or even if Grizzly 399’s cub will show.
Renowned grizzly photographer Tom Mangelsen gave the prediction that March 8 will be the day when the first grizzly is spotted.
Wildlife photographer Debbie Dixon of Gardiner, Montana, gave a slightly later predicted date.
“If this thaw continues, it might be earlier than you think. I’m predicting March 15,” she said.
One bear many wildlife watchers will be looking for is Spirit, the last cub of Wyoming’s beloved Grizzly 399.
March Grizzly Madness
Other wildlife photographers and a biologist didn’t give exact dates but agreed that grizzly season will probably start in early March.
“I’d guess the first boars (male bears) will show up in early March in Yellowstone’s northern range. Maybe at the ponds where bison fall through the ice,” said Wyoming wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven.
Last year, the first official grizzly sighting was on March 13 in Yellowstone National Park. The first grizzly of the season in the Teton area was seen and photographed on March 23, 2024.
A lone grizzly was spotted roughly two weeks ago by Wyoming Game and Fish personnel observing elk herds from an aircraft, Dan Thompson, Game and Fish large carnivore specialist, told Cowboy State Daily.
However, that was probably a “unique occurrence,” not an indication of grizzlies coming out of hibernation, he added.
As Thompson and other bear biologists previously told Cowboy State Daily, it’s possible for grizzlies to venture out of their dens for short periods at any time during the winter.
March is the month for grizzlies to start emerging from their dens in the high country, he said. But they won’t show up in force until later.
“We should expect to start having a few emerge in March, but the mass exodus will not occur until April and May,” Thompson said.
The First Spring Without 399
In years past, the first sighting of Wyoming’s most famous bear, Grizzly 399, was a highlight of spring. And in May of 2023, her worldwide fanbase went wild when she emerged with a new cub.
That cub was named Spirit by Mangelsen – who likely took more photographs than anyone else of Grizzly 399 and her various cubs over the years.
Spirit was thought to have been with Grizzly 399 late on Oct. 22, 2024, when she was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson.
Spirit hasn’t been seen since – although many think the cub had good odds of survival, as it was nearly old enough to strike out on its own.
Will Spirit Show Again?
The cub’s sex has never been officially determined, but most people refer to Spirit as “he,” guessing that its gigantic size indicates that it’s a male.
If Spirit survived the winter, the young bear’s sex could determine when, or even if it’s seen again.
Although male grizzlies usually emerge from hibernation earlier than females, they tend to avoid busy areas, such as roadsides.
“Spirit is a tough question, I’m not sure anyone will recognize the cub with certainty now that it’s on its own,” Vangoidtsenhoven said.
“And if it turns out to be a boar, he may disappear into the backcountry,” he added.
Wildlife photographer Isabella Smedley told Cowboy State Daily that she’s clinging to hope that Spirit will reappear.
“I am holding my breath for that cub. I hope it’s a female so the we get to see her. If it’s a boy and he survived we won’t see him for a very long time, I think,” she said.
However, even a male cub of Grizzly 399 might follow his mother’s habit of hanging out in the public eye, Smedley added.
“On the other hand, 399 was pretty visible everywhere, so it’s anybody’s guess what the cub will do,” she said.
Mangelsen said he’s doubtful that Spirit will show.
“I will be surprised if Spirit is seen again,” he said.
If 399’s last cub does show up, the competition over who can get the first photo of Spirit will likely be fierce.
Dixon told Cowboy State Daily that the buzz over Spirit is running high.
“I think there will be people out 24-7, just about looking for him,” she said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
