Big Sky HOAs step up bear safety efforts

BEAR SMART BIG SKY

BIG SKY – Homeowners in the Big Sky Owners Association, as well as Spanish Peaks and Town Center associations are making the switch to Kodiak bear-resistant trash cans. Trash is the No. 1 attractant for bears, and conflicts with humans have steadily increased in the Big Sky area in recent years.

Republic Services will pick up residents’ old, non bear-resistant cans on a regular pick up day in late October and replace them with new Kodiak cans.

There are multiple benefits to utilizing these new trashcans. Homeowners won’t have to clean up after bears that get into their trash and, more importantly, this effort will reduce the number of human-bear conflicts in the Big Sky area.

If you don’t live in one of these HOAs and you’re interested in helping to reverse Big Sky’s trend in human-bear conflicts, contact Republic Services at (406) 586-0606 to request this service.
The Kodiak trashcans available to Big Sky residents have been tested and certified by the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.

Visit fwp.mt.gov for more information on living safely with bears.