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Back 40: Fall is an important time to be Bear Smart in Big Sky
Published
10 years agoon
By Kris Inman
Explore Big Sky Contributor
Winter is around the corner and bears are gearing up for hibernation in southwest Montana. Fall is the most important time for bears to gain weight that will carry them through the winter denning season, and they can gain up to 35 percent of their body weight during this time. They are busy acquiring resources, are active longer each day, moving in response to seasonally available forage, and are more likely to come in contact with people.
Bears hibernate because they’re not well adapted for moving in deep snow. They have heavy bodies with small feet, unlike the snowshoe-like feet of lynx, wolverine and snowshoe hares. Food is less available and difficult to find in winter, and dens offer a secure place for birthing cubs. Bears generally give birth in January or February to an average of two cubs.
Bear cubs are born hairless, with their eyes closed, and weigh between 6 and 10 ounces. They need to gain weight quickly – as much as 10 times their body weight by the time they leave the den in mid-March to April. The energy cost of lactation is an added stress to female bears and is another reason why acquiring as much food in the fall is very important.
Grills, coolers, pet foods, birdfeeders, gardens and fruit trees are other major attractants for bears. When bears are in hyperphagia – or hyperactive appetite – they are likely to be found seeking food sources they normally wouldn’t, and are more likely to have negative encounters near human property.
If you live in bear habitat you need to be extra diligent about not attracting bears this time of year. This will keep you, your family, your property, and the bears safe. Trash is the No. 1 attractant so the easiest and least expensive solution is to secure your trash in bear-resistant containers. All dumpsters in Big Sky are bear resistant and curbside bear-resistant trash cans will be available in October from Republic Services. In West Yellowstone, all commercial dumpsters are required to bear resistant and bear resistant curbside trash cans are voluntary. In Bozeman, bear resistant dumpsters are not required and bear resistant curbside trash cans are voluntary. Contact Republic Services if you are interested in bear resistant trash can service.
Using these specialized trash cans is the first step to deterring bears, but using them correctly is equally important. Dumpsters and cans that are overflowing, are not latched properly, or are damaged are no longer bear resistant. As part of its service plan, Republic Services includes all repairs, replacements or adjustments to your service plan – including seasonal changes to service dates – free of charge.
If you live in Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, Big Sky Town Center or the Big Sky Owner’s Association you will be receiving a Kodiak Certified Bear-Resistant trash can this fall based on proactive homeowners association resolutions requiring their use. These cans will be available in mid fall and Republic Services will schedule a week in which they will pick up your old can and replace it with the new one.
If you don’t live in one of the HOAs that requires bear-resistant cans, you can voluntarily sign up for bear-resistant garbage service by contacting Republic Services or Dawn Smith at BSOA. Consider asking your HOA board to require bear-resistant trash can service and join in Big Sky’s Bear Smart strategy. Being a Bear Smart community will make a real difference in keeping you and your property safe, and avoiding the need to relocate or euthanize bears that become habituated to garbage.
Kris Inman is a wildlife biologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and coordinates Bear Smart Big Sky. Contact her at (406) 682-3437 or kinman@wcs.org to learn more about the program. For more information about bear-resistant trash containers call Republic Services at (406) 586-0606.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
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born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm