COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – A black bear recently took a stroll through parts of Coeur d’Alene, causing quite the stir and lots of engagement on the popular North Idaho News Facebook page before being tranquilized and relocated by Idaho Fish and Game officials on Thursday, July 25.
Although the bear was not aggressive and had no known interaction with livestock or humans, many of the Facebook commenters were worried that the cub would be harmed or killed.
“Leave this animal alone,” stated a profile with the name Cheryl Smith. “I don’t want to hear that it has been shot out of that tree, you moved into its home deal with it.”
Immediately killing a bear is not the way officials in Idaho typically handle situations in which wildlife enters the spaces that humans occupy, in fact, great efforts are made to preserve and relocate these animals.
One woman shared, “When our family owned Warm Lake Lodge, US Forest Service had a safe steel trap container that they caught bears in and could safely relocate them.”
Another woman noted that “if all these houses would stop being built in our beautiful woods in North Idaho, all of these deer, bear, and other wildlife would not be coming to town as much.”
Perhaps this woman is unaware that most of Idaho is considered “bear country.” Regardless, the potential for human-bear interaction in Kootenai County is a reality that residents and visitors should be prepared to encounter.
Idaho Fish and Game shared tips for how to minimize human-bear conflicts and they center around food and garbage storage.
“With this hot, dry summer, we’re starting to see a pretty significant increase in bear complaints, and most of them are due to improper storage of attractants like chicken feed, and garbage cans left out,” said Jason Husseman, wildlife biologist for Idaho Fish and Game in Salmon. “Bears are very opportunistic and once they find a food reward, they will be back for more.”
According to a July 25 press release, bears are always on the lookout for food sources, spending up to 20 hours a day foraging for food. The beckoning scents of garbage, barbeques, pet food and other animal feed, compost, and ripe fruit can quickly bring in a foraging bear from miles away.
Officials remind residents that most conflicts can be avoided by being extra mindful of their food and garbage, especially in bear county, which includes most of Idaho and highlights these preventative measures to minimize bear conflicts at home.
- Keep garbage in bear-resistant containers or in a closed building.
- Empty and remove bird feeders during the summer months when songbirds are able to forage on food provided by nature.
- Clean up fruit that has fallen in your yard. Rotting fruit will attract bears as well as raccoons and skunks.
- Feed pets inside or during daylight hours; don’t leave pet food or food scraps outside of your home or camp, as it can attract bears, raccoons and skunks.
- Store horse and livestock grains inside closed barns.
- Keep barbeque grills stored in closed buildings.
There are also specific tips for around a campsite.
- Keep a clean camp. Store all food, garbage and even toothpaste, soap, lotions and bug spray in your vehicle or camper. If food storage in a vehicle is not possible, hang in a tree 10 to 15 feet off the ground, at least 100 yards from your campsite. Make sure that the bag is at least 4 feet from the tree trunk. Ideally, campers are encouraged to have a bear-resistant food canister to store their camp groceries.
- Never cook in or near a tent or keep scented products in a tent.
- Don’t bury food scraps, pour out cooking grease, or leave anything that might be tasty on the ground or in the fire pit. Also, store barbecue grills or other smelly cooking gear inside your vehicle or within a sealed bear resistant container.
- Never leave food outside or in an unattended or improperly stored cooler. A cooler is not bear-resistant. Remember that pet food can also attract bears to your campsite. Be sure and secure any pet food after feeding your pet.
Idaho Fish and Game notes that “black bears are typically shy and unaggressive, but the possibility of a bold bear near your campsite may increase if a bear loses its fear of humans because it has learned to associate food with campsites. These bears can become nuisances or even threats.”
They warn that live-trapping and moving a bear does not always solve the problem, and bears that are conditioned to human food can leave Fish and Game officials with no choice but to put the bear down to ensure public safety.
“If a bear visits your campsite, make as much noise as possible such as yelling, waving your arms, or banging on pots and pans to quickly scare the bear away,” advises Idaho Fish and Game. “Be sure to give the bear room to easily escape the area.”
For more in-depth information on how to avoid conflicts with bears, including tips for hunters, campers, hikers and homeowners, visit Be Bear Aware.
