HAILEY, Idaho — Idaho Fish and Game has received an increasing number of reports of black bears getting into garbage and other areas near residential homes in Blaine County. On Thursday, Fish and Game had to euthanize a young black bear near Hailey, after it broke into a garage multiple times in search of food.
The young male bear weighed approximately 100 pounds, and tried to break into a garage several times. The bear also left signs of attempting to get into a house.
Since the bear was showing increasingly aggressive behavior, Idaho Fish and Game made the decision to trap and euthanize the bear.
Since early August, Idaho Fish and Game in the Magic Valley has received over 100 reports of bears attempting to enter residential homes.
Idaho Fish and Game reminds Wood River Valley residents that bears are a part of the local ecosystem, and it's important to protect your garbage and other attractants so "bears cannot get an easy food reward."
(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story.)
Since early August, Idaho Fish and Game officials in the Wood River Valley have received over one hundred calls from homeowners who saw black bears roaming into residential areas and gorging on garbage.
"Our hands were pretty much tied on this one, we didn't have any options.,” said Terry Thompson from the Magic Valley Region of Idaho Fish and Game.
A 100-pound black bear cub in Blaine County was euthanized last week out of concern for public safety.
The animal, made repeated visits to neighborhoods in Hailey, even attempting to enter a home.
"It became what we call 'food-conditioned' meaning it's relying on non-natural foods that a bear would typically eat," said Thompson.
The animals became a bit too comfortable roaming the subdivision. Fish and Game received more than a hundred bear sighting reports since August.
"Our concern is that an unsuspecting person in that subdivision or neighborhood walks out and unbeknownst to them this bear is protecting a garbage can because it looks at it as its food source, and then you have a potentially serious situation with a bear," said Thompson.
Many wildlife authorities agree that simply relocating a food-conditioned animal is not enough to dissuade these animals from returning.
"You move a food-conditioned bear, they've found that those bears come right back to where they were captured or now you've given a food-conditioned bear to the next community over," said Thompson.
Wood River Valley residents tell me they're aware of the dangers, and most take the proper steps to avoid encounters.
"I have always heard that it can be a problem for animals if you put your trash out the night before. So, we've always put it out the morning of trash pick-up," said Hailey resident Mary Cone.
"I live in town here so even though we can get exposed to wildlife like raccoons and bears, I always keep it in a closed container with the lid on it," said Clayton, a Hailey resident.
And while the news of an euthanized black bear doesn't sit right with some, local residents know the game.
"It's tough but I understand the danger they pose to the residents here in town and the pets and such. So, it's understandable," said Clayton.
"If it's a problem bear you have to do something with it. So, that's kind of how nature works,” said Wood River Valley Resident Mark McQueen.
The big takeaway? Take the extra steps to secure your trash.
"I know nobody puts their garbage out with the intent of letting a bear get into it, but if a bear gets into your garbage that's a pretty clear message that you need to change the way you secure your garbage,” said Thompson.
This is the first wild bear to be euthanized in the Wood River Valley since 2022.
But Fish and Game officials have relocated two other black bears this year that were roaming residential areas in the Wood River Valley.
