UPDATES
September 26, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Region-wide: Approximately five black bears have been killed on highways and interstates over the last month as they try to access low-elevation native foods.
Rattlesnake: There continue to be multiple reports of black bear activity in the Rattlesnake. This includes multiple females with cubs. Contain all attractants and pick fruit. FWP did euthanize a black bear the evening of September 25. It is believed that this bear was hit by a car and suffered serious internal damage, but the incident is still under investigation. People in Greenough and Pineview parks have seen multiple bears at all times of day. Please carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Grant Creek and Butler Creek: Multiple black bears have been seen feeding on domestic fruit. A black bear was suspected of testing a screen door in lower Grant Creek (Prospect). FWP is monitoring. Please contain all attractants.
Bitterroot Valley: FWP has been fielding multiple reports of black bears in garbage and domestic fruit.
Rock Creek: A black bear got into a bee yard. This bear was removed by Wildlife Services and FWP is working with the bee yard owners to install an electric fence.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Blackfoot: Thanks to the folks in Ovando who worked to get apples in town picked. If you have domestic fruit, please pick it as soon as possible. The Blackfoot valley has seen higher conflicts with grizzly bears this year than the last few years, mostly garbage and livestock feed related. This is likely due to the number of uncontained attractants.
Helmville: FWP has a trap set for two grizzly bears that have been getting into garbage. FWP has an electric fence now set up around the burn barrels.
Aunt Molly WMA and river bottoms of Blackfoot: Bowhunters and black bear hunters should be especially careful and bear aware in these areas. Multiple grizzly bears are utilizing the area. FWP has fielded multiple reports of bowhunters seeing grizzly bears at close range with one bowhunter having to spray a grizzly with bear spray. Grizzly bears have been reported at the bottom of tree stands. Scent lure can also attract bears.
Lincoln: Bowhunters have encountered grizzly bears at close range in the upper ridge systems near the continental divide.
Placid Lake: A grizzly bear has been seen multiple times and has investigated bear-resistant and empty garbage containers.
Upper Clearwater: FWP has fielded multiple reports of grizzly bear activity in the upper Clearwater area.
MOUNTAIN LIONS
Region-wide – FWP continues to field multiple reports of mountain lions throughout Region 2 in areas where deer and elk are congregating and near residential sites where there is irrigation that draws in deer.
September 18, 2018
HUNTING SEASON: REGION-WIDE
FWP has received reports of archery and bird hunters seeing grizzly bears. There was an anonymous report of a bow hunter who used bear spray to deter a bear in the Ovando area. Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Black bear hunters be aware that grizzly bears could be seen anywhere in Western Montana. Know your bear species and how to properly store attractants. For more information go to FWP’s site on bears and hunters.
BLACK BEAR
Rattlesnake: There have been multiple reports of black bears active in the Rattlesnake and the Rattlesnake Recreation Area. This includes a bear seen eating apples near a bus stop on Raymond. Great Bear Foundation is looking into picking these apples. Please pick domestic fruit and contain all attractants.
Mount Sentinel: A black bear was in the University Area and on Mount Sentinel. FWP is monitoring.
Pattee Canyon and South Hills: There have been reports of black bears in the area feeding on domestic fruit and the remaining native berries such as hawthorn and chokecherries.
Lolo: There continues to be black bear activity in the neighborhoods. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner.
Ravalli County: FWP has fielded multiple reports of bears in garbage and domestic fruit. FWP continues to reach out to communities in Ravalli County to reduce bear conflicts in the area.
O’Brien Creek/Big Flat: Black bears have been seen eating domestic fruit and natural foods such as hawthorn and rose hips.
Turah area: There have been reports of a black bear getting into apples and chicken feed. FWP is investigating.
Seeley Lake: There have been multiple reports of several black bears getting into various attractants. A female black bear with young was relocated. A second adult male black bear was also trapped and relocated. An additional trap has been set for another black bear getting into attractants near homes.
Grant Creek: There have been numerous black bears using the Grant Creek area for natural foods such as hawthorn and domestic fruit. There was a report of a black bear breaking into a vehicle in Upper Grant Creek. FWP has set a trap for this bear.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Clearwater/Blackfoot: There have been multiple reports of grizzly bear activity near chokecherry and abundant hawthorns in the lower elevations and near residential sites. FWP has set traps for a grizzly bear that has been getting into garbage, burn barrels, and apples in the Ovando area.
Seeley: FWP continues to get reports of an individual grizzly bear that has gotten into bird feeders and garbage. FWP is monitoring.
September 6, 2018
GRIZZLY BEAR
Blackfoot: FWP has a trap set for a grizzly bear that has repeatedly accessed uncontained attractants.
Seeley: A grizzly bear got into uncontained garbage north of Seeley. FWP is working with the landowner to find a solution for the uncontained garbage.
MOUNTAIN LION
Rattlesnake: FWP is monitoring for mountain lion activity in the area after a report of a dead house cat. At this time, it is unclear what killed the house cat. Coyotes, foxes and raccoons are are also in the area and have been known to kill house cats.
Potomac Area: There have been reports of mountain lions seen near residences.
September 4, 2018
BLACK BEAR
Rattlesnake: There are multiple black bears, including at least one family group, active in the Rattlesnake neighborhoods. They have likely come into the valley for the domestic fruit that is ripe. It is important that everyone contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner and pick fruit as soon as possible. Do not put out garbage the night before pick up. There have been reports of people seeing bears on the trails bear Pineview Park. Whenever recreating in bear country, please be aware of your surroundings, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Headphones are not recommended when recreating in bear country. Bears are active on the trails that run through the Rattlesnake neighborhoods.
Lolo: Black bears continue to find uncontained garbage. FWP removed a trap they had set for a bear that had broken into several cars. This bear was not caught.
Seeley Lake: There have been numerous reports of bear activity in the Seeley Lake area. Bears are accessing uncontained garbage. FWP has a couple of traps set for a black bear. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up or until you can remove the garbage. Bring in bird feeders and do not leave pet food outside. Electric fencing can be effective at keeping bears out of livestock and property.
South Hills: Black bear activity has been reported in the Chief Charlo area. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Bring in bird feeders and pick fruit.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Seeley Lake: There are multiple grizzly bears active in the Seeley Lake area. There have been reports of grizzly bears getting into uncontained garbage and trying to get into bear-resistant garbage containers. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up or until you can remove the garbage. Bring in bird feeders and do not leave pet food outside. Electric fencing can be effective at keeping bears out of livestock and property. Whenever recreating in bear country please bear aware of your surroundings, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Headphones are not recommended when recreating in bear country.
Clearwater Junction Area: There have been multiple grizzly bears seen in the area feeding on chokecherries along the river corridor. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Whenever recreating in bear country please bear aware of your surroundings, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Headphones are not recommended when recreating in bear country.
Ovando: FWP has a trap set to capture a grizzly bear that has been near homes in the area feeding on apples and other attractants.
Hwy 83: FWP captured and will relocate a female grizzly bear that was staying too close to the highway feeding on snowberry, chokecherry and discarded fish along Salmon lake.