September 28, 2023

St. Regis – A black bear got into a chicken coop. The homeowner is working on installing an electric fence.

Big Flat – There have been multiple reports of black bears in garbage and domestic fruit. Do not put garbage out until the morning of pickup. Bring in birdfeeders and contain all other attractants. Pick fruit as soon as possible.

Rattlesnake – There are 3 black bear family groups active in the neighborhoods. One has been seen near campus and Madison Street and has also been reported in homeless camps. FWP did haze her yesterday and the day before. A black bear and cubs encountered a woman and her dog in Greenough Park and was defensive with the dog. There continues to be bear activity in all the parks along Rattlesnake Creek. Carry bear spray and know how to use it, even in these neighborhood parks. There is a lot of bear activity this time of year, so it is recommended that dogs be on leash. There are also 4-5 lone black bears active in the neighborhoods and more are expected as domestic fruit ripens. Bears are feeding on chokecherries, domestic fruit and unfortunately finding uncontained garbage. Please contain attractants, do not put garbage out until the morning of pickup. Contact your local waste hauler about bear-resistant container options. Bring in bird feeders.

Grant Creek – Residents have seen black bears feeding on chokecherries.

Bonner, Milltown, Turah and Clinton – There have been several reports of black bears getting into garbage, bird feeders and domestic fruit trees. In Clinton, a black bear got into a chicken coop. The homeowner is working on installing an electric fence. There continues to be grizzly bear activity in the Clinton area. FWP is monitoring. Bring in bird feeders. Do not put out garbage until the morning of pickup. Contain all attractants. A properly installed bear resistant electric fence can be effective at containing multiple attractants, including chicken coops.

Potomac – A black bear got into a chicken coop. There are also multiple black and grizzly bears getting into garbage in the Potomac area. FWP is monitoring this activity and working with the community. Contact your local waste hauler about a bear-resistant garbage container. Do not put garbage out until the morning of pickup.

Clearwater and Blackfoot – A grizzly bear was reported feeding on apples in the Helmville area. There have been multiple sightings of grizzly bears by residents and bow hunters. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Lolo and the Bitterroot Valley – There have been numerous reports of black bears in garbage, pulling down birdfeeder and feeding on chokecherries. Chokecherries are a natural food resource but please contain all attractants. Bring in bird feeders. Contact your local waste hauler about a bear-resistant garbage container. Do not put garbage out until the morning of pickup. A small dog was killed by a mountain lion. FWP responded and was not able to catch the mountain lion as of yesterday.

Drummond, Phillipsburg, Georgetown Lake, and Anaconda – There have been numerous reports of black bears in garbage and pulling down bird feeders. Please contain all attractants. Bring in bird feeders, pick apples and store garbage in a bear-resistant manner until it is removed.

September 12, 2023

Regionwide – Conflict reports are picking up. Bears are entering hyperphagia and will be heavily focused on getting as many calories as they can. Conflicts will continue to rise this time of year and usually peak in October. It is particularly important you secure attractants on your property now if you have not done so already. There are multiple reports coming in across Region 2 of bears eating domestic fruit and unfortunately finding bird feeders and garbage. It seems to be a good season for domestic fruit and bears will key into this potential food resource. Please pick your fruit and store garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up. Bring in bird feeders. Carry bear spray and know how to use it, even when out on trails close to town. September is Bear Aware Month is Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has a lot of great programs scheduled and educational information related to Bear Aware Month.

Anaconda/Georgetown – Black bear conflicts reports have picked up in the area. Please contain all attractants and bring in bird feeders. A trap is set for a black bear getting into garbage in the Georgetown Lake area.

Big Flat – Black bears have been reported in the area. Please pick fruit and contain attractants. Bring in birdfeeders.

Bitterroot – There have been numerous reports of black bears feeding on domestic fruit and finding unsecured garbage across all areas of the Bitterroot. Please pick fruit and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up. FWP has trapped and relocated two black bears out of the Florence area. Multiple black bears have also been seen on local golf courses. A homeowner shot a black bear that was on the property.

Clinton/Bonner/Turah – There have been multiple black bears getting into garbage and bird feeders in the area. Several reports of black bears in garbage have come from the Wallace Creek area. There have been 3-4 lone grizzly bears confirmed moving through the area. One or two of them has gotten into unsecured garbage. Two of the grizzly bears do have collars and FWP is monitoring their activity. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up. Contact your waste hauler about a bear-resistant container option. Bring in bird feeders. Other attractants like chicken coops, small livestock and livestock feed can be effectively secured with a bear-resistant electric fence.

Grant Creek – Bear activity is picking up in the area. Please contain attractants.

Helmville – A grizzly bear was seen feeding on apples. FWP is working with the community on ideas for apple gleaning.

Lower Clark Fork – There have been reports of black bears getting into garbage in both the Superior and St. Regis areas.

Ninemile – There have been reports of a grizzly bear in the area and multiple black bears. Please contain attractants. Bring in bird feeders.

Pattee Canyon – Black bear activity has been reported in the area. Please contain attractants. Carry bear spray and know how to use it when recreating on trails in the area.

Potomac – There are both black bears and grizzly bears active in the area. FWP has received reports of bears getting into garbage. Please contain your garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pick up.

Rattlesnake – There are at least 4 black bears, including a female with a cub that have been getting into unsecured garbage in the Rattlesnake. Animal Control is patrolling and issuing tickets if garbage is left out and available to bears in the bear buffer zone. Please pick domestic fruit. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner and bring in birdfeeders.

University Area – Black bear activity has been reported in the area. Please contain attractants.

September 1, 2023

Regionwide – Conflict reports of black bears remain low. There is still good berry production but some bears are starting to transition to domestic fruit. It is really important to contain all attractants.

Bitterroot – There have been multiple reports of black bears in orchards and getting into garbage.

Blackfoot and Clearwater – Multiple grizzly bears have been seen feeding on berries.

Clinton/Turah – There have been reports of black bears in getting into garbage. Please contain attractants. Do not put garbage out until the morning of pickup. There has been reports of a grizzly bear in the area. FWP continues to monitor this. A mountain lion killed goats in the Turah area.

University Area/East Missoula – Black bears continue to be observed feeding on berries along Hellgate Canyon.

Ninemile/Huson –  FWP continues to received reports of a grizzly bear in the area. A grizzly did get into a chicken coop but got shocked by their electric fence and left. Electric fence can be very effective at deterring wildlife from getting chickens and other attractants. There were multiple incidents of a mountain lion that killed chickens and housecats. FWP is monitoring this situation.

Rattlesnake – There was a black bear seen eating domestic fruit.

Lower Clark Fork – A mountain lion killed goats. Wildlife Services investigated.