STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is giving away free bear spray to Wood River Valley residents. The only catch is that you attend a free presentation about living safely with wildlife and that you RSVP for the event you attend.
The presentations will be held:
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at Ketchum’s Rotary Park
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, in the Minnie Moore Room of Hailey’s Community Campus
- 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at Ketchum’s Rotary Park
Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs to the Ketchum presentations.
The presentations are meant to address the human-wildlife conflicts that are centered around food-conditioned black bears and mountain lions in the Wood River Valley.
Wildlife biologists with Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation will offer personal safety information, and tools to keep people and pets safe. They will discuss the biology and behavior of black bears and mountain lions and will offer a hands-on training in the use of bear spray.
One cannister of bear spray will be given per family.
Pre-register with the Magic Valley Regional Office of Idaho Fish and Game at 208-324-4359.