Spring is the season for preventing bear conflicts

It’s officially spring. Bears are waking up, which means it’s time for people to property secure attractants. Bears are simple; they are extremely food driven. Food anchors them, but if you take away their food source, they will move on. You may have bears pass through your property, but the important thing is that you do not give them a reason to stay.

In the spring, bears come out of their dens and feast on grass. It has a lot of nutrients and helps aid their digestive tracts after months of not eating. Bears are omnivores and here in Northwest Montana a bear’s diet consists heavily of vegetation, but they are opportunistic and will eat whatever they can find. This is why it is very important for people to secure garbage and take down birdfeeders.

Birdseed is a major attractant for bears. Bears are highly intelligent and they learn it’s OK to go on porches with birdfeeders because they will get a food reward. The next time they see a porch, they will likely check it out because we taught them porches are where they can find food. 

This can lead to more bad behaviors, jeopardize human safety and, in the end, may lead to the bear’s demise. So please take bird feeders down when most bears are out, from April through November.

Please properly store garbage inside a sturdy building or a certified bear resistant container. Even if you have a bear resistant container, it is still best to store it inside until the morning of pick up. Bears are smart and strong. If you give them enough time, there is a good chance they will get into things. Keeping your bear resistant container inside gives bears less of an opportunity to get into the trash. 

If your bear resistant container is overfilled, it is no longer bear resistant. Please do not overfill them and make sure they are securely latched. If the latch is broken, please contact the City of Whitefish at [email protected] or 406-863-2456.  

If you have a bear on your property getting into things, please make it leave. We want to teach bears boundaries, and that being around people and homes is not OK. Even if you like bears, letting them stay gives them more opportunities to explore your neighborhood and potentially get into trouble.  

From a safe place, like inside your home, yell at the bear and simultaneously make loud noises. You can bang pots and pans, set off car alarms, use air horns, etc. We want them to associate people with loud and uncomfortable sounds. Refrain from using guns as a scare tactic, as we have dealt with many gun-related accidents.  

The human voice is often the best deterrent, as most bears do not want to deal with people. If the bear continues to hang around after you’ve removed all attractants and you’ve tried making it leave, please call your local bear specialists. 

Thank you for doing your part to keep our bears wild and our community safe. 

Justine Vallieres is the bear conflict management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1.

Springtime to do list:  

• Secure all attractants and scented items like human/pet food, livestock feed, toiletries, fertilizers, cleaning products, gas cans/ petroleum-based products. 

• Put up electric fencing around all bird coops and livestock. 

• Secure garbage in a sturdy enclosure away from windows. 

• If you have a certified bear resistant container, make sure it is not overflowing and is securely latched.  

• Take down all bird feeders and suet cakes. 

• Store all pet food and livestock feed within the house or a sturdy enclosure, not on porches.  

• Turn on radios at night to talk shows in barns, coops, and garages to give the idea of human presence.  

• Invest in some motion sensor alarms that help in deterring bears.  

• After you use your grill, turn it up high to burn off any excess food and grease. Make sure to empty the grease trap.  

• Do not let the bear hang out; it needs to learn that being around homes and people is not safe. 

• Move any freezers or refrigerators that are outside into a sturdy enclosed building.