Updates: June 3, 2022
BLACK BEAR
Seeley Lake: There have been multiple incidents with black bears getting into garbage. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until it is picked up or removed.
Lincoln: A black bear was killed after approaching people at a residence.
Potomac: There are multiple black bears getting into garbage. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until it is picked up.
Bitterroot: There have been multiple conflicts with black bears getting into garbage, chicken coops, bird feeders and other attractants. A properly installed electric fence is an effective way to secure multiple attractants from bears. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner.
Lolo: There are reports of a black bear that has been on porches and has been getting into garbage. Bring in bird feeders and secure garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup.
Bonner/Milltown/Easy Street: There have been multiple reports of black bears in residential areas and getting into unsecured garbage. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup. Bring in bird feeders.
Hip Strip/Osprey Stadium: A black bear has been seen on multiple occasions in the area. FWP is attempting to capture and relocate this bear to a more remote area. While bears do occasionally travel down the river corridor this is not a great place for a bear to be due to the level of human activity and development.
Lower Clark Fork: FWP has had multiple reports of black bears getting into uncontained garbage.
Rattlesnake: There are multiple black bears getting into uncontained garbage. A large portion of the Rattlesnake is within the Bear Buffer Zone where you are required to make sure your garbage is not accessible to bears. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup. Do not put out bird feeders. Properly installed bear-resistant electric fencing can be an effective way to secure chicken coops and other attractants.
Miller Creek: Black bears have been getting into garbage. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup.
Pattee Creek: Black bears have been getting into garbage on multiple occasions. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup. If you leave garbage out all week, ask your waste hauler about obtaining a bear-resistant garbage container. Even with bear-resistant garbage cans it is still recommended that you only put the garbage out the morning of pickup. This can lengthen the lifespan of bear-resistant containers.
GRIZZLY BEAR
Outside of Bonner: FWP did have to preemptively capture two, two-year old grizzly bears. One was missing a foot and was euthanized and the other one was relocated to a more remote site within the likely home range. A news article was posted.
Potomac: A lone grizzly bear is in the area and has gotten into garbage and chicken coops. Properly installed bear-resistant electric fencing can be an effective way to secure chicken coops and other attractants. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup.
Seeley Lake: FWP responded to two reports of a grizzly bear near homes. The grizzly bear was grazing on grass in the yard and eventually moved on. A grizzly bear with young was also seen near a residence in the area.
Ninemile Prairie: There has been grizzly bear activity in the area. FWP is monitoring.
MOUNTAIN LION
Sleeman area: There was a mountain lion depredation. Wildlife Services responded to that incident.