02/07/2026
We’ve begun to get a massive increase in bear conflict calls and we’d like to leave a few helpful reminders for folks.
Bears are extremely food-driven animals and gaining access to food sources near your home will give them a reason to linger. Please ensure that all attractants around your home are properly secured. It is normal for them to pass through your property. If they cannot access easy food sources, they typically move on.
We can’t have bears associating people with food rewards. Bears are incredibly intelligent animals and will return to spots where they have gained access to easy calories. Bird feeders, chicken coops, pet food, greasy BBQs, potting soil/compost, and garbage are all easy calories for a bear. Their sense of smell is amazingly strong and we have to properly secure these attractants.
We also get a lot of requests to relocate bears once they have gained access to attractants. This is not a long-term solution, unfortunately. Bears do not stay where they are placed and if attractants are still available, another bear will simply take its place. We have to focus on eliminating access to food sources.
Here’s a list of things you can do to help keep bears wild and your family and neighbors safe:
• Secure all attractants and scented items inside a sturdy enclosure or bear resistant containers: human/pet food, livestock feed, toiletries, fertilizers, cleaning products, gas cans/petroleum based products.
• Put up electric fencing around all bird coops and livestock enclosures.
• Secure garbage in a sturdy enclosure away from windows and doors.
• If you have a certified bear resistant container, make sure it is not overflowing and is securely latched. Ideally, only put it out the morning of pick up. Remember: these are bear-resistant, not bear-proof. If given enough time, bears will eventually break into them.
• Take down all bird feeders and suet cakes.
• Store all pet food and livestock feed within the house or a sturdy enclosure (not on porches).
• Turn on radios at night to talk shows in barns, coops, and garages to give the idea of human presence.
• Invest in some motion sensor alarms that help in deterring bears.
• After you use your grill, turn it up high (500 degrees) for 5 minutes to burn off any excess food and grease. Make sure to empty the grease trap.
• Do not let the bear hang out, it needs to learn that being around homes and people is not safe. From a safe place, yell at it and make loud noises (ex: bang pots and pans, car alarms, air horns etc.).
• Move any freezers or refrigerators that are outside into a sturdy enclosed building.
• Always carry bear spray when out recreating. Know how it works and how to remove the safety. Keep an eye on expiration date. Project your voice, as the human voice is the best deterrent.
As always, we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to call the FWP Bear Manager for Lincoln and Sanders Co at 406-291-1320. We are happy to assist in securing attractants and identifying why bears are lingering. We also have an electric fence loaner program and are happy to walk you through the steps to create long-term solutions for securing your attractants.
Thank you and have a wonderful and safe summer!
