Island Park - Idaho (CBS2) — ISLAND PARK, Idaho — The Idaho Fish and Game is urging residents and visitors in Island Park and surrounding areas to securely store their garbage and other attractants following recent reports of bears accessing unsecured trash.
The department warned that when bears find food inadvertently provided by people, it often leads to dangerous situations for both bears and humans. Bears that discover regular food sources in neighborhoods can become less fearful of people and may exhibit bold and aggressive behavior in their search for food.
To prevent such encounters, the department recommends several measures: remove bird feeders between April and mid-November, feed pets inside, and get a certified bear-resistant trash can.
They also suggested that if a bear has already visited a property and found food, the bear will likely visit again. But if it finds no food, it will eventually move on.
Residents are also advised to keep coolers, refrigerators, or freezers indoors and to store excess trash in a garage until the morning of pickup if a bear-resistant can is unavailable or overfilled.
Idaho F&G also reminds us that keeping bears out of the neighborhoods is a group effort. Work together with your neighbors to keep the community safe.