Having enjoyed special protections under the Endangered Species Act for nearly fifty years, recovering grizzly bear populations south of the Canadian border have surpassed expectations. As grizzly bear range extends far beyond the six core “Recovery Areas” offficially designated by Congress, conflicts between bears and humans are mounting. For now, despite growing concerns from ranchers, hunters, recreationists, and rural citizens, government policy remains firmly on the side of the bruins.
As a result, residents of rural communities throughout Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington state, are being cautioned to remove bear “attractants” from their property. Fruit trees and berry bushes should be eliminated and electric fences installed around bee hives, chicken coops, and children’s play areas. Bird feeders are a big no-no, as well as compost heaps and unfenced gardens.
“Bear proof” garbage cans are not just for campground use anymore, but are absolutely essential for anyone who lives in “grizzly country”. Some so-called “bear experts” warn that folks who enjoy camping should consider giving up sleeping in their tents and opt for hard shelled trailers and campers instead. After all, no one knows if some previous uncouth camper left “attractants” (scraps of food, dog bones, candy bar wrappers, etc.) scattered about.
Besides leaving a clean camp, there are many other notable precautions that people living in grizzly country are being told to take as well. Pet owners should always feed pets inside while supervising their activity outside. It is absolutely vital that all pets are housed indoors at night. According to the “Bear Smart” website, dogs should “be trained to deter bears, but not aggravate them.” If anyone owns livestock, they should secure their animals in barns or behind electric fencing. Homeowner’s should also detach propane tanks and store their backyard bbq’s inside a locked storage facility after every use.
“Do not leave or store food of any kind outside, even if it is in a locked refrigerator or freezer. Don’t leave trash, groceries, animal feed, coolers or any odorous item in your vehicle or in the back of a pick-up truck. Keep lawn mowed and weeded. Play radio when not home. Keep all windows closed and locked at all times. Use passive deterrents when leaving property unattended.”
https://www.bearsmart.com/managing-communities/best-practices/
Since the 1980’s, some 63 grizzly bears have been killed by trains traversing the continental divide near Glacier National Park. Bear advocates are pressuring the railroads to shorten trains and lighten rail cars so they can stop in time when grizzlies are on the tracks. The message is clear. As thousands of grizzly bears once again roam our western landscapes and are tracked venturing into human occupied zones, it is human behavior that must be managed.
Federal policy dictates that normal human activities are subject to ever increasing restrictions in order to avoid conflicts with the great bears. If you happen to live within grizzly bear range, (and more and more of us do these days), it is your responsibility to become “bear aware”. Anything less is just plain irresponsible.
Sources for this article include:
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1203928437/couple-grizzly-bear-attack-banff-sent-message
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/authorities-search-grizzly-bear-mauled-montana-hunter-103058503
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/10/25/fourth-montana-grizzly-shot-by-hunter-claiming-self-defense/
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/archery-hunters-kill-grizzly-bear-in-self-defense
https://cdapress.com/news/2023/jun/14/grizzly-shot-killed-near-priest-lake/
https://www.bearsmart.com/managing-communities/best-practices/
omots page 
Another good article! Too bad children and grandchildren will all be pressed into the cities, living their lives in high-rise apartments, never knowing what the rest of our world outdoors used to look like.
Concentrating the human population into urban environments has always been part of the plan.