In search for food, bears causing ruckus

Bears are causing issues before the enter their winter dens.

An elderly woman was attacked and injured at her residence west of Kalispell by a black bear on Sunday. 

The residence is located between Batavia and Ashley Lake. The incident was reported to the county sheriff’s office late Sunday afternoon.  An ambulance responded and transported the injured woman to Kalispell Regional Hospital. Sheriff’s deputies and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens and investigators responded. A wildlife/Human Attack Response Team from Montana Fish, Wlidlife and Parks was notified and has been investigating the incident since the report was received. 

FWP officials have traps at the location and are attempting to capture the bear. 

According to Montana Fish, Wlidlife and Parks Warden Captain Lee Anderson, the incident is under investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Tribal Wildlife Biologist, George Barce, said the drought and especially warm summer temperatures resulted in berries and fruit all ripening a month early and the limited berry production added to food stress for bears.  Barce says that this time of year bears in the Mission Valley are searching far and wide for food prior to hibernation and as the natural foods dry up bears are searching for other food sources like trash.  There is an easy solution to keep trash secure and to not condition bears with a food reward from unsecured trash containers.  First, keep all trash including aluminum cans, in a secure building, garage or shed.  Second, only put trash out the day of pick up.  A third solution is to contact Republic Services and ask about the Kodiak Can bear resistant trash containers.  These trash containers have reduced the incidents of bears getting into household garbage by nearly 100% when used correctly. Refuse carts are available to distribute to homeowners who have had persistent problems with bears getting into their trash.  Homeowners who live along the Mission Mountains can receive more information about the bear resistant refuse carts by contacting Kraig Ruple at 406-676-4331 at Republic Services or George Barce at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Wildlife Management Program at 675-2700 ext. 7283.  As more people, and more garbage, move into traditional bear habitat, bears are becoming garbage conditioned.  When bears become conditioned to a food reward from trash they typically have to be destroyed. For information on how to secure attractants contact George Barce or Germaine White at the Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation at 675-2700.