By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Monday, August 3, 2020 – 4:04 PM MDT

A food-conditioned black bear had to be euthanized in the Wood River Valley after repeatedly getting food rewards from residential garbage containers, bird seed and beehives.

To protect public safety and private property Fish and Game had to euthanize a juvenile black bear on Monday August 3 that had become food-conditioned to residential garbage, bird feed, and honey from beehives. Reports of a bear getting into residential garbage in the East Fork area had been received by Fish and Game for the last several weeks. Over this time, the bear quickly learned that residential garbage and bird food is readily available, especially when natural food might be in short supply due to very dry conditions in south-central Idaho.

Conservation officers who investigated the reports observed residential garbage containers stored outside of homes and often left at curbside the day prior to pick-up, and bird feeders hanging around homes. A large number of beehives were also observed.

Bird feeders should be taken down, or moved out of reach of bears during summer and fall months.

Brandyn Hurd, Senior Conservation Office in the Ketchum area said, “After receiving reports of bears in the East Fork area we immediately contacted area residents and urged them to store their garbage containers in a secure area, like a garage, and to take down bird feeders which provide a steady food reward to bears. Unfortunately, this bear continued to receive a food reward from residential garbage containers and also learned that beehives can provide a high-calorie food source.”

Over the last several days, the bear damaged several beehives resulting in thousands of dollars of damage. After the initial incident, the owner took efforts to safe-guard hives by placing an electric fence around them. If installed properly, electric fences have been shown to be a very effective deterrent to bears; however, in this instance the bear was not adequately deterred from the area, likely due to the food-conditioning from multiple human sources.

Residents are strongly encouraged to store all residential garbage containers inside a garage or locked shed. Garbage containers should only be put out the morning of pick-up, not the night before. Unsecured garbage containers can also lead to other wildlife receiving a food reward, such as skunks and raccoons, which are prey to larger predators such as mountain lions.

Bears are extremely adaptable and can learn very quickly to associate people with food. The presence of unsecured food sources of human origin such as residential garbage, bird seed, dog food, beehives, domestic poultry, or fruit trees have long been documented as sources of human-bear conflicts. Food-conditioned bears can rapidly lose their fear of humans, resulting in bears approaching people. The outcome is that a once wild bear has now become a threat to human safety.

Leaving garbage or pet food unsecured can teach bears habits that ultimately put lives at risk of both humans and bears. A food-conditioned bear may get aggressive when they are not fed. Bears that frequent neighborhoods or communities because of the reliable source of unsecured garbage increases the chances of negative encounters with people or pets, and often results in bears being euthanized.

A popular and well-intentioned belief by many is that relocating bears is the best method to deal with food-conditioned bears. Repeated efforts across the western U.S. and Canada have shown that moving food-conditioned bears doesn’t often end as hoped, such as when a relocated food-conditioned bear quickly returns to the same location where it was originally trapped, or it continues to be a nuisance bear in their new location. And, the act of trapping and anesthetizing bears can put both the Fish and Game crew, as well as the bear, at risk.    

For more information about how to live safely around black bears contact your local Fish and Game office.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 – 3:30 PM MDT

Wildlife sightings in the Wood River Valley are becoming more common, which requires local residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings to avoid an unwanted encounter.

Recent reports of black bears and mountain lions along trails in the Wood River Valley are a good reminder that no matter the season, wildlife lives nearby. No negative interactions with any wildlife has occurred, but residents are cautioned to be alert and aware of their surroundings when outside. Wildlife such as black bears or mountain lions can be encountered at any time when using trails or camping throughout south-central Idaho.

Over the past several weeks a non-aggressive black bear has been seen several times by hikers on the Adams Gulch Trail north of Ketchum. While this bear is reported to be non-aggressive, black bears can be unpredictable and should never be approached.

Black bears are common throughout south-central Idaho

When hiking or recreating in bear habitat, the best thing to do is make enough noise to not surprise a bear. Black bears are typically very shy and secretive and will attempt to leave the area well before a person gets too close.

If a black bear is encountered on a trail, stay calm and never run. Bears are extremely fast runners and can quickly overtake a person trying to run away. Make sure the bear sees you. Often bears will stand up to get a better view, which is typically not an aggressive posture but rather one of curiosity.

Hikers should:

• Make as much noise as possible while slowing backing away.
• Always keep your eyes on the bear.
• Make yourself look as large as possible.
• Never drop a backpack – especially if it has food in it. Never give a bear a food reward by allowing it to get a meal from a dropped backpack.
• Bears can easily climb trees so don’t try to escape from a bear by climbing a tree.
• Allow the bear plenty of room to move away by providing them an escape route.
• Carry bear spray and have it readily available. Do not carry it in your backpack.

If a sow with cubs is encountered, do not get between the sow and her cubs. The odds of an attack become much more likely if the sow perceives a person as a threat to her cubs.

If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. If unable to escape the attack, fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle.

On Sunday July 5, 2020 a mountain lion was sighted in the vicinity of the dog park along Warm Springs Creek. The lion did not show any aggressive tendencies and left the area a short time after being seen. There were several people and dogs in the area who were alerted to the situation by a Blaine County Sheriff deputy.

Mountain lions are year-round residents of the Wood River Valley. While a sighting during the day is not typical behavior, lions in the Valley have been seen repeatedly during the day over the last several months. Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings when walking on area trails.

Mountain lion sightings continue to be reported in the Wood River Valley

When walking dogs, residents are strongly encouraged to keep them on leash at all times. Unleashed pets can be viewed as prey if they were to run towards, or away from a mountain lion.

If a mountain lion is encountered a person should never run away since it could trigger the chase and catch instincts of a lion.

• Never turn your back to a mountain lion. Always face them while making yourself look as large as you can. Yell loudly, but don’t scream since a scream may mimic the sound of a wounded or injured animal.
• Slowly back away while maintaining eye contact with the lion.
• Carrying safety equipment is always appropriate such as bear spray, a noise device, and if you walk when it’s dark, carry a very bright flashlight.
• If you are attacked, fight back!

For more information or to report sightings and encounters contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 during business hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. If after hours, local conservation officers can be reached by calling the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Reports can also be made to the Blaine County Sheriff at (208) 788-5555.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 – 3:34 PM MDT

Black bears in the Wood River Valley are already finding food rewards when roaming in neighborhoods, which can quickly lead to a food conditioned bear. Residents are urged to secure their household garbage to keep bears from getting a quick meal.

Residents south of Ketchum have been reporting black bears roaming their neighborhoods and getting into garbage cans and bird feeders. Since late April, four reports have come into Fish and Game about bears getting food rewards from residential garbage cans being left outside, and from bird seed and hummingbird feeders.

A black bear obtaining food from a bird feeder.

Last year, the first reports from the Wood River Valley about bears getting into neighborhood trash cans did not occur until mid-July.

“Our low snowpack, and very dry spring conditions seems to have brought bears into neighborhoods much earlier than we would typically see,” according to Senior Conservation Office Brandyn Hurd, “these bears, using their incredible sense of smell, are attracted to area neighborhoods because some residents are leaving their garbage cans unsecured, where they are easy targets for bears looking to get a quick meal.”

Don’t wait to manage your garbage until it’s too late for the bear
Residents are again asked to keep their garbage cans in a secure location until the morning of pick-up, such as a garage, or within a secure, enclosed space like a shed.

Garbage cans should not be left on the curbside the night before trash pick.

Unsecured residential and even business garbage containers are a major cause of bears becoming food habituated in the Wood River Valley.

A fed bear is a dead bear
It never ends well for the bear that becomes habituated to human food. We’ve all heard the saying “a fed bear is a dead bear” which is an unfortunate reality.

Public safety will always be the priority when bears find food rewards, no matter where they learn to find food, either around homes or businesses.

A bear that has developed a repeated habit of searching out and acquiring food from human sources is a threat to public safety, and will be trapped or darted with an anesthetizing drug, and then euthanized.

Relocation of a food habituated bear is not an option.

Often, the bear will return to where it was trapped because it knows there is a food reward waiting for them. Moving a food habituated bear might also just transfer the problem to another community or campground in the backcountry.

It’s up to everyone to keep our communities safe, while keeping bears, and all wildlife, wild.

For more information about how to manage your household or business garbage to protect bears please contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Monday, April 20, 2020 – 2:03 PM MDT

As black bears emerge from their winter hibernation, they will immediately begin to forage for food to replenish their fat reserves. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep bears wild, and not finding food rewards from household or business garbage cans.

It appears that we are well on our way towards spring. With plants starting to break their long winter dormancy, wildlife will soon be doing the same. Black bears that live in south-central Idaho and other parts of the state are waking up, and they will be very hungry.

After spending the winter months burning their fat reserves hibernating, black bears will immediately start looking for food, mostly spring grasses, but pretty much anything that can provide easy calories. During hibernation, boars (male) black bears usually lose 15-30% of their body weight, while sows with cubs can lose up to 40%. After emerging from hibernation, black bears are on a quest to eat between 15,000 – 20,000 calories a day to build up their fat reserves, which means they are constantly searching for food.

Bears can smell food for miles
After leaving their winter dens, bears begin to search out food sources by using their extremely keen sense of smell. In fact, it is believed that a bear’s sense of smell is seven times better than a bloodhound’s, and is often measured in miles.

That sense of smell is a great benefit for a bear. Being omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat, bears will eat anything they can find. And with the nose talent of a bear they will find just about anything. This can also be a great problem for a bear and for managers of wildlife. Using their amazing sense of smell, bears might be attracted to your neighborhood looking for a food reward which too often is that leftover food now fermenting in your garbage can. It’s not too early for all Wood River Valley and other Idaho residents to do your part to ensure that bears, as well as all wildlife, do not find a food reward around your house.

There’s a community opportunity for the Wood River Valley.
We all know it never ends well for the bear who becomes habituated to human food. We’ve all heard the saying “a fed bear is a dead bear” which is an unfortunate reality.

Public safety will always be the priority when bears find food rewards, leading them to become habituated to food found around houses and businesses.

A black bear checks out a bear-resistant garbage dumpster.

Every resident, and even our seasonal visitors needs to pledge to eliminate all chances for bears to get human food, ever!

Wood River Valley residents, as well as other Idahoans, pride themselves on living in close proximity to wildlife. However, that also means everyone shares the responsibility to keep wildlife wild. Allowing bears to become comfortable living in your neighborhood could be a death sentence – for the bear. While a bear in your yard might be exciting, you must do your part to keep the bear wild.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure that bears know that they don’t belong in neighborhoods.

When a bear learns that walking across your yard or deck is OK, it will continue that behavior. By doing nothing, the bear learns that people are harmless and that making daily walks around your house is both acceptable and potentially rewarding if they find food.

A black bear walks through a backyard

If you have a bear around your house, or in your neighborhood, and, if it can be done safely, immediate action is necessary to haze the bear to let it know it is not welcome. This can be done by loud yelling, clapping your hands, banging on pots and pans, basically anything to scare it away.

Bears are very smart. They can learn quickly where they are not welcome. Hazing can be a very effective tool to keep bears out of communities and neighborhoods and in doing so, you will help preserve the wild nature of bears that is essential for their survival.

Please don’t wait to manage your garbage until it’s too late.

The safety of Wood River Valley residents, visitors and all Idahoans will always be the primary concern for Fish and Game. A bear that has developed a repeated habit of searching out and acquiring food from human sources is a threat to public safety, and will be trapped or darted with an anesthetizing drug, and then euthanized.

Relocation of a food habituated bear is not an option.

Often, the bear returns to where it was trapped because it knows there is a food reward waiting for them. Moving this bear might also just transfer the problem to another community or campground in the backcountry.

Do your part to keep yourself, your neighbors and the bears of the Wood River Valley safe.

There are very simple things everyone can do to keep everyone safe and bears roaming the mountains where they belong.

• Where possible, use a bear resistant garbage container.
• Don’t put your garbage out until the morning of pickup, and until then, keep your garbage in a secure location, like a garage.
• Birds don’t actually need bird feeders to survive during the summer months because of an abundance of natural food sources, and residents are encouraged to take them down during this time. Bears can get a tremendous amount of calories from bird feeders, such as a 2,500 calorie reward from one pound of black oil sunflower seed, or 3,200 calorie reward from 32 ounces of hummingbird food.
• Don’t leave pet or livestock food outside where a bear can find it.
• Put an electric fence wire around chicken coops and bee hives.

It’s up to everyone to keep our communities safe, while keeping bears, and all wildlife, wild!

For more information, please contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 or your nearest Idaho Department of Fish and Game office.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Thursday, January 30, 2020 – 4:29 PM MST

An adult male mountain lion that was roaming a Hailey neighborhood on Thursday January 30 has been euthanized in the interest of public safety.

On Thursday January 30, Fish and Game officers and local law enforcement were notified of a large mountain lion roaming in the Woodside subdivision in Hailey. Once located, the lion continued to run through many neighborhood yards, before taking refuge under a tree. The officers then attempted to haze the lion using rubber buck shot fired from a shotgun. The lion was not deterred by the hazing.

Due to the close proximity to dense neighborhood housing and public schools the decision to euthanize the lion was made in the interest of public safety of Hailey residents.

The lion was a large adult male, estimated to be four to five years old.

According to Regional Supervisor Craig White, “we became aware of the mountain lion from a Facebook video that was posted earlier today. Knowing that there was a lion in close proximity to local schools, especially as schools were releasing students this afternoon was very concerning to us.”

Since December 5, Fish and Game has received over 60 reports of mountain lion sightings throughout the Wood River Valley.

White noted, “The number of sightings this year is concerning, especially when the reports indicate that the lions are not displaying what we could call normal behavior. Lions are typically shy and active at night, but reports, such as we had today, are of lions that are active during the day. That is not the desired cat behavior.”

Residents are encouraged to report any sightings of mountain lions to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359, during normal business hours of Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Any incidents where a person must take action to cause the lion to flee or back down, or any attacks by mountain lions on pets or people should be reported immediately to the Magic Valley Regional Office or the Blaine County Sheriff by calling 911 or their non-emergency phone line at (208) 788-5555.