Bears causing problems in farmers' fields this fall

Bears are becoming a problem this fall in farmers’ corn fields.

In the Mission Valley, bears are taking to the sweet corn and this could cause problems with humans.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes wildlife staff is warning residents, waterfowl and pheasant hunters of widespread black and grizzly bear movement from the base of the Mission Mountains to the lower Flathead River. Bears are following riparian areas west into the valley as far as the Lower Flathead River in search of decreasing food supplies like hawthorn and fruit, according to Germaine White of the tribes’ wildlife staff.

“Field corn has become an important fall staple for black and grizzly bears in the Mission Valley and wildlife biologists are seeing extensive use of corn in fields on both sides of Highway 93,” she said. “Often times bears do not even leave standing corn for dense cover elsewhere during the day, choosing to remain hidden among the corn stalks.”

White said residents and hunters should be aware of evidence of bear use and take precautions to avoid surprising a resting bear. Residents should secure attractants like garbage, fruit and birdfeeders to avoid attracting bears into their yards, she said.

When they are in the corn fields, bears knock the corn down and remove the kernels just like we humans do, she said.