EBS STAFF
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is calling this year one of the worst on record for natural food failures as bears move into communities to forage for food.
A July 29 FWP press release shared news about berry crops across the state, including long-time FWP bear conflict specialist Jamie Jonkel’s impression of the season.
“This year is panning out to be one of the worst natural food failure years on record,” Jonkel stated in the release. “Our regional bear team is working around the clock, and we are asking the public to be patient and to please be diligent with containing all attractants.”
The lack of crop is bringing bears closer to communities and homes. This means homeowners need to be vigilant about bear attractants around the residence. Items like garbage cans, bird feeders and pet food are typical targets for bears, FWP explained. Chicken coops and small livestock are also at risk for bear conflict, and people can learn how to secure many attractants on the FWP website.
“If you have backyard livestock like chickens or goats, it is critical that you have them secured with hot-ground/multi-wire electric fence and FWP can help if you have questions,” Jonkel stated. Jonkel works in the Missoula region, where FWP staff have responded to 250 black bear-related incidents in two months.
“The reality is that securing attractants is both a personal responsibility and a neighborhood and community obligation. If only one person in a neighborhood ignores unsecured attractants, that can lead to problems for everyone,” the FWP release stated.
What to do about attractants, bear conflicts
People dealing with bear concerns should reach out to FWP as soon as they can, as FWP staff can assist in securing attractants and assessing properties.
Follow these tips from FWP to reduce bear conflicts:
- Store garbage and recycling in bear-resistant containers and indoors
- Keep pet and livestock food indoors and remove bird feeders
- Clean barbeque grills after use
- Pick your backyard fruit immediately when ripe and consider electric fencing around fruit trees, gardens and compost piles
- Secure vulnerable backyard livestock like chickens, goats and sheep with an electric fence
