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PABLO - In a sure sign of Spring, bears are emerging from their winter slumber on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Tribal Wildlife Program Manager Dale Becker says the public needs to know that the warmer temperatures and new vegetation are being accompanied by an increase in bear activity.

After waking up from their dens, the animals look for winter killed wildlife and succulent vegetation. Becker says both black and grizzly bears emerge from their den sites and once they become active, they will begin their search for food and bears aggressively protect food sources.

Bears are drawn by the scent of food items, garbage, pet foods, gardens, compost, birdseed, hummingbird feeders and other attractants, often resulting in bear and human conflicts.

Tribal wildlife managers look to protect bear populations through public information, education and management of human bear conflicts, such as enforcement of regulations and/or relocation of problem bears.

"One key aspect of the public education program is providing the public with information on ways to eliminate bear attractants" Becker.

Learn more about eliminating bear attractants, call Stacy Courville, the Tribal Wildlife Management Program or Germaine White, Information and Education Specialist at (406) 883.2888.