Bears in the Ronan and Pablo Areas

Tribal Wildlife Biologists responded to reports of two grizzly bears in the Ronan and Pablo areas over the last month.

"One grizzly bear with a two year old cub has been attracted to poultry in the Ronan area and one grizzly bear was reported in the Pablo area," says Stacy Courville, Tribal Wildlife Biologist.

Tribal Game Wardens also report daily calls of black bear activity. If you have a bear frequenting the area in search of food make sure all attractants are properly secured.

"The majority of bear calls revolve around bear attractants, mostly bears are attracted to unsecured garbage containers." said Sergeant Pablo Espinoza.

Bears remember where they have found food. Once fed, a bear will return time after time, year after year.

Here are some simple rules for eliminating bear attractants:
   • Store pet food and garbage indoors.
   • Feed pets indoors or bring uneaten food inside.
   • Bring bird feeders, including humming bird feeders, inside at night.
   • Use a certified bear resistant compost container.
   • Pick fruit as it ripens.
   • Keep coolers, refrigerators and freezers inside even if empty.
   • Clean and securely store barbecue grills inside.
   • Avoid planting clover; it is not native and it is becoming a favorite of bears.
   • Do not leave food or garbage in your vehicle.
   • Secure all odorous products, including motor oil, paint and antifreeze.
   • Close windows and doors before leaving home.

"It's far easier to prevent problems from starting than to change a bear's behavior afterward. Don't attract bears to your neighborhood, moving or destroying bears is not the answer," said Espinoza.

"The point is we are trying to avoid human bear conflicts by encouraging humans to remove the attractant. When a bear doesn't find human food, it will be less likely to search repeatedly and will eventually return to reliance on natural food," said Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager.

Tribal Wildlife Biologists and Tribal Game Wardens are doing more than responding to bear human conflicts they are providing public information and education in an effort to change human behavior about being responsible for garbage and other bear attractants.

For more information on bears you can contact the Information and Education Specialist at 883-2888. If you would like more information on eliminating bear attractants or to purchase an Unbearable Bins bear resistant garbage container contact the Tribal Wildlife Program at 883-2888. If you need a Game Warden call 675-4700 and please tell the dispatch you have a bear problem.