Bozeman Residents Urged to Secure Garbage as Bear Sightings Increase
Bear sightings are on the rise in Bozeman, Montana, prompting Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to urge residents to properly secure attractants like garbage. As September marks 'Bear Aware Month' and cooler weather sets in, bears are entering hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding to prepare for hibernation, making them more active and prone to seeking food sources in residential areas. Morgan Jacobsen, an information officer with FWP, explained that bears consume thousands of calories daily and can remain active for up to 20 hours while foraging. Easy access to food in neighborhoods, such as garbage cans, barbecues, and bird feeders, is drawing bears into human-populated areas. An inconsistent berry season is also believed to be contributing to bears traveling further in search of food. 
