Even in northeast Montana, residents and recreationists encouraged to be 'bear aware'

from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would like all folks to be "Bear Aware" this spring, even in northeast Montana.

Although bear encounters are rare in most of FWP Region 6, there are known black bears present in the Little Rockies and the Bear Paw Mountains and grizzly bears have been confirmed the last two years southwest of Havre. Bears are occasionally found wandering far from the mountains, and preventative measures should always be taken to prevent wildlife encounters.

During the last several years, grizzly bears have been expanding out of their recovery zones, including to the prairies east of the Rocky Mountain Front. In June of 2020, area residents reported a grizzly bear in several locations west of Big Sandy. In April of 2021, a pair of grizzly bears were seen about 15 miles northwest of Big Sandy.

So far, grizzlies have not remained in these areas, however, sightings are likely to become more frequent as the population expands. Grizzly bears remain federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Bears can literally be anywhere in Montana, and Montanans need to be smart about living with or near them. This includes preventing situations that bring bears close to people, such as exposure to unnatural food attractants.

It is unlawful to intentionally feed bears. When bears access garbage and other food sources, they can become food-conditioned, which is potentially dangerous. Wildlife officials often must euthanize food-conditioned bears in the interest of public safety, a situation that everyone wants to avoid. A much better option is to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned in the first place.

To minimize encounters with bears or other wildlife, residents are encouraged to:

• Remove or secure food attractants such as garbage, bird feeders, and pet food.

• Clean up any spilled grain or other attractants.

• Keep chickens and other small livestock secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door.

• Remove bone piles or keep far away from homes and livestock.

• Pick up domestic fruit as soon as possible.

• Stay at least 100 yards away from wildlife and try to haze animals off their property with hard-sided vehicles and loud noises.

In addition, recreationists are urged to "Be Bear Aware" and follow precautionary steps to prevent conflicts in areas with bears, including carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it, avoiding dense brush, and traveling in groups while making noise.

If you see a bear near your residence in central or north-central Montana, please report the activity as soon as possible to Wesley Sarmento at 406-450-1097, Chad White at 406-788-4755, 1-800-TIP-MONT, or your local FWP office.

There are many resources available to residents, hunters, and other recreationists on ways to prevent bear and other wildlife interactions, some of which can be found at

https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware .