Bitterroot National Forest to Expand Food Storage Requirements in 2025

The general hunting season in Montana opens this Saturday and runs through December 1^st.  Good luck to all hunters looking for that trophy bull elk or other game animal in the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF).  The forest is announcing some future changes this week that will affect all hunters and other recreationists beginning next year.                  

Effective March 1, 2025, the BNF will be expanding its current food storage requirements, with the aim of reducing potential adverse human wildlife interactions including bear and other wildlife species.  The new food storage regulations will apply to all BNF lands in Montana, including the Anaconda Pintler (AP) Wilderness on the Darby-Sula Ranger District.  The new requirements will not apply to the Idaho portion of the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church Wilderness areas on the forest.  

The BNF’s current food storage requirements which have been in place since 2014, only apply to the AP Wilderness Area.  The new regulations will take effect from March 1 – December 1 annually.

The forest is announcing these changes now to allow the public plenty of time to prepare and learn more about these new requirements and will be emphasizing education over enforcement (citations) this spring.  “Our primary goal is to protect humans and bears from adverse interactions,” said Matt Anderson, Forest Supervisor.  “We also want to make sure that people understand the new rules and where they apply.  By following these guidelines, the public will be safer, and the number of human-wildlife conflicts will be reduced.”        

The new Food Storage Order will require that all unattended food, garbage and attractants be stored through one of the following methods:

• In hard sided vehicles;
• In bear-resistant containers.  A list of approved bear-resistant storage products can be found at www.igbc.org; or
• Suspended at least 10 feet above the ground, and 4 feet away from adjacent trees/pole, out of the reach of wildlife; or
• Placed within a fenced area that meets the IGBC approved bear resistant products list. (The order will define appropriate methods for storing and possessing food, refuse, and other attractants, including animal carcasses and burning of garbage).     

It is always good practice to maintain a clean camp and keep food properly stored in containers and out of the reach of wildlife, for both the safety of bears, other wildlife, and for human safety.     

Bear populations are increasing within the Bitterroot Ecosystem, and it is important to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food and attractants.  

In recent years, the forest has had to temporarily close several areas, including Three Frogs Campground at Lake Como due to black bears attempting to enter campsites and trailers where food, garbage, and other attractants where not properly stored.   

The sites were re-opened after the bears were trapped and relocated by Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which determined the problem bears had become habituated (or food conditioned) and were increasingly aggressive with campers who left human and pet food unattended in their campsites.                

The BNF has placed bear-resistant dumpsters in developed campgrounds where trash service is provided.  The forest also recently purchased and installed 10 bear resistant food storage lockers at front country campgrounds including Lake Como and Charles Waters, increasing bear-resistant food storage options for campers. 

Increasing public awareness and education about bear safety and the importance of keeping food properly stored has also been a priority.  The forest hired a seasonal, part-time Bear Ranger who worked with local groups like the Wind River Bear Institute to share bear awareness information and education programs with forest visitors and the community.          

These programs have been funded by the Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).  Partners include Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Wind River Bear Institute-Wind River Karelian Bear Dogs, Montana Bear Education Group, Defenders of Wildlife, and Be Bear Aware.

Stay in touch with us at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot or follow the Bitterroot National Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF.  For further information on bear safety, food storage protocols, and approved products including containers and electric fencing, visit www.igbconline.org.