SALMON, Idaho — A grizzly bear was sighted in the North Fork Salmon River near the Montana border on May 23. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), said grizzlies are not often see3n in that area and the last grizzly sighting there was in 2022.
The department said it was not sure if the bear was still in the area but people should still be careful and take precautions to keep bears away by removing any food attractants like animal feed or garbage.
The department also wanted to remind hunters in the area to not assume all bears are black bears and to carefully monitor and identify the animals when shooting.
"Most of Idaho's grizzly bear populations are in the northern Panhandle area and the area in and around Yellowstone National Park in Eastern Idaho. But grizzlies may wander long distances and into areas where people don't expect to encounter them. Grizzlies are rare in the Salmon area. The last confirmed sighting in Salmon Region was in 2022 from a trail camera picture," stated a news release. "Grizzly bears are federally protected in Idaho, so there is no hunting season for them. You can learn more about grizzly management on Fish and Games Conservation and Management webpage."
The Department has the following tips for people recreating in the area:
Keep a clean camp. Pick up garbage and store it along with all food in a closed vehicle or in plastic bags tied high between two trees, at least 100 yards from the sleeping area and at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 four feet out from either tree. Food can also be stored in an approved bear-proof food container. Never keep food in your tent.
Do not bury food scraps, pour out cooking grease, or leave anything that might be tasty on the ground or in a fire pit. Also, store barbecue grills or other smelly cooking gear inside your vehicle or within a sealed container. Bears have a tremendous sense of smell, and they are nosy by nature.
If you see a bear, watch it from a distance and leave it alone.
If you're concerned about encountering a bear and want to protect yourself, bear spray is an effective deterrent.
Anyone who sees a grizzly outside of their normal range in the Panhandle and Eastern Idaho is asked to report it online at Fish and Games Wildlife Observation webpage.
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