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For the week of July 2 - 8, 2003

News

Give moose, bears
room to maneuver


By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts should enjoy Idaho’s bountiful public lands this summer, but should be careful to avoid encounters with certain species of wildlife, the Idaho Fish and Game Department announced this week.

Lee Garwood, a Fish and Game conservation officer based in the Wood River Valley, said those who venture into the backcountry this summer should be particularly mindful of possible encounters with moose and black bears.

He said people should be especially vigilant about staying away from moose this time of year because calves that were born this spring are exploring natural areas in the company of their protective mothers.

Moose are often found in riparian areas along the Big Wood River and other regional waterways, Garwood noted. He said hikers and fishermen should be careful not to startle a moose as they approach riparian zones, and should keep their dogs away from areas known to be moose habitat.

"The best thing you can do if your dog encounters a moose is separate yourself from your animal," he said.

Moose can be very dangerous to humans, and should be avoided in all situations, Garwood said.

"Avoid them, be aware, and use common sense," he said.

A major problem with bears, however, is that one may invite itself into your home, Garwood said. But following a few simple rules will greatly reduce the chances of a potentially dangerous encounter.

"With bears in this valley, it comes down to food and garbage management, most of the time," he said.

To keep bears away from your camp or residence, Garwood said people should:

  • Keep a clean campsite, well away from cooking and food-storage areas. Hang food supplies in trees to keep them out of reach of bears.

     
  • If you are camping in an RV, keep your doors closed at all times.

     
  • While hiking, make noise, travel in groups during daylight hours, stay on established trails and try to avoid taking pets into areas with bears.

     
  • At home, delay putting out garbage cans until the morning of pickup. Also, hang bird feeders out of reach of bears, or put them away until the fall.

     
  • Don’t leave food items, including pet food, or debris around your house.

Despite the attraction of seeing an adult bear or bear cub up close, people should never approach the animals, Garwood said. "If you see a bear, go in the other direction."

Garwood said bear encounters in the region have been relatively few so far this year, but could easily increase as the summer progresses. Bears that have been in the high country foraging in green areas will eventually come to lower elevations as the hot, dry weather persists and dries up the landscape, he noted.

"Bears will likely come down to Ketchum as things dry out," he said.

Kelton Hatch, Fish and Game regional conservation educator, said campers should also keep a flashlight and pepper spray close at hand.

"If a black bear attacks, it is suggested to fight back using everything in your power: rocks, sticks, your fists, or registered bear pepper spray," he noted.

 

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The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.