Living with Bears
While they are hardly a thought in the winter cold, it's worth planning ahead to limit bear attractants for when bears emerge from their dens in the spring.
2015 Winterby Brad Bauer
MSU Extension
Other authors: Claire Gower
Spring breaks the winter dormancy for many species that have stayed in Montana for winter. Similar to wildflowers sprouting from the soil, bears will be emerging from their dens.
Montana is home to both black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). We share our forests, our fields, and possibly our backyards with bears. In the spring, the emerging bears will begin to forage for grass, roots, and winter-killed animals. They might also look to your property for food. Black bears and grizzlies can learn to associate humans with food. This familiarity can lead to confrontations, which can be unpleasant and dangerous for bears, humans, and property. Human-bear encounters are becoming increasingly common. More humans are living in bear habitat near woods and forests. Likewise, more bears are traveling into rangelands near rural subdivisions and towns. As you prepare your property for spring, take a moment to consider how you can live with bears.
An important step to living with bears is to properly store and dispose of attractants. Bears are omnivorous, meaning they opportunistically eat both plants and animals. Attractants on your property can be very tempting and can quickly condition a bear to an easy food reward. This puts the bear at risk of conflict with people. Listed below are several reminders of common bear attractants around homes. Reducing these attractants and encouraging your neighbors to do the same will minimize chance encounters and possible harm to both humans and bears.
• Don't feed wildlife: Don't put out salt blocks, grain, or other foods to attract wild animals. Montana law prohibits feeding game animals, including bears.
• Bird feeders: Avoid using bird feeders from March through November; birds don't need supplemental feed at this time of year and bird seed is irresistible to bears.
• Human garbage: Human garbage is a primary bear attractant. Garbage should be stored where bears can neither smell nor gain access to it, either in bear-proof containers or inside buildings.
• Human food: All human food is a bear attractant. Barbecue grills with food and grease, as well as cooking utensils, leftovers, and used plates and cups attract bears.
• Pets and pet food: Avoid feeding pets outside at dawn or dusk when bears are most active and do not leave pet food unattended at any time. Pay particular attention to pet food bowls if dogs or cats are kept outside.
• Livestock: Consider using an electric fence to deter bears during lambing and calving seasons. Store all animal feed where it is inaccessible to bears.
• Carcasses: Remove carcasses of livestock, rabbits, rodents, and harvested game from around houses, barns, and sheds.
• Beehives: Beehives, honey, and bee larvae are especially attractive to bears. Surround beehives with electric fence.
• Compost piles: Composting meat, fish, oil, dairy, kitchen waste, and fruit are all odorous and can easily lure a bear to your home or yard.
• Lawns: Grasses, dandelions, and clover are natural bear foods.
• Fruit trees and gardens: Bears crave fruits and vegetables. Pick fruits and vegetables as they ripen and plant your garden as far away from your house as possible.
• Vehicles: Don't leave food or garbage in the bed of pickup trucks, including food in coolers. Also, don’t leave food in camper trailers if large windows or doors are to be left open; bears may enter camper trailers through screen doors and windows.
• Porches and building entrances: Bears sometimes enter buildings if lured inside by food. Refrigerators and freezers should be locked where there is the potential for a bear to access them.
The other component to living with bears is human behavior and awareness. Familiarize yourself with bear activity in your area. Ask neighbors and local personnel of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks about bear sightings and typical bear behavior. Carry and know how to use bear pepper spray and, if possible, work and hike in groups. Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of bears. Recognize scat, diggings, shredded logs, and turned over rocks. Pay particular attention if you smell or see a carcass and an abundance of scavengers such as ravens, magpies, coyotes, etc. Make your presence known through talking, singing, or other means.
Now that you have yourself and your property ready, how do you know what type of bear is in your neighborhood? Color is not a guarantee. Some grizzlies are dark and some black bears can be very light. Look at the bear’s face, shoulder, and claws. Grizzlies have a dished face in profile, a prominent shoulder hump, and long claws – usually at least 2 inches in length. Black bears have tall ears and a straight face in profile, no prominent shoulder hump, and claws that are typically shorter than 1½ inches long.
If you do encounter a bear, respect their space. Stay calm, speak softly, and do not make eye contact. If you feel threatened, back away slowly. Have bear pepper spray ready at your hip; do not keep it inside a backpack. If a bear charges, remain standing and direct your pepper spray at the bear. Hopefully the bear “bluff charges” and runs past you. As a last resort, curl up in a ball or lay down flat. Use your hands to protect your neck and face. Montana law allows you to kill a bear to defend yourself, another person, or a domestic dog, however, using a weapon on a bear does not guarantee your safety. Report all violent bear encounters to local law enforcement and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
By reducing the attractants on your property and by being aware of your surroundings, both you and Montana’s bears can have a wonderful spring and summer ahead. For more information, visit: http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/bears/