Spring bears are due to emerge for spring

POLSON — There are days it still looks and feels a lot like winter, but one sure sign of spring is bear sightings across the Reservation.

Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager, reminds the public that springtime, with its warmer temperatures and new vegetation is accompanied by an increase in bear activity. Soon after bears emerge from their dens they search for winter killed wildlife and succulent vegetation, the primary sources of much-needed food during spring months.

Both black and grizzly bears emerge from their den sites after spending four to six months hibernating. Once bears become active in the spring, they will begin their search for food and bears aggressively protect food sources.

Bears are drawn by the scent of food items, garbage, pet foods, gardens, compost, birdseed, hummingbird feeders and other attractants, often resulting in bear and human conflicts. Whenever someone leaves food attractants available for bears, they create situations that invite bears to become problem bears, which could ultimately endanger someone or cause the bear's demise.

Tribal wildlife managers work to protect bear populations through public information, education and management of human bear conflicts -- such as enforcement of regulations and/or relocation of problem bears.

According to Becker, "one key aspect of the public education program is providing the public with information on ways to eliminate bear attractants". To receive information on eliminating bear attractants, please call Stacy Courville, Tribal Wildlife Management Program or Germaine White, Information and Education Specialist at 883-2888.