BONNERS FERRY — Come learn the basics of how to live and recreate safely in bear country on Sept. 28 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds.  

If you live in North Idaho, you live in bear country, plain and simple. The region is home to both black and grizzly bears and living and recreating safely in their midst requires intentionality and specific training and skills. 

To help with this, Idaho Fish and Game is happy to offer a free “North Idaho Bear Fair” at the Boundary County Fairgrounds on Sept. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. 

The event is free, and registration is not required. Free food will be provided for those who attend, and folks can enter to win free prizes. 

During the event, participants will: 

Receive bear spray training using inert bear spray canisters on Fish and Game’s remote-controlled charging grizzly bear. Anyone who participates in the bear spray training will receive a free canister of bear spray while supplies last. 

Learn the basics of how to protect livestock, chicken coops, animals and beehives with electric fencing. 

Have the opportunity to use a large cider press to make fresh apple cider. Please bring your own apples and containers. 

Learn about Fish and Game’s livestock carcass pick-up program. 

Learn about safely camping in bear country. 

And much more! 

North Idaho Bear Fair is a partnership among Fish and Game, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, The U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Services, the Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

For more information or if you have questions, please contact the Panhandle Regional office. 

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