Spoiled Bears Evicted Kind-Hearted Passers-By Blamed For Turning Wild Bears Into Troublemakers At Schweitzer

Two furry bear cubs, who found mooching treats from tourists easier than hunting for berries, had to be moved from Schweitzer Mountain Resort this week.

One cub was so used to handouts from humans he nearly crawled inside a woman’s car to get a snack.

“This is a problem left over from last year when people were feeding the mother (bear). The cubs have just taken up those habits,” said Idaho Fish and Game officer Greg Johnson. “This is more of a people problem than a bear problem, though.”

Some folks just can’t resist stopping to gawk, take photos and toss morsels to bears on Schweitzer Road. That’s a big no-no. Fish and Game officers say it teaches bears bad habits and can be dangerous.

The two cubs were fed from cars so much that one came running when it heard the conservation officers’ car door slam. The officers had arrived to tranquilize and move the bear.

“That’s about as bad as I’ve seen it get,” Johnson said.

Nosy bears have been a bigger problem this year than in the past. That may be because berries are ripening late in the mountains so bears are moving lower to find more convenient meals.

Fish and Game officer Darold Morgan said the rule is simple: Don’t feed the bears. People have heard it many times but still don’t abide by it, he said.

“I can understand people wanting to see them, but look at them and don’t stop.”

It costs Fish and Game, and eventually taxpayers, hundreds of dollars each time a bear has to be relocated because it’s been spoiled by contact with people.

“It’s expensive and we can’t afford to keep dealing with bears this way,” Johnson said. “We need to educate people.”

Schweitzer may post “Do not feed the bears” signs. Resort officials also want to educate condominium and homeowners in the area on how to bear-proof garbage cans and dispose of trash.

Johnson chuckles at some attempts homeowners have already made, like using a plastic garbage can with a bungee cord stretched over the top to secure the lid.

“Plastic cans don’t work, and a bear makes quick work of a bungee cord,” he said.

Morgan’s fielded more than a dozen calls during the last month about black bears raiding garbage. He’s trying to trap three at the base of Schweitzer. One bear worked his way into a garage and rummaged around until his nose found an appetizer - a small wooden box with chocolate bars inside.

Morgan trapped another bear Sunday in Clark Fork, about 30 miles east of Sandpoint. The persistent critter opened a wooden, sliding garage door to get at some tasty trash. After the owner locked the door the bear returned and broke the latch to get another snack.

“People have to take their trash out or lock it up. I know it’s a pain, but this is bear country. They are everywhere,” Morgan said.

One woman called Morgan about a bear that kept digging in her trash can. She said she moved it three times but the bear kept finding it.

“There is always a cause for why the bear is there and it doesn’t take too long to figure it out,” Johnson said. “Typically it’s people who are leaving garbage out or storing dog and cat food outside. Once the bears are rewarded they keep coming back.”

Fish and Game’s policy is to first ask homeowners with a bear problem to clean up their property. If the bear keeps coming back then they trap and relocate it.

“When the berries come on, hopefully they will pull back,” Morgan said. In the meantime, “Don’t feed the bears. Trying to get close to a bear is a big mistake.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: IDAHO HEADLINE: People get blamed for bear trouble