STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY STEVE POWERS

Idaho Fish and Game are again asking Wood River Valley residents to batten down the hatches following an uptick of black bear sightings throughout the valley.

Even though summer has a couple months left on it, bears are actively foraging and working to pack on fat before winter. And some are looking for easy meals in residential areas, such as Warm Springs in Ketchum and Hailey.

A bear’s sense of smell is seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s and they can detect scents from miles away, said Kenzie Baratti of Idaho Fish and Game. That incredible ability helps them survive—but it also draws them into places they don’t belong, especially when human food sources are easily accessible.

They’re easily attracted to common household items, including fermenting garbage and bird seed and hummingbird feeders. And, once they’ve been rewarded, they’ll keep coming back.

Letting a bear become a regular visitor—even by doing nothing—sends the message that it’s welcome, said Baratti. When bears get comfortable around homes, they begin to lose their natural fear of people. Bears that have become food-conditioned cannot simply be moved. Often, they’ll return to the same spot or begin searching for food in a new neighborhood. When that happens, Idaho Fish and Game may be forced to euthanize the bear for public safety reasons.

It can also be a little unnerving to think that a mother bear might follow a bear cub into the neighborhood, said West Ketchum resident Steve Powers, who had a bear cub visit his yard twice this past week after it discovered his bird feeder.

Baratti suggests several steps to prevent conflicts before they start:

Secure your garbage – Use a bear-resistant container if possible. Otherwise, keep garbage indoors or in a secure location until the morning of pickup.

Remove bird feeders – During summer, birds do not need bird feeders since they have plenty of natural food sources. A single pound of black oil sunflower seeds can provide a bear with 2,500 calories; 32 ounces of hummingbird nectar offers 3,200 calories. These easy calories can quickly draw in a bear.

Manage fruit trees: Harvest fruit promptly when ripe. Pick up and dispose of fallen fruit around trees.

Protect pet and livestock food – Never leave food outdoors where a bear can access it.

Use electric fencing – Protect chicken coops, beehives, and compost piles with electric fencing.

If you see a bear—act immediately (and safely)

Hazing the bear by yelling, clapping, banging pots and pans or using airhorns can send the message that it is not welcome and preserve the wild nature of bears that is essential for their survival. Bears are intelligent and can quickly learn which areas to avoid.

For more information about bears, contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.