A bear management specialist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has told me that dumpsters with doors that open and close hydraulically have been installed in other areas and seem to help. I suggested fencing, but was told by the chairman of the Flathead County Refuse District that because grizzly bears and black bears can climb trees, that would do no good. I would like to hear what can be done to solve the problem, not what can't be done. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper and Montana papers to let them know that situations like this are unacceptable and must be corrected. Haul garbage to an approved disposal site as often as possible to prevent build-up of odors.
Fruit trees attract bears, especially when wild foods are scarce.
Electric fencing is the most effective way to keep bears out of orchards. Pick all ripe fruit from trees and from the ground as soon as possible. Do not leave fruit on trees through the fall. Vegetable gardens also attract bears. Composting odors also attract bears.