Bears in Hyperphagia: A seasonal strategy for survival

The first brisk mornings of early fall have people thinking about pulling out winter coats, flannels, and hats in preparation for the winter ahead. Bears are also preparing for the cold winter in Montana. However, instead of wool coats and mittens, their idea of bundling up involves layering on a few extra hundred pounds of fat reserves.

 In severe winter climates like ours, bears rely heavily on fat reserves to sustain them through torpor, also known as hibernation, which is a prolonged period of inactivity that conserves energy by reducing metabolism and body temperature. To ensure they have enough fatreserves to survive torpor, bears will enter a state called hyperphagia, which translates to "excessive eating." During this time, bears aim to consume upwards of 20,000 calories per day—roughly ten times the average daily caloric intake of humans. This phase typically begins in late summer and can last until early winter when bears bed down for winter.

Bears will become less selective about food sources and opt for the highest-calorie options, foraging for up to 20 hours a day. Natural high-calorie foods in our region can include nuts and scavenged carcasses, but bears will also consume fruits, grasses, insects, and more to reach their daily caloric goals. So, what does this bear-binge mean for us and our actions? 

As bears focus on finding high-calorie foods during this time, securing our bear attractants is essential to preventing them from feeding on unnatural food sources. Bears are opportunistic feeders, and if attractants like garbage, chickens, ripe fruit on orchard trees, and bird feeders are left unsecured, they will happily take the easy meal. 

If a bear becomes food-conditioned to unnatural sources, it can lose its natural wariness of people, leading to potentially dangerous encounters. This habituation can ultimately result in negative outcomes for both bears and humans. The good news is that human-bear conflicts can largely be avoided with proper precautions. By making small changes to how we manage attractants in bear country, we can reduce the likelihood of attracting bears to our properties and public spaces. Here are some quick tips to ensure you're being bear-aware around your home:

1. Secure Garbage: One of the easiest and most effective ways to secure garbage is by using a bear-resistant trash container. Contact Swan Valley Connections at (406) 754-3137 for a free bear-resistant trash can.

2. Secure Chickens: Electrify your chicken coop to ensure your chickens' safety and prevent depredations. Contact Swan Valley Connections at (406) 754-3137 to learn more about our electric fencing program.

3. Remove Bird Feeders: Take down bird feeders during the months when bears are active on the landscape. In our region, the window of activity for bears is roughly March - December.

4. Glean Fruit Trees: Remove all fruit from orchard trees, and consider donating unwanted fruit to local food banks or animal sanctuaries. Check with your local Fish, Wildlife, and Parks office to learn about potential drop-off sites for fruit gleaning season.

5. Store Pet Food Indoors: Store pet food inside, and bring any uneaten food indoors each night if animals are fed outdoors.

6. Clean Grills and Outdoor Cooking Areas: After using a grill, clean it thoroughly to remove leftover food and grease. With the committed actions of community members to live responsibly in bear country, we can minimize potential human-bear conflicts, ensuring that bears remain wild and humans stay safe!

Swan Valley Bear Resources (SVBR) is a collaborative group that promotes coexistence between humans and bears and provides resources to anyone in the Bigfork and Ferndale communities. Call Swan Valley Connections at (406) 754-3137 or email Jackie@svconnections.org to learn more about the resources available through Swan Valley Bear Resources. To report bear sightings and conflicts, contact our local MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Bear and Lion Specialist, Erik Wenum, at (406) 250-0062.