Bears don’t come looking for people, they come looking for food. Unsecured garbage, pet food, bird feeders, and outdoor grills can quickly turn business and residential areas into attractants.
Bear activity is highest in the spring when bears emerge hungry from hibernation and late summer and fall during hyperphagia, when bears eat constantly to prepare for winter but it is important to be bear aware all year long.
Preventing access to food is the most effective way to reduce human–bear conflicts.
When bears associate people with food, the outcome is rarely good—for bears or for our community. Bear in Mind Bigfork is about shared responsibility, simple prevention, and protecting what makes this place special.
Everyday steps that make a big difference:
Use bear-resistant garbage containers
Put trash out the morning of pickup only
Remove bird feeders when bears are active
Store pet food, livestock feed, and coolers indoors
Keep BBQ grills clean and free of grease
Pick ripe fruit promptly and manage fallen fruit
If you see repeated bear activity, secure attractants immediately and contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
You’re visiting bear country. A few simple habits help keep everyone safe:
Never leave food, coolers, or trash unattended outdoors
Store food securely in rentals, cabins, and campers
Don’t leave pet food or snacks in vehicles overnight
Keep your distance if you see a bear—no close photos
Your awareness helps protect our community and our wildlife.
Bear in Mind Business is a voluntary program for local businesses committed to reducing attractants and educating staff and customers by:
Identify and secure potential bear attractants
Train employees on bear-aware practices
Share educational materials with patrons
Help set a community standard for safety and responsibility
Businesses meeting program guidelines receive Bear Resistant designation and recognition on Bigfork.org.
Swan Valley Connections
Jessica Reyes, Bear Conflict Prevention Coordinator
Jessica@svconnections.org
Jackie’s work focuses on reducing bear conflicts in the Swan Watershed as part of Swan Valley Connections’ Swan Valley Bear Resources program. She manages the bear-resistant trash can loaner program, installs electric fencing to secure attractants, and hosts a variety of educational events throughout the area.
People and Carnivores
Ryan Wilbur, Field Project Manager
rwilbur@peopleandcarnivores.org
(614) 746-1406
Ryan works on the ground throughout Northwest Montana to design and implement nonlethal tools on the ground to prevent human-carnivore conflicts —like bears, wolves, and mountain lions— keeping people safe and large carnivores wild.
Wildlife Restoration Foundation
Kayla Andra, WRF Program Manager
info@wildlifeandparks.org
(703)-300-0025
The WRF Collaborating with Bears Program is a multi-partner strategy designed to support chambers of commerce and their member businesses in towns located in park gateway areas at times occupied by grizzly or black bears. Efforts focus on tools “enable people not to enable bears to get in trouble.”