Bear sightings can be tough to predict, even at Jellystone Park.

But campers at the North Texas Jellystone Park in Burleson now have a new tool to help them increase their odds of having a Yogi Bear encounter: a text message program that alerts them on a real time basis to bear sightings anywhere in the 74-acre park, according to an announcement from the park.

“The response has been tremendous,” said General Manager Steve Stafford, who started providing the texting program after a few guests complained that they had stayed overnight at the campground and hadn’t seen Yogi Bear or Boo Boo.

“On surveys we had some people saying they never saw the bears even though the bears had come out eight times the day they were with us,” Stafford said.

Bear appearances are noted in schedules that are provided to guests when they arrive at the park. But the texting program alerts everyone who signs up for it to bear sightings whenever they occur in the park.

The texting program is also used to remind guests about signup opportunities for different activities in the park, such as arts and crafts or paintball, and to promote sales of certain food and beverage items.

But these are only the latest uses of the texting program. Stafford said the park originally used it for public safety, to alert guests of pool closures due to nearby electrical storms, or to remind guests about the importance of using sunscreen and hydrating their children while they are involved in activities outdoors. It was only later that park managers recognized they could use the same texting program to alert guests to bear sightings and other activities in the park as well as last minute venue changes for park activities.

The texting program is provided by Tatango, a marketing company that offers targeted text and voice message services.

The North Texas Jellystone also features numerous onsite attractions, including a catch and release lake stocked with large mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish and hybrid bluegill; a 10,000 square foot maze; a laser tag field; and an air zone with inflatable slides and jumpers designed for children ages 6 to 14 as well as children under 5.
The North Texas Jellystone Park also owns and operates the Pirates Cove waterpark, which is located next door. More information is available at www.northtexasjellystone.com.