BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — You're out on a hike — or in search of a certain, oft-elusive purple berry — and suddenly, there's a bear wandering across your path.

Do you know what to do?

Perhaps your apple tree is laden with fruit or you are raising chickens and bees for the eggs and honey.

Can the bear wander in and help itself?

That's where the upcoming North Idaho Bear Fair — set from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 — comes in. Held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Road, the event is designed to provide residents with practical information on how to protect your livestock as well as living in bear country.

If you live in North Idaho, you live in bear country, plain and simple, Idaho Fish and Game officials said.

"North Idaho is home to both black and grizzly bears, and

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