Beary resistant
A new order requires food storage containers to be bear resistant.
Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service
COEUR d’ALENE — The Idaho Panhandle National Forests on Wednesday announced it has updated the long-term seasonal food storage order in effect in the Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint districts.
The order is intended to reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflicts by requiring all attractants, including human, pet and livestock food and garbage to be stored in a bear-resistant manner when not being attended during the daytime.
During nighttime hours, the order requires all attractants, including human, pet and livestock food and garbage to be stored in a bear-resistant manner unless it is in immediate control, being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported or being prepared for storage.
The order also contains requirements for harvested animal carcasses, the disposal of attractants and reporting dead livestock in the forest.
The order is an update and replacement of the Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint food storage order signed in 2011. The new order provides updated information, formatting and dates and simplifies the distinction between front country and back country storage requirements.