Close Bear Encounters in Victor, Idaho

VICTOR - The Idaho Fish and Game Department is on the lookout for a bear that is breaking into homes in Victor. The problem is this bear is smarter than the "average" bear.

This particular bear is well versed in human activity. When Fish and Game sent dogs after him in hopes of forcing him to climb a tree, the bear just ran away. And this bear is one of many who have caused homeowners troubles in the last several days.

Traps have been placed near recent bear sightings around Victor. One particular bear has broken into a home, and has dug through at least 5 trash bins in the area.

"So this is kind of a Yogi Bear on the loose, ya?" Steven Pope asked Lauren Wendt with Fish & Game.

"Yeah you can say that. It's becoming a danger for people as well as for the bear, we'd like to try and capture him," said Wendt.

The problem is, this particular bear has avoided these traps.

"This bear is very well educated. He's used to people he's used to dogs, just used to the whole human aspect of things," said Wendt.

And this bear isn't the only furry creature causing concern in parts of Victor this week, it was a close encounter.

"(The kids) finished at about 5 o'clock. We came in here at 5:15, right out of that same area this bear came walking right along the beach right where the kids were just playing. This is not what I would consider normal bear behavior. Normally you always hear about a bear coming out at night," said Dick Gebhard.

The big concern here is of course is that these black bears are coming in close contact with human quarters. In the last three days Fish & Game have caught two black bears right here along this beach, and a third one is on the loose in this area.

"Nobody would want one of these kids getting mauled, or killed? Terrible. The Fish & Game have been unbelievably helpful in this," said Gebhard.

Within 15 minutes of setting up a trap, they caught the first bear.

"We left, and boom the bear trap. Boom, we hear the gate fall," said Gebhard.

Most bears Fish & Game captures, like the ones found at Gebhard's, can be released back into the wild. But when they catch the "smart" bear that's been breaking into homes, they may have to put it down.

So if you live in the Victor area and see a bear rummaging around your home, be sure to contact Fish & Game immediately. They really want to capture, and if possible, relocate that bear.

Victor City Council is currently considering is a new bear proof trash bin ordinance so that bears aren't foraging for food near homes.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• bear
• encounters
• victor
• idaho