Though problems with bears have been all over the news this year - including the New York Times' recent suggestion that some of Idaho's slow-Internet problems are due to bears - this year is actually seeing far fewer bear complaints in North Idaho than last year. Spokesman-Review reporter Becky Kramer reports that last year, Idaho Fish & Game received 770 calls regarding problem bear activity in Bonner, Boundary and northern Kootenai counties; this year, the tally is just 158 complaints. More-abundant natural food supplies this year are the likely reason for the drop; last year, hungry black bears suffering through a poor huckleberry season were raiding bird feeders, upsetting garbage cans or prowling for dog food; you can read Kramer's full report here.