Idaho Fish and Game Urges Residents and Visitors to Practice Bear Safety as Black Bears Emerge from Winter Dens
Bears Active Across Idaho as Spring Food Sources Remain Scarce
BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — Black bears are on the move across Idaho, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is urging residents and outdoor visitors throughout North Idaho and beyond to take precautions as the animals emerge hungry from winter hibernation. Officials issued a formal “Bear Aware” reminder this week, warning that early spring conditions create an elevated risk of human-bear conflict in communities and recreation areas across the state.
“Early spring is an especially sensitive time for bears. After months of hibernation, they are actively searching for food, yet natural food sources are often limited,” Fish and Game officials said in a press release. “Unsecured garbage, pet food, backyard bird feeders and other human-related attractants can quickly become an irresistible draw that brings bears face-to-face with humans.”
For Bonner County residents living near forested areas around Sandpoint, Priest River, Clark Fork, Hope, and the broader North Idaho Panhandle, the warning carries particular weight. The region’s dense forests and proximity to wilderness corridors make it prime black bear habitat. With between 20,000 and 30,000 black bears estimated to roam Idaho’s wild lands, encounters with people are expected to increase as the season progresses.
What Residents Can Do to Prevent Bear Conflicts
Fish and Game outlined a series of practical steps that homeowners, campers, and hikers can take to minimize the chance of a dangerous encounter. The recommendations place responsibility squarely on individuals — a reflection of the common-sense approach to coexisting with wildlife that rural Idaho communities have long embraced.
For residents at home, officials recommend storing garbage in bear-resistant containers or keeping it indoors until the morning of pickup. Bird feeders should be removed entirely during active bear months, as they are among the most common attractants reported near neighborhoods. Pet food, livestock feed, and spilled grain should be stored inside locked, hard-sided buildings, and barbecue grills should be kept clean and secured after use. Property owners with livestock, beehives, fruit trees, or compost piles are advised to consider electric fencing as a deterrent.
Campers across Bonner County’s extensive public lands — including areas near Lake Pend Oreille, Schweitzer Mountain, Pack River, and Priest Lake — are urged to keep all food and scented items out of tents. Garbage must be disposed of in provided containers or packed out entirely; burying or burning garbage is specifically discouraged by Fish and Game. Unattended food should be stored in bear boxes, hard-sided vehicles, or certified bear-resistant containers, with officials noting that attractants should not be left in vehicles for extended periods during backcountry trips.
For those hitting the trails, Fish and Game emphasizes several key safety habits. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is listed as a top priority. Hiking in groups of three or more people is strongly encouraged, and solo hikers should use extra caution, particularly around dense brush near streams or areas with limited visibility. Officials recommend avoiding hiking at dawn, dusk, or after dark, when bears are most active.
Hikers are also advised to make noise while on the trail — periodically calling out “Hey bear!” helps alert animals to human presence before a surprise encounter occurs. Staying alert to signs of bear activity, including fresh tracks, scat, dug-up soil, rolled rocks, or torn logs, can provide advance warning. Maintaining a minimum distance of 100 yards from any bear spotted in the wild is non-negotiable, according to officials.
What Comes Next
Bear activity in Idaho is expected to intensify through spring and summer as animals seek to rebuild body weight lost during hibernation. Fish and Game officials indicate that residents in bear country should remain vigilant throughout the warmer months, not just in the early spring window. Bonner County residents with questions about bear activity near their property are encouraged to contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game directly. Reporting nuisance bear encounters promptly allows wildlife managers to respond before situations escalate and helps keep both people and bears safe across North Idaho’s communities and public lands.