Watch for bears preparing for hibernation – LocalNews8.com

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Bears are currently eating a lot to prepare for hibernation. That’s why homeowners and hunters need to be extra careful.

According to Yellowstone National Park, bears eat about 20,000 calories a day to gain the fat they need for hibernation. That’s equivalent to eating about 35.5 Big Macs per day.

James Brower of Idaho Fish and Game says it’s a matter of life and death for bears to build up their fat reserves for the winter. That’s why homeowners in bear country need to be extra vigilant to avoid encounters with bears.

“It is important to us that people take care of their trash and any attractants they have near their home, especially if they live in Island Park or Ashton, where both grizzly bears and black bears are currently foraging.” said Brower.

According to Brower, trash should be kept indoors and not placed in a trash bin until trash pickup morning. If you have pets, make sure you feed them indoors so bears don’t come after their food. You should also avoid putting up bird feeders.

“It doesn’t matter how high in a tree you put them,” Brower said. “Birds just throw their bird seed all over the ground, and that’s definitely an attractant for bears.” It is [an] easy food reward and delivers it right next to your house.”

Brower says hunters should also take precautions, especially when hunting animals.

“Make sure you take care of it [the animal] as quickly as possible. Get it out as quickly as possible. If you must leave it overnight, make sure to hang it in a tree and far away from the trunk of the tree so a bear cannot access it.

If you encounter a bear, stop, do not corner it, and give it plenty of room to leave.