Outdoors: With big game season in full swing, be bear and lion aware

The general deer and elk season opened last weekend, and while warmer weather may be an obstacle at times for big game hunters, it's also very welcome to a certain animal that frequents many areas of big game hunting in Montana.

Bears, both grizzlies and black, are still out in full force this fall, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has put together important reminders for hunters who venture out in bear territory.

Be bear aware

Grizzly bear populations are continuing to expand in western Montana, and though we often say that anywhere in the western half of the state is grizzly bear country, not all recreationists, particularly hunters, are ready to encounter a grizzly bear.

• Carry bear spray, be prepared and know how to use it,

• Hunt with a partner and let someone else know your plans,

• Pay attention to fresh bear sign. Look for bear tracks, scat, and concentrations of natural foods,

• Use caution when hunting areas that have evidence of bear activity or areas with scavenging birds such as magpies, ravens or crows,

• Get harvested big game out of the woods quickly,

• Upon returning to a site where harvested game is left unattended, study the site from a distance for any movement or changes and signal your approach by making plenty of noise,

• Never attempt to frighten or haze a bear from a carcass,

• Contact FWP if a bear has consumed a carcass or covered it with debris rendering it unsalvageable.

• If you do shoot something and have to come back to pack out all or part of it, move the meat away from the entrails, if possible.

For more on living with bears and being bear aware, visit FWP's website at http://www.fwp.mt.gov/; then click Be Bear Aware. Bear resistant products are described on the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's website at http://www.igbconline.org/. A "How to Hunt Safely in Grizzly Country" brochure is also available at FWP regional offices.

Bear spray - carry it, know how to use it

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray and urges hunters to learn other bear-aware safety measures. Most grizzly bears will leave an area if they sense human presence. Hunters who observe a grizzly bear or suspect a bear is nearby should leave the area. If you do encounter a grizzly, stay calm, don't run, and assess the situation by trying to determine if the bear is actually aware of you. Is it, for instance, threatening or fleeing? Always keep the bear in sight as you back away and leave the area.

Guidelines for using bear spray

• Bear spray should be used as a deterrent only in an aggressive or attacking confrontation with a bear.

• Each person should carry a can of bear spray.

• If a bear is moving toward you from a distance of 30-60 feet direct the spray downward toward the front of the bear so that the bear spray billows up and creates a cloud that acts as a barrier between you and the bear.

• If the bear is within 30 feet spray continuously at the front of the bear until it breaks off its charge.

• Spray additional bursts if the bear continues toward you. Sometimes just the noise of the spray and the appearance of the spray cloud is enough to deter a bear from continuing its charge.

• Spray additional bursts if the bear makes additional charges.

• A full canister of bear spray is essential for bear encounters.

• The expiration date on the spray should be checked annually.

• Purchase products that are clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears," and that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

No deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray has demonstrated success in a variety of situations in fending off threatening and attacking bears and preventing injury to the person and animal involved.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds hunters that mountain lions are also in pursuit of prey this time of year and are most active at dawn and dusk. Lions feeding on a kill are potentially dangerous and should never be approached. A feeding lion in defense of food may suddenly become aggressive. Lions cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and litter. These food caches should also be avoided.

Any lion that appears to be habituated to or acting aggressively toward humans should be immediately reported to FWP.

Knowing what to do if you do encounter a mountain lion can reduce the potential for a conflict. Here are a few tips:

• Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

• Do not run from a lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Do not turn your back. Make eye contact. If there are small children nearby, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

• Do not crouch down or bend over. A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. Appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children.

• Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

If a lion attacks

If you are unarmed, you can use bear pepper spray to deter the lion. Many potential victims have also fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

If you have a firearm, and know how to use it safely and effectively, Montana law allows you to kill a mountain lion to defend yourself, another person or a domestic dog. If you do kill a lion in self-defense, you must report it to FWP within 72 hours.