Bears, cider press, family fun, oh my!

BONNERS FERRY — A bear spray demonstration and training were available to all participants by Ranger Rob Morris.  

Another tip shared by officials was, when hiking, never go alone, make noise and carry either bear spray or a sidearm.  

Morris said that while a sidearm can be helpful, in the case of a bear mauling, he did not advise using a gun, especially if a loved one and a bear are on the other side of a barrel. Rather, he suggested using bear spray, which is not lethal, but severally painful to all mammals as the concentrated chili spray is stronger than pepper spray and attacks the nasal passages.  

When using bear spray, aim at the ground in front of you, so to allow the aerosol spray to waft up to the bear. If you aim the spray too high, you might just hit the bear’s back as it runs low to the ground.  

A bear can run 30 mph, so by aiming the spray out in front, the bear will have to take in a few breaths of the spray and will most likely decide to change course.  

He cautioned to deploy the spray in short bursts so that you will not run out when you need it. If you deploy the spray due to a threat, wait and ensure that the animal leaves before you put away the bear spray.  

Participants deployed non-bear spray, rather a floral aerosol, however they could leave the fair with a free set of bear spray.  

Empty bear spray can be recycled at the Sturgeon Station in Three Mile, Sandpoint Ranger Station or at the Idaho Fish & Game Regional Office in Coeur d’Alene. 

Apples were pressed, and fresh cider flowed at the second annual North Idaho Bear Fair at the Boundary County Fairgrounds on Sept. 28.  

Community members were encouraged to bring apples for the cider press in order to remove fallen fruit for orchards, which can attract bears. Thermoses and bottle were filled to the brim with the sweet liquid. In total, 23 gallons of cider was pressed in the first two hours.  

Shelby Therrian, Wildlife Division Manager with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho helped man the cider press, said there were a lot of people brought their apples to press, however the amount of apples was less than last year.  

In part, the nice weather Saturday might have deterred visitors, but since there was no entry fee organizers had difficulty calculating turnout.  

Area residents got a chance to learn what to do when they encounter bears at Saturday’s second annual Bear Fair. 

Idaho Fish and Game Conservation officer Jeremy Gaffield, who works with bear encounters, shared the differences between grizzly and black bears, from their temperaments and features, at the Sept. 28 event. Bearproof trashcans and other items were on display as community members learned how nosy bears can be, especially when it comes to food stuff.  

The next Bear Fair will return take place on the last Saturday in September 2025.  

    Youth sample apple cider at the North Idaho Bear Fair.
  

    Apple cider flowed at the North Idaho Bear Fair as community members brought apples and took cider home with them.
  

    A bear spray demonstration was conducted at the North Idaho Bear Fair on Sept. 28, and participants practiced on a cut-out bear attached to a RC car.