Big Sky Country was the home of huge carnivores before humans ever arrived. The people that did show up ended up on the Bears menu. Humans are soft, bags of water. We do not have scales, thick hides, spines, or other protective layers. Our thin skins are no match for the sharp canine teeth of bears, lions, wolves, and sharp toothed critters.
Eventually, people and predators learned to get along, most of the time. More modern weapons and other protections nearly wiped out other predator populations. This meant more deer, elk, bison, and other food sources for humans.
Modern Science looks for a balance in the ecosystem, so the Grizzly bear population has been allowed to grow. The problem is that there is less habitat for bears and what habitat there is near humans. Conflicts are bound to happen.
Two more Grizzly bears found this out the hard way recently.
A Grizzly was shot by wardens in Gardiner, Montana. This bear was first seen in early June. Trash was available for the bear and the male became more reliant on humans for food. The FWP attempted to trap the bear without success. On July 18th, the bear broke into a Maiden Basin home in search of food. After the bear was done feeding, he was found lying in the Yellowstone River, where he was shot.
A 72-year-old man was solo huckleberry picking, in the Flathead National Forest, when a female grizzly charged him. He was packing a side arm and shot the bear. FWP officials investigated the incident t and found no cubs involved. Apparently, the man surprised the bear and she defended herself. The man also ended up pin the hospital.
Bear break ins and assaults do happen in Montana. People need to be prepared to deal with an encounter. No one wants to have an encounter, but the grizzly population is growing. Be Bear Aware when you are visiting the bears’ habitat. Do not feed and encourage bears to enter your habitat.
Both bear incidents were a result of a close human encounter that usually ends with the bear paying the bill. A fed bear is a dead bear. A surprised bear, especially with cubs will defend themselves.
These lethal encounters are avoidable.
Montana Grant
