Food Storage (Blackrock, Jackson, Pinedale , & north portions of Big Piney & Greys River Districts)

Associated Documents

Forest Order

Bridger-Teton National Forest Order Number 04-03-330
Shoshone National Forest Order Number 16-001
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region--Shoshone National Forest
Intermountain Region--Bridger-Teton National Forest

Occupancy and Use Restrictions

PROHIBITIONS
For the purpose of minimizing adverse interactions between bears and humans and pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 261.50 (a) and (b), the following uses are restricted in those areas of the Shoshone National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest as shown on the attached map (Exhibit B) and hereby made part of this Order. Also attached, and hereby made part of this Order, are Definitions (Exhibit A) of terms used in support of the restrictions. This Order is effective March 1 through December 1, annually, until rescinded. 

1. Possessing or storing any food or refuse, as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (cc).
2. Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal, or parts thereof, as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (s).
3. Camping as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (e).

Under This Order it is Required That

1. All food and refuse must be acceptably stored or acceptably possessed during daytime hours.
2. All food and refuse must be acceptably stored during nighttime hours, unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
3. Any harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored, unless the carcass is being field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
4. Camping or sleeping areas must be established at least ½ mile from a known animal carcass or at least 100 yards from an acceptably stored animal carcass.

Exemptions

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e) the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit issued by the Forest Supervisor specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Persons in the act of placing black bear baits for the lawful purpose of hunting black bears under state law and regulation.
3. Any Federal or State officer placing baits to capture animals for research or management purposes as part of their official duties.

Definitions

1. Food and Refuse" means any substance, solid or liquid (excluding water, baled hay, or hay cubes without additives) or refuse, which is or may be eaten or otherwise taken into the body to sustain health or life, provide energy, or promote growth of any person or animal. Also includes items such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, canned foods, pet foods, processed livestock feed and grains, personal hygiene products, and empty food and beverage containers.
2. "Animal carcass" means the dead body or parts thereof, of any harvested mammal, bird, or fish, including the head or skull plate with antlers or horns and hide or cape of big game animals and any domestic livestock that may be found in the restricted area. Packaged or prepared animal carcass products transported into the restricted area for consumption, game birds, small mammals, or fish harvested for consumption in the restricted area are considered food under the previous definition.
3. "Acceptably stored" means:
   1. Stored in bear-resistant container certified through the lnteragency Grizzly Bear Committee Courtesy Inspection Program. A container may be certified by the local district ranger or their designated representative(s) if it meets the IGBC criteria, or
   2. Stored in a closed vehicle where the storage compartment is constructed of solid, non-pliable material that, when secured, will have no openings, hinges, lids, or coverings that would allow a bear to gain entry by breaking, bending, tearing, biting, or pulling with its claws ( any windows in the vehicle must be closed), or
   3. Suspended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or po le, or
   4. Stored within a hard-sided residence, building, or storage container subject to the terms and conditions of a special-use authorization or operating plan, or
   5. Stored by other methods approved in a permit issued by the forest supervisor responsible for the area where the method is proposed for use.
   6. For animal carcasses: stored as per 3. a-e when located from 100 yards to½ mile of a camping or sleeping area or within 200 yards of a National Forest System Trail. Animal carcasses are not considered acceptably stored when within 100 yards of a camping or sleeping area or National Forest System Trail. Animal carcasses more than ½ mile from a camping area or sleeping area and more than 200 yards from a National Forest System Trail may be left on the ground.
   7. Animal carcasses killed or harvested (and parts thereof) within½ mile of any established camping area or sleeping area must be acceptably stored, possessed, or moved to a distance beyond½ mile from any such camp or sleeping area by the party(-ies) responsible for killing or harvesting such mammal.
4. "Acceptably possessed" means:
   1. Possessed or attended during daytime by a person(s) that is physically present within 100 feet and direct sight of the accessible food, or
   2. Possessed or attended by such a person(s) for the purpose of field dressing lawfully taken animal carcasses, transporting any food or animal carcass, preparing any animal carcass or food for eating, or eating any food.
5. "Camping/sleeping area" means National Forest System Lands temporarily used for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure or lands temporarily occupied by unattended camping equipment.
6. "Daytime" means ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, Mountain Time.
7. "Night time" means 1/, hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, Mountain Time.
8. "National Forest System Trail" means a trail wholly or partly within, or adjacent to, and serving a part of the National Forest System and which has been included in a forest recreation map.

This food storage order applies to the entire Shoshone National Forest. 

On the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the food storage order applies to all of the Blackrock, Jackson, and Pinedale Ranger Districts, and northern portions of the Big Piney and Greys River Ranger Districts described as follows: 

WESTERN BOUNDARY: North from Alpine along divide of Snake River Range from Dry Gulch to Ferry Peak summit, along top of divide to Deadhorse Peak and north along Targhee-Bridger-Teton Forest boundary. 

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: The food storage boundary on the Bridger-Teton National Forest begins on the southwest at the south side of the confluence of the Snake and Greys Rivers. It then runs east and north along the Snake River corridor, including that area½ mile south and east of the river itself, to the junction with the Hoback River. At Hoback Junction the area covered by the food storage order runs east along the Hoback River corridor, also including that area up to½ mile south of the river, to where the Hoback River leaves U.S. 189/191. From there the food storage order applies north of the U.S. I 89/191 corridor, also including that area up to ½ mile south of the highway and running east to the Forest boundary in T37N, Rl 11 W, Section 32 (The Rim). From there the boundary runs northeast along the Forest boundary to the Green River, then southeast along the Forest boundary to the SW corner of Sec. IO, T29N, R102W. From there the boundary runs east along the Forest Boundary to the Shoshone National Forest. 

These restrictions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. This Order supersedes any previous Order prohibiting or restricting the same, or similar, acts in the above-described areas. 

Done this day 14th of June, 2016

JOSEPH G. ALEXANDER
Forest Supervisor
Shoshone National Forest

PATRICIA O' CONNOR
Forest Supervisor
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Any violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)). 

OCCUPANCY AND USE RESTRICTIONS 

For the purpose of minimizing adverse interactions between bears and humans and pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 261.50 (a) and (b), the following uses are restricted in those areas of the Shoshone National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest as shown on the attached map (Exhibit B) and hereby made part of this Order. Also attached, and hereby made part of this Order, are Definitions (Exhibit A) of tenns used in support of the restrictions. This Order is effective March 1 through December 1, annually, until rescinded. 

1. Possessing or storing any food or refuse, as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (cc).
2. Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal, or parts thereof, as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (s).
3. Camping as specified in the Order (36 CFR 261.58 (e).

UNDER THIS ORDER IT IS REQUIRED THAT

1. All food and refuse must be acceptably stored or acceptably possessed during daytime hours.
2. All food and refuse must be acceptably stored during nighttime hours, unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
3. Any harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored, unless the carcass is being field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
4. Camping or sleeping areas must be established at least ½ mile from a known animal carcass or at least 100 yards from an acceptably stored animal carcass.

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e) the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit issued by the Forest Supervisor specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Persons in the act of placing black bear baits for the lawful purpose of hunting black bears under state law and regulation.
3. Any Federal or State officer placing baits to capture animals for research or management purposes as part of their official duties.

These restrictions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. This Order supersedes any previous Order prohibiting or restricting the same, or similar, acts in the above-described areas. 

Done this day 14th of June, 2016

JOSEPH G. ALEXANDER
Forest Supervisor
Shoshone National Forest

PATRICIA O' CONNOR
Forest Supervisor
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Any violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)). 

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