September 2, 1998 Missoulian article blaming people for what bears do while being bears-look for food written by Michael Jamison of the Missoulian.
ECHO LAKE - Following a month of late-night stake-outs, wildlife officials caught and killed a 6-year-old male grizzly bear near Echo Lake Monday morning. The blame for the death is being placed on some area residents, who put out food in hopes of attracting bears and other wildlife.
The bear, according to state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials, had a long history of making trouble in neighborhoods north of Bigfork, and had for months relied on homes as a food source.
The 350-pound bear had become a curious public safety concern," said FWP Wildlife Manager Harvey Nyberg, as it roamed the neighborhood in search of food.
Bear management specialists spent about 120 hours over the past 2 1/2 weeks responding to calls about the grizzly, Nyberg said. Most of the trouble started, officials said, because residents failed to secure food.
On July 26, the bear ate 25 pounds of birdseed at one home, returning later for turkey feed and sunflower seeds. By Aug.18, the grizzly was smashing open dog kennels in search of an easy meal, and game damage specialist Erik Wenum set the first of several traps in an attempt to catch the bear.
The bear returned to the kennel over the next three nights, but did not enter the cage.
On Aug.22, he moved on to another residence, breaking into a hog shed, chicken coop and turkey pen. A second trap was set.
Two nights later, the bear returned to the dog kennel, climbing on top of the trap but refusing to enter.
In following days, the bear broke into barns, ate 40 or 50 pounds of alfalfa pellets, was nearly captured but broke free, evaded the shots of bear management specialist Tim Manley and continued to grab free meals each evening.
He was finally caught at about 5:40 a.m. Monday, while Wenum and Manley watched during an all-night vigil.
According to Manley, the bear became accustomed to finding food near homes after some residents deliberately put out feed, hoping to attract bears for viewing.
"People who feed bears, or allow bears to obtain food put out for other wildlife, not only endanger their neighbors but make it almost certain that the bears will have to be removed," Manley said. "Once a bear becomes food conditioned, it becomes very difficult to save that bear."
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