NORTH IDAHO — Idaho Fish and Game says recent grizzly bear sightings in the Panhandle region prove a good reminder about how to live responsibly in bear country.
According to IDFG, black bears and grizzly bears are native to the region and are driven by their powerful sense of smell. With wild berries ripening across the region, these bears are on the move in search of their next meal.
Unsecured garbage bins, chickens, pet food, compost bins and even barbecue grills can draw bears to your home. Once a bear associates homes or camps with food, it often returns, which can put both people and bears at risk.
IDFG says bears that find food near homes may lose their wariness of people. Now is the perfect time to secure your bins and any other items that may attract bears to keep them moving through.
If you live in bear country, here are some tips to protect your home this summer:
Store garbage in bear-resistant containersRemove bird feeders completely when bears are not hibernatingKeep grills clean and stored inside if possible. Don’t leave pet food or coolers outside or on porches.Avoid putting meat, dairy or grease in compost piles.Use electric fencing to protect your chicken coops, beehives and livestock enclosures.
For those camping in bear country, there are tips you can take to protect yourself as well:
Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.Throw garbage away in the provided containers. Do not bury or burn garbage.Properly store food in bear boxes, vehicles, or other bear-resistant containers.
Hikers should carry bear spray and know how to use it, hike in larger groups, be alert, make noise to alert bears of their presence and view wildlife from a distance.
For more information, click here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
