Montanans should be prepared for encounters with bears

Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in new places each year.

That means being prepared for such encounters is more important than ever, both to keep people and property safe and to cultivate healthy bear behavior.

In a recent example, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks became aware of a video depicting a bear in the Highwood Mountains, east of Great Falls. The bear was seen near the U.S. Forest Service boundary along Thain Creek. It's possible the bear was a grizzly, which would make this an early sighting of grizzlies in this area. FWP cannot confirm the species of the bear based on the video footage, but it is investigating the sighting. Black bears are observed in this area regularly, and grizzly bears could also be present.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, the Forest Service and Tribal lands. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Several grizzly bear recovery areas exist in or near Montana, including the Selkirk, Cabinet-Yaak, Northern Continental Divide, Bitterroot and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.

Grizzlies are expanding beyond these recovery zones and arriving in places where Montanans may not be used to seeing them. This signals progress in the recovery of the species, but it also creates new challenges for people who live, work and recreate in these areas. However, there are many steps people can take to reduce conflicts and negative encounters with grizzlies and black bears.

What you can do

Residents can help by removing or securing potential bear attractants around their property. Bird feeders, pet food, garbage and other attractants should be stored securely. Bear-resistant garbage containers are available to residents in many areas. Chickens and other small livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing.

If a bear finds a human-related food source, it is likely to return to the same place to look for food and lose natural foraging behavior in the wild. Situations where bears become habituated to human-occupied places creates risks for people and property and may require problem bears to be relocated or destroyed.

Recreationists and people who work outdoors should always be prepared to handle a bear encounter. Most bear attacks on humans happen in surprise close encounters. Activities that are deliberately quiet or fast moving, such as hunting, mountain biking or trail running, put people at greater risk for surprising a bear. When you're outside, keep these precautions in mind:

Be aware of your surroundings and look for bear sign.

Read signs at trailheads and stay on trails. Be especially careful around creeks and in areas with dense brush.

Carry bear spray. Know how to use it and be prepared to deploy it at a second's notice.

Travel in groups whenever possible and make casual noise, which can help alert bears to your presence.

Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.

Follow Forest Service food storage orders, which have been in effect for public lands in Montana since March 1.

If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Back away slowly and leave the area.

For more information on avoiding negative encounters with bears, visit igbconline.org/bear-safety.