Inadequately stored attractants, according to Fish Wildlife and Parks, will draw all the bears to the yard

Billings, Montana – Bears are naturally curious animals, so it’s crucial to understand what can draw them to residential and commercial locations as more people move into places where bears regularly live and forage.

Finding food is a bear’s primary concern throughout its whole existence, according to Daniel McHugh, a bear specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Region 5.

Bears are almost in the backyards of people who live near wooded regions, so they should exercise extra caution.

“Going down the list you have trash, compost, bird feeders, barbecue grills, and just anything that has some sort of sent or fragrance that a bear would be experiencing if it’s just walking down a trail is going to be interesting to them especially if it smells like it could potentially be food.” Said McHugh.

According to McHugh, the more people leave food or other attractants out, the more bears will link people to food, which could result in more dangerous encounters between humans and bears.

“We need to have people telling their neighbors, and telling their friends, and telling their family that’s visiting, ‘hey, we live in an area with a lot of bears and we have to do our best to keep them wild and not allow them to get unnatural food sources in the first place.”>