The bears are out – Residents asked to secure attractants

SEELEY LAKE – There have been numerous reports of bear tracks and sightings in the area this spring. Last week Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bear Biologist James Jonkel received reports of two black bears checking out residences on the Double Arrow, a grizzly checking out a residence at Clearwater Junction and another that got into garbage on Boy Scout Road. Jonkel reminds residents to properly store all attractants to keep the bears from becoming problem bears that need to be removed.

Jonkel received four reports of a large male black bear and a smaller black bear on the Double Arrow Ranch roaming from house to house looking for bird feeders. While he did not think they got a reward, they are around and people need to put their feeders away and properly store all feed including dog food and livestock feed.

"Bird feeders are just like a death nail for bears," said Jonkel. "Every sunflower seed is like a nail in their coffin."

Jonkel said there was a grizzly reported at Clearwater Junction that entered a residence. The bear found empty garbage cans and fuel barrels but did not get a reward.

On Monday, a different grizzly bear got into a tarped trailer that was full of garbage on the north end of Boy Scout Road. After cleaning up the mess, the trash was retarped. The grizzly returned and got into the trailer again Tuesday night.

Jonkel said FWP is working with the residents to remove the garbage. There are collared grizzlies in the area and FWP is monitoring them.

"This is the first time [for this grizzly] that we know of but we have a bear starting up," said Jonkel. "I'm sure there are a lot of people with big piles of garbage and they need to deal with it."

Jonkel said that removal and containment of the attractant is the first step. Trapping and removal is the last step.

"The bear is not the problem, the attractant is the problem," said Jonkel. "Once a bear establishes a track record, it is pretty much a death sentence for them."

While Jonkel recommends bear resistant garbage cans, they are expensive and in a couple of years of use they are dysfunctional from the wear and tear from the garbage trucks.

"The best way, if you can't keep your garbage in a garage or in a horse trailer is to build a really nice garbage enclosure out of metal," said Jonkel. "It is a perfect solution."

Enclosures allow for cans of any size and shape, loose garbage bags and overflow from the cans if the lid does not close. While wood can be used, it increases the chance that a bear could tear into it.

Jonkel said enclosures should be placed away from the house and not next to a dog house or child's play area.

"If everyone kept a clean ship and there were no food attractant rewards, then the bear's behavior never develops. We only have these few incidents so far but if people are going to be keeping all their crap out, they are going to be teaching a bunch of bears new bad habits," said Jonkel. "Let's not teach them what garbage and bird feeders are in the first place and then we don't have a problem. It is all about preventative management."

For more information visit missoulabears.org. Updates about bears and mountain lions are posted and provides the most current information. There is also information about community resources available to help reduce human-bear conflicts.

To report a problem residence or business call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Tips are anonymous and can be eligible for a reward.