COEUR d'ALENE - The Loch Haven hills area in Hayden has a problem with garbage. The local bears find it delicious.

Dennis Cockrum and his neighbors have been visited by black bears on multiple occasions in the last month.

"They're climbing over fences, getting into garbage and pooping in our yards," Cockrum said. "They visited us on Thursday. Friday we called the sheriff. Sunday the bears were back."

Cockrum said the bears are becoming more brazen by the day.

He said he has contacted Fish and Game which informed him that keeping trash picked up and properly stored may deter the bears' activities.

"My grandkids play in the yard in the evenings and it's not safe," Cockrum said. "I hate to see them put down, it's just bears being bears, but I think they should tranquilize them and move them out of the area."

Jim Hayden, Fish and Game regional wildlife manager, said his office receives around 100 calls per year where people come in contact with bears.

"We can only get to so many folks and it takes time," Hayden said, "but we are actively working on the problem."

Hayden said the late spring delayed berry development in the area, which forced bears to expand their normal feeding grounds. He said as berries come to fruit, the bears will most likely move away from residential areas.

"In the meantime, there are a couple things people can do to help," Hayden said. "Avoid feeding your animals outside, keep your trash in the garage and, if you have fruit trees in the yard, pick them often."