Bear spray training and giveaway offered to Idaho residents in the Wood River Valley

Each year, human-wildlife conflict reports come into Fish and Game offices involving food-conditioned bears or mountain lions. These conflicts can and do cause public safety concerns in Idaho communities and surrounding wildlands. To promote safety for people, pets and wildlife, Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region, and the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, are joining together to provide personal safety information as well as bear spray trainings that can be used to keep people safe around wildlife. 

Three community trainings led by Fish and Game wildlife biologists are scheduled in July and August in the Wood River Valley. Each training will focus on black bear and mountain lion biology and behavior, with hands-on training using inert bear spray canisters.

Each free event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours, pre-registration is required by calling the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359. Up to 40 bear spray canisters will be given away at each event. 

Dates of the free community trainings are:

Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters: July 11 

Ketchum, Warm Springs Preserve: July 25

Hailey, Community Campus: August 8

• Time: Each event starts at 6:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
• Registration: Pre-registration is required by calling the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.
• Giveaway: Each event will distribute up to 40 free bear spray canisters to eligible participants. Only one canister of bear spray will be given to each household.

Please bring your own lawn chair to the SNRA and Ketchum events.

The presentations are appropriate for all ages, and everyone is welcome to attend. Each community training will allow up to 40 Idaho residents over the age of 18, who pre-register, to be given a free canister of bear spray at the conclusion of the training.

The bear spray canisters are generously provided by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Additionally, registered attendees at each training will have the chance to win a bear-resistant Cordova Cooler, also provided by the Foundation.

To pre-register and for more information contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.