From FWP Region 3
FWP game wardens recently captured a black bear at the Bert Mooney Airport near Butte. The bear was also seen in town the night before entering the airport property. There was no indication the bear had obtained unsecured garbage or other attractants in town, so FWP staff sedated the bear, loaded it into a trap and released it west of Wisdom.
Montana is bear country. This time of year, bears are active for many hours of the day looking for food in preparation for hibernation. This means residents and recreationists may encounter bears more frequently.
Residents, businesses and visitors are asked to store food, garbage and other attractants securely indoors or in certified bear-resistant containers. Don’t leave garbage cans out overnight. If you have fruit trees, make sure to collect the fruit as it becomes ripe, and keep the area around the tree free of fallen fruit. If you see a bear in town, contact FWP as soon as possible.
Avoiding conflicts with bears is far better than dealing with such conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:
– Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
– Travel in groups whenever possible and make noise, which can help alert bears to your presence.
– Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
– Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs, turned-over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
– Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
– If you encounter a bear, never approach it.
– Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building from March until December. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected; don’t leave it outside overnight. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
– Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety.
For more information, resources and education events on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware
