Flathead Valley fruit collection aims to reduce bear attractants

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting donations of fruit at the Kalispell office the week of Sept. 8 to help reduce bear attractants while also supporting the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.

Residents are invited to drop off fruit from their properties at the FWP office at 490 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell. Donations will be accepted Monday through Friday, Sept. 8-12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Fruit trees are a big attractant for bears in residential areas during the fall,” said FWP Bear Management Specialist Justine Vallieres. “By donating fruit, landowners can help keep bears out of trouble and support the Discovery Center.”

Bears are curious and food driven, wildlife officials warn, and feeding bears puts people and bears at risk. Securing or removing attractants will greatly reduce the chances of a conflict with a bear, officials said.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone houses bears that can no longer live in the wild after learning to find food in recreational or residential areas and becoming dangerously comfortable around people.

Quick reports of conflicts help keep people safe and bears wild. Conflicts include bears getting into food attractants such as chicken coops, bird feeders or garbage. 

In Northwest Montana, contact:

• North portion of Flathead County and Eureka area – Justine Vallieres, 406-250-1265
• South portion of Flathead County and the Swan – Erik Wenum, 406-250-0062
• Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem and Sanders County – Garrett Tovey, 406-291-1320
• Flathead Indian Reservation – Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wildlife Management Program, 406-275-2774