
Recent grizzly sightings in north Idaho have the Fish & Game department sending out a warning about bears. They say black bears and grizzly bears are driven by their powerful sense of smell, searching for food to build up fat reserves for the winter. Your garbage is a great place for them to find some. They also like chickens, pet food, compost, and even barbecue grills. Once a bear learns to associate homes or campsites with easy meals, it can often return.
Fish & Game says now is a great time to secure your attractants like foods and also bird feeders, and store garbage in bear-resistant containers.
They have other advice as well. If If you’re going hiking in bear country, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Don’t hike after dark, at dawn, or at dusk. That’s when bears are most active. Make noise like yelling “hey bear” so you don’t accidentally surprise a bear.