Before I get started, I just want to point out that this is not a current photo. This bear was photographed several years ago in April from my car and is actually the same bear in my “Welcome to Yellowstone” photo. But grizzlies are emerging from their dens as a male grizzly was seen in Yellowstone National Park on March 7 by park service personnel doing a fly-over of Pelican Valley. Big male grizzlies are the first to emerge, usually this time of year, and search out food sources such as winterkill carcasses. Younger bears and females start to emerge after and females with cubs are typically the last to come out of their winter dens. I personally have never seen a bear in March though I have seen tracks. My earliest grizzly sightings usually happen in April as was the case in the photo above. As a rule, when I’m out photographing, snowshoeing, or skiing, starting March 1st, I begin carrying bear spray with me. Having it in a backpack or some other inaccessible place really makes no sense as it’s important to keep it where you can reach it in an instant. I have mine hanging from the backpack strap just off my chest by my shoulder.