Fencing program may keep bears at bay
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Local homeowners can be reimbursed for the cost of installing electric fencing through a new program aimed at keeping bears away from attractants like garbage, beehives, chicken coops and fruit trees.
A cost-share program to help homeowners pay for bear-resistant fencing was launched this month by Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC), in partnership with a newly formed Methow Bear Coalition. The goal of the program is to reduce human-bear conflict in the Methow Valley.
“A simple three-wire electric fence has been shown to deter bears and reduce conflict,” said Madelyn Hamilton, MVCC’s public lands and wildlife program coordinator, who is leading the pilot fencing program.
The cost-share program will provide up to $500 to homeowners for materials to build their own bear-resistant fence. To be eligible for funding, homeowners must meet certain criteria, including living in areas of the valley where the greatest number of bear conflicts have historically occurred. Eligible areas include Lost River, Mazama, Edelweiss and Wolf Creek, although other areas may be assessed on a case-by-case basis, Hamilton said.
Applicants for funding must have a bear attractant on their property that they are fencing, and must design the fence to specifications that deter bears. MVCC and the bear coalition will provide how-to videos and instructions on building bear-resistant fencing, as well as technical advice on design and materials for specific projects, Hamilton said.
Last month an electric fencing expert from Montana came to the Methow Valley to lead a demonstration on bear-resistant fencing for members of MVCC, the bear coalition, and community members. The demonstration helped MVCC and the coalition prepare to offer the fence building program, Hamilton said.
MVCC and the bear coalition also plan to purchase three emergency netting type electric fences for people to install temporarily case of an arising conflict, until they can figure out a more permanent solution or build their own fence, Hamilton said.
Funding for the program comes from grants from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Vital Ground Foundation.
WDFW’s “wildlife diversity grant” supports recovery actions for species with greatest conservation needs in Washington, and Vital Ground Foundation is a land trust that conserves and connects habitat for grizzly bears and other wildlife. The grants will cover about 30 projects at up to $500 apiece.
Pilot program
WDFW estimates that about 1,000 black bears live in the Methow watershed, sharing the landscape with a growing population of humans. As many Methow Valley residents know from experience, that can lead to conflict — especially when bears are attracted to sources of food provided by humans.
The pilot fencing program seeks to deter bears from common attractants, including chicken coops, garbage, beehives, fruit trees, livestock, livestock and pet food, food-waste compost, carcass pits, boneyards, and restaurant grease containers.
Bears that become habituated to seeking food from human sources may become a nuisance or a threat. If a property owner wants the bear removed, the only solution for state wildlife managers is to kill the bear.
“Properly installed electric fencing has been proven as a simple and effective way to deter smart and opportunistic black bears, which often poke around residences looking for potential food sources,” Hamilton said.
“We hope this pilot coexistence program will help community members avoid unnecessary conflict, reduce damage to property, and protect bears from the consequences of becoming habituated.”
Although deterring black bears is the goal of the fencing program, a recent decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades means that grizzlies may also be part of the landscape in the future, Hamilton said.
The steps that property owners take to deter black bears are the same as for grizzly bears, Hamilton said. “If grizzly bears do come back, we’re going to be so much more prepared for them,” she said.
New coalition
The Methow Bear Coalition was formalized a few months ago “to increase the community’s capacity to coexist with black bears and potentially grizzly bears,” Hamilton said. The group includes members of MVCC, Home Range Wildlife Research, Waste Wise Methow, WDFW, as well as interested community members.
In addition to the electric fencing program, the coalition is also working toward other approaches to reducing conflict with bears. One approach proposes changing garbage collection from individual cans to a community dumpster model in some areas of the valley, Hamilton said.
Working with Waste Wise Methow, the coalition is exploring how to help residents in the north part of the valley to make the switch to bear-proof dumpsters. The cost to homeowners may be “slightly cheaper” than individual collection, Hamilton said. However, details like finding locations for community dumpsters and setting up billing systems need to be worked out, she said.
The coalition is also leading a new program that will offer bear canisters for rent so that campers and backpackers can securely store their food. Bear canisters are cylindrical plastic tubs with secure locking lids that keep food away from bears, and are designed to fit into backpacks, Hamilton said.
The coalition is partnering with Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies store in Mazama to provide the canisters. Funding for the canisters comes from the same grants that fund the fencing project.
In the future, Hamilton said, the bear coalition also plans to host bear spray demonstrations to help people learn to use the spray, which can be effective on bears or other aggressive animals.
The demonstrations would use cans with inert ingredients, not the actual spray. The demonstrations be educational and, Hamilton added, “fun and entertaining.”
“Our community consistently recognizes that being able to live alongside abundant wildlife in the Methow Valley is one of the amazing aspects of living here,” Hamilton said. “We’re excited to be able to … help community members live with wildlife.”
Applying for the program
Residents interested in the bear-resistant fencing reimbursement program must contact MVCC before purchasing materials and/or installing a fence to make sure they qualify and to confirm a place on the list for reimbursement.
Funding is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For information on qualifying and how to apply, go to mvcitizens.org/electricbearfence, or contact Madelyn Hamilton at madelyn@mvcitizens.org or (509) 997-0888.