UPDATES
May 30, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Pattee: A black bear accessed a garage in the Pattee Canyon area. The door was left open and the bear pulled out garbage. Please keep all garage doors closed, even if you are home.
Ridgway/Lolo: FWP has set a trap for a bear repeatedly getting into garbage and staying near homes. They have not caught this bear yet. There continues to be bear activity in the area.
Mill Creek: A female black bear with two yearlings has been getting into uncontained garbage and went onto a porch for garbage and birdseed. FWP is monitoring.
GRIZZLY BEAR
South of Seeley: A grizzly bear got into a barn by opening the door and tried to access a pigeon coop. This bear has been getting into multiple attractants over the last couple of weeks. FWP has set a trap for this bear.
MOUNTAIN LION
Waterworks Hill: A woman saw a mountain lion kill a deer. This did not occur close to homes.
Orchard Homes: A lion was observed in the area. FWP is monitoring this activity.
May 24, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Grant Creek/Prospect: A black bear got into uncontained garbage. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.
Rattlesnake: A black bear got into uncontained garbage. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.
Lolo: A black bear was seen in a backyard in the Ridgeway area. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.
Potomac: There were reports of black bear activity close to homes in the area.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Clearwater Drainage: FWP is planning on trapping a grizzly bear that has repeatedly been getting into garbage.
Hwy 200 East of Lincoln: A family group has been seen off the highway.
MOUNTAIN LION
Anaconda in Washoe Park area: FWP is relocating a fresh mountain lion kill (carcass).
May 23, 2018
Region-wide: Across the region there have been numerous reports of black bears accessing uncontained garbage. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up or until you can remove it from site. With the upcoming holiday weekend people are heading into the woods to recreate. National Forests often have food storage regulations to prevent conflicts between people and bears. Make sure you are keeping a clean camp and following proper food storage regulations. To check to see if the Forest you are recreating in has a Food Storage Order check the Interagency Grizzly Bear Subcommittee website. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Seeley Lake: FWP is monitoring and are expecting to set a trap for a male grizzly bear that has been getting into garbage in the area.
East of Ovando: A resident saw a grizzly bear in their yard. They were able to run the bear off and the bear has not returned. FWP is working with this family to install an electric fence.
River Junction Area: There have been reports of a family group of grizzly bears and a lone grizzly bear swimming the river adjacent to the campground. Contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Do not leave garbage, coolers, food, etc. out and accessible to bears while using this area. Clean picnic tables after use.
MOUNTAIN LION
Clinton: A mountain lion was seen passing through a backyard. FWP is monitoring.
Alberton: A mountain lion was seen passing through a backyard. FWP is monitoring.
May 22, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Rattlesnake: A black bear came through an open window to obtain dog food. FWP is monitoring the situation and will probably attempt to capture this bear. The same bear is believed to be getting into garbage in other areas of the Rattlesnake and Grant Creek. All garbage and attractants should be contained in a bear-resistant manner. Do not place garbage out until the morning of pick up.
Seeley Lake: There have been reports of bears accessing uncontained garbage and bird feeders. If you have livestock such as chickens, pigs, or goats they should be contained in a bear-resistant electric fence to prevent depredations. There are technical and financial resources available to assist with installation of bear-resistant electric fencing.
Lower Clark Fork: There continue to be reports of black bears getting into uncontained garbage.
Florence orphaned cub Photo courtesy FWP
East of Florence: The orphaned black bear that was captured last week was taken to the Helena rehab center. It is unknown what happened to the female. FWP is investigating.
Lolo: Several black bears continue to get into garbage in the area. FWP is continuing to monitor this ongoing situation. It is important that you do not put garbage out until the morning of pick up.
Huson/Six Mile: A black bear broke into a bear-resistant garbage cage by bending the metal last week and the container has been fixed. FWP is monitoring this issue. If the bear continues to try and break into the enclosure FWP will attempt to trap this bear. There are ongoing issues with bears getting into uncontained garbage throughout the area
O’Brien Creek/Big Flat: There were no reports of bear activity in the area over the weekend but black bears had repeatedly gotten into uncontained garbage in recent weeks. Please contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Clearwater Junction: A pig was killed by a bear of unknown species. Wildlife officials have set traps and FWP is working with the landowner to get an electric fence installed.
May 17, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Lolo: FWP is investigating reports of possible Lolo: FWP is investigating reports of possible wildlife feeding in Lolo. Bears are accessing garbage in the Lolo area and FWP is monitoring. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner and bring in bird feeders. An orphan cub was rescued by FWP in the foothills east of Lolo and FWP is investigating the situation.
Ninemile: Two yearling black bear cubs were injured on I90 last week and were euthanized due to the severity of their injuries.
Grant Creek: A black bear attempted to access two bear-resistant garbage containers in lower Grant Creek and was unsuccessful. Great job using bear-resistant containers!
Huson: A black bear broke into a bear-resistant compound and accessed garbage. FWP is monitoring and may have to set a trap.
May 16, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Lower Rattlesnake: There have been multiple reports of black bears getting into garbage in the lower Rattlesnake. Garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up. Do not put cans out the night before. This area is within the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone and Animal Control will start issuing tickets for garbage left out and accessible to bears. Republic Services has bear-resistant containers that can be rented for an additional fee.
Lolo: A black bear has been getting into unsecured garbage. This may be the same bear that was seen chasing chickens in the area. Chicken coops and other attractants can be effectively secured using electric fencing. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up and bring in bird feeders.
Grant Creek: A black bear tried to get into a bear-resistant garbage container but did not access any garbage. A black bear was also seen near a residential area. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.
Bitterroot: There have been multiple reports of black bears getting into garbage and bird feeders all through the Bitterroot. Bring in bird feeders and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.
Frenchtown: There have been reports of a black bear getting into garbage. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup or until you can take it away.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Seeley Lake: FWP is monitoring reports of grizzly bear activity. Secure all attractants in a bear-resistant manner.
Blackfoot: FWP has continued to receive reports of grizzly bear activity throughout the river bottoms and foothills in the Blackfoot valley.
Swan Clearwater: Black bear hunters continue to report grizzly bear activity throughout the area.
MOUNTAIN LION
Carlton Creek: There was a report of a mountain lion behind a residence. FWP is monitoring.
South Hills/Moose Can Gully: FWP is monitoring reports of lion activity in the area.
May 10, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Rattlesnake: Black bear activity is increasing in the Rattlesnake. There are reports of bears in the Rattlesnake accessing garbage that has been put out the night before or left out all week. One bear is actively tipping garbage cans. If you live in the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone it is against the law to leave garbage out and accessible to bears. Animal Control is starting to investigate reports of violations of Missoula’s ordinances and issue tickets. Republic Services is offering bear-resistant containers at half price for residents in the Rattlesnake Valley ($5 additional/month & first-come, first-served). Call 543-3157 to order a cart. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner and bring in all bird feeders.
Bitterroot Valley: A black bear accessed a shed and killed a goat in the Bitterroot. Wildlife Services is investigating.
Seeley Area: Black bears are accessing attractants (freezer, dog food, garbage) in the Seeley area. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner and bring in bird feeders.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Clearwater/Blackfoot Area: There have been reports of grizzly bear sightings in the Clearwater/Blackfoot drainages. There was a calf depredation in the Helmville area which is being investigated.
Seeley Area: A grizzly bear accessed garbage at a residence in the Seeley area and was loaned a bear-resistant container. The bear seems to be investigating other sites in the area. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. This might be a sturdy, secured shed or a bear-resistant container. Bring in all bird feeders and contain all attractants on your property.
MOUNTAIN LION
Rattlesnake: There was a mountain lion sighting in the upper Rattlesnake area and FWP is monitoring.
May 3, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Rattlesnake: A black bear attempted to get into a bear-resistant garbage container last night in the lower Rattlesnake. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is monitoring this bear’s activity. If you are not already doing so, it is time to secure all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up and contain all other attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Bring in bird feeders.
Black bear in the Lower Rattlesnake
O’Brien Creek: There have been reports of a bear getting into garbage. Please contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Seeley Lake: There was a report of a grizzly bear moving through the south end of Seeley lake. There have been several reports of a black bear moving through the Double Arrow residential area. Contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner.
Blackfoot: There was a report of two grizzly bears crossing the highway between Ovando and Lincoln.
May 1, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Region-wide: FWP has received an increase number of calls about people seeing black bears near residential areas and feeding on green grass. Please contain all attractants and bring in bird feeders.
Rattlesnake: We have now had reports of black bear activity both in the Upper and Lower Rattlesnake. There has been a report of a black bear trying to get into a bear-resistant garbage container in the Lower Rattlesnake. It is very important that all garbage is contained in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up. Also contain all other attractants in a bear-resistant manner and bring in bird feeders. Those recreating in the Rattlesnake should carry bear spray and know how to use it.
O’Brien Creek: FWP is monitoring reports of a black bear getting into garbage cans in the area. FWP has launched the neighborhood network phone tree to keep folks informed. Please contain garbage until the morning of pick up in a bear-resistant manner.
MOUNTAIN LION
Potomac: FWP is investigating reports of a mountain lion being killed last week in the act of killing chickens and turkeys during the day. Another lion was removed after killing lambs. Electric fence can be an effective tool to secure small livestock from predators.
Mount Jumbo/East Missoula: There have been reports of a mountain lion on Mount Jumbo in East Missoula. FWP is monitoring.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Blackfoot and Clearwater: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bear sign, including tracks and digging, throughout the area. Please carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Helmville: As part of a management action, FWP relocated an adult male grizzly bear to the Glacier National Park area. There is a female with three cubs active in the area.