October 29, 2024
REGION-WIDE
Happy Halloween! Bears are still active so it is recommended that parents accompany trick-or-treaters in neighborhoods and communities with ongoing bear activity. This is especially important in areas where bears are routinely accessing uncontained garbage. This includes, but is not limited to, the Rattlesnake Drainage, Grant Creek, Lolo, Anaconda, Seeley Lake, Lincoln, Florence, Bonner and Clinton. Also, keep in mind that some bears have learned to feed on pumpkins. While it has been cooler and a bit snowy, bears will remain active through November. Do not put out bird feeders until December 1st.
October 1, 2024
REGION-WIDE
Grizzly Bear: Grizzly bear activity is being reported throughout the Clearwater and Blackfoot Drainages. Grizzly bears are being reported by the public in the Missoula North Hills, Clinton area, and Ninemile Drainage. FWP also continues to field reports of grizzly activity (tracks and photos) in the Deer Lodge, Little Blackfoot, Flint, Boulder, Prickly Pear, and Big Hole Valleys. There have been no recent reports of grizzly bear activity in the Bitterroot Valley. Communities in Region 2 (R2) should expect to see more grizzly bears as they slowly expand into historic ranges.
Black Bear: Rural and urban areas throughout R2 are seeing an upsurge of black bear activity. Bears have now entered hyperphagia and will be searching for foods in preparation for winter-denning. Black bear activity is occurring throughout R2 and there have been multiple incidents of black bears accessing garbage, bird feeders, chicken feed, and other attractants. Now is the time to be especially diligent. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner and remove all bird feeders. All chicken feed and livestock feed should be stored in a stout building or contained within a steel container with a locking lid. Do not leave your garage doors open and keep garbage contained inside a building, if possible, until the morning of garbage pickup. Garbage stored outside in a bear-resistant container can still encourage a bear to check out the premises. Bear-resistant garbage cans are available through Grizzly Disposal, Republic Services, and Granite County Disposal.
Berry and Fruit Trees: Bow hunters and recreationists are still observing some huckleberry production in the higher elevations, but most of the huckleberries will be gone by mid-October. Choke cherries are available to bears in some areas but most have dropped. Bears are currently feeding on hawthorn, bear berry, elderberry, red -osier dogwood, wild plum, and mountain ash. Communities in the Bitterroot and Missoula Five Valleys are currently experiencing an upsurge of bear activity, especially at homesites with domestic fruit. As the hawthorn berry crops dwindle more bears will be seeking out fruit trees through October. Therefore, FWP recommends that the public be vigilant with gleaning fruit trees, especially at homesites in rural areas and along the wildlands urban interface. For more information on the benefits of gleaning fruit trees in bear country or of you are interested in assisting others with picking fruit check out the Great Bear Foundation fill out this form.
Mountain Lion: As usual, FWP is receiving reports of mountain lion activity throughout the region in residential areas and agricultural areas where lawns and irrigated crops attract elk and deer. Remember, feeding and salting for deer is illegal in Montana. By luring big game to your property, you will also draw in predators. As fall progresses into winter and snow levels increase in the surrounding mountains more lions will be relocating to the lower elevations where big game winter. Remember, wherever you see deer or elk activity expect mountain lions to be in the vicinity.
Missoula Bear Buffer Zone: There has been a definitive decrease in bear activity in the Grant Creek and Rattlesnake Drainage residential areas. FWP attributes this to the new garbage ordinance rules. But there are still a handful of residents without garbage service that are attracting bears. And there are several apartment complexes that have not contained their garbage sufficiently. Note, all garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant manner within the Phase 1 area of the revised Missoula Bear Buffer Zone. Be aware that with the new garbage ordinance going into effect, Missoula residents in the Phase 1 portions of the buffer zone may see an influx of bears breaking and entering sheds and garages because of bears escalating their attempts to access garbage. Please let FWP know immediately if bears break into any sheds, building, or homes. After years of accessing uncontained garbage, certain bears may show extreme behaviors associated with food-conditioning and will have to be removed. For information on the Bear Buffer Zone and the Missoula Garbage Ordinance go to the Missoula Bears Community Resources page.
Potomac Bear Buffer Zone: Both Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal are in the process of delivering bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpster to all Potomac residents with garbage service. The Missoula County Potomac Valley bear mitigation area rules went into effect September 1, 2024. Note, all garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Be aware that with the new garbage ordinance going into effect, Potomac residents may be see individual bears escalating their attempts to access garbage. Please let FWP know immediately if bears break into any sheds, building, or homes. After years of accessing uncontained garbage, certain bears may show extreme behaviors associated with food-conditioning and will have to be removed.
Living in Predator Country: While hiking and working in bear country, carry bear spray. Electric fence is an excellent method of containing attractants, fruit trees, and small livestock. For more information on electric fence visit the FWP Be Bear Aware website. There are resources available, both technical and financial, for installing a bear-resistant electric fence. Check out more info at Missoula Bears Attractant Management. Note: several moose have been spotted in and around recreation areas around Missoula and Hamilton. When hiking and jogging be aware and avoid surprising wildlife, especially deer, elk, and moose with newborns.
ALBERTON
Black Bear: Multiple black bears have been observed in the Alberton area. Hawthorn berries are abundant on the edges of town and there have been several reports of a female with two cubs and several lone bears accessing fruit trees and garbage. A second female with cubs broke into a chicken coop near the Alberton Gorge and accessed uncontained chicken feed. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner, take down bird feeders, and pick fruit trees. If you are interested in electrifying your apple trees check out the electric fence at the Brovold Community Orchard. If you are interested in installing electric fence around a bear attractant at your Alberton home check out Bear Smart Alberton. If you want to get more involved with Bear Smart Alberton, check out the group’s Facebook Page: Bear Smart Alberton | Facebook.
ANACONDA, GEORGETOWN, PHILIPSBURG, AND BUTTE
Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bear activity in the Georgetown Lake, Rock Creek, and upper Clark Fork Basin areas.
Black Bear: The Anaconda/Georgetown Lake areas are experiencing a localized natural food failure and bear conflicts have been unprecedented. Bear managers and wardens are working around the clock and the police department is receiving daily calls about black bears getting into garbage, chicken coops, and bird feeders. FWP has responded to hundreds of calls and six black bears have been trapped and relocated out of Anaconda. One of these bears was euthanized. For more information on the bear activity in Anaconda check out this article in the Anaconda Leader. Multiple traps have also been set in the Georgetown Lake area. The Anaconda Job Corp and FWP are monitoring a female with cubs and one lone bear in the Phillipsburg area. A female black bear was euthanized in Butte and her two cubs were taken to the Helena Orphaned Bear Cub Shelter. For more information on this incident check out this KRTV story.
Along the Hwy 1 corridor FWP has been assisting multiple residents with temporary electric fence after bears accessed chicken coops. FWP erected electric fence around garbage dumpsters and grease at a restaurant in Georgetown. The bears coming into the restaurant were shocked and have not returned. FWP is working with the Anaconda Urban Wildlife Task Force and the City of Anaconda on an effort to replace existing garbage cans in Washoe Park with bear-resistant garbage cans. FWP is also working with the Anaconda Job Corp on a protocol for containing all bear attractants. FWP is working with Stokes Market to contain a large roll-off dumpster. Please manage all attractants, remove bird feeders, and pick fruit trees that are adjacent to homes. Electric fence is recommended for containing chickens and small livestock. For more information on the effectiveness of electric fence check out this FWP guide.
BITTERROOT
Grizzly Bear: There was a report of a grizzly bear encounter in the foothills of Ambrose Creek where bears were feeding on choke cherries and hawthorn. FWP investigated the site and set up cameras. Only black bears were photographed. Since the last update FWP has received a handful of additional reports of grizzly bear observations in the Sapphire Range but none of these have been verified. Several were observations of radio-collared black bears from the MPG Ranch’s black bear study. There is no radio collared grizzly bear in the Bitterroot valley at this time. FWP, however, has continued to field verified reports of grizzly tracks and photographs of grizzly bears in Rock Creek and south of the Bitterroot Valley in the Jackson and Wisdom areas.
Black Bear: A good portion of the bear population has moved into the lower elevations. FWP is receiving calls daily on black bears accessing uncontained garbage and fruit throughout the Bitterroot Valley. There have been multiple incidents of black bears accessing bird feeders and chicken coops. Black bears have been accessing attractants and fruit in all the side drainages on the east and west sides of the valley. Large numbers of bears are taking advantage of the bountiful hawthorn, choke cherry and red osier dogwood in the riparian areas and some of these bears are discovering attractants at adjacent homesites. Black bears have been walking porches, getting into chicken feed, accessing garbage and pulling bird feeders down in the Eightmile/Granite Drainages. Bears continue to access uncontained garbage in the Tie Chute, Leo Hansen, Pinesdale and Darby areas. Multiple black bears are accessing garbage in Rye Creek. FWP is expecting an increase in calls as more black bears key into residential fruit. Please take down bird feeders, electrify chicken coops, and contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Bear-resistant garbage cans are available through Bitterroot Disposal. For more information on bears in the Bitterroot Valley check out the Bitterroot Bears site.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout the Bitterroot Valley and FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity in the river bottoms and along the foothills where deer and elk have been using irrigated agricultural sites and residential areas. A homeowner shot and killed two lions in the Ambrose Creek area that were hunting house cats. Mountain lions often investigate homesites with house cat activity. With large numbers of feral house cats now in Montana there have been an increase in the number of house cat predations. Lions are competitive with house cats and are attracted to urine and feces.
Moose: FWP continues to monitor moose activity in and around Hamilton, MT. A bull moose in rut with a cow have been frequenting Hieronymus Park and the area is temporarily closed. When hiking in areas that moose are frequenting be sure to keep your dogs on leash.
BLACKFOOT-CLEARWATER
Grizzly Bear: As usual, there have been continual reports of grizzly bear activity throughout the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages. Grizzly bears are common throughout the area and are observed routinely in the vicinities of Seeley Lake, Lincoln, Ovando, and Helmville. Multiple lone grizzly bears have been photographed on game cameras or have been observed by homeowners, ranchers, bowhunters, bird hunters, and hikers. Multiple grizzly bears have been observed feeding in alfalfa fields. A female grizzly bear with two cubs has been observed feeding on hawthorn and digging for caraway near Helmville. A homeowner near Nevada Lake observed a grizzly bear passing through his yard. A rancher east of Ovando had two grizzly bears pass by his corral while he was pregnancy testing his cows. A grizzly bear was observed feeding on hawthorn near Clearwater Junction and passed through several campgrounds. This bear did investigate a dog food bowl at a campsite but did not receive a food reward. A grizzly bear was photographed passing through the Double Arrow Subdivision in Seeley Lake. A grizzly bear was photographed passing through a neighborhood on the north end of Boy Scout Road. A lone grizzly bear damaged a bear-resistant garbage can on the R2 side of the Swan-Clearwater Divide. Just to the north in the Swan Valley, the R1 bear management team has been monitoring and setting traps for several grizzlies that are accessing garbage and breaking into buildings. A grizzly bear was reported feeding on a cow that had died of natural causes near the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range. If you have a horse or cow carcass that needs to be removed in the Blackfoot Drainage, contact the Blackfoot Challenge. For information, go to the Blackfoot Challenge Carcass Pickup Program site.
Black Bear: Several black bears are accessing garbage and bird seed in Seeley Lake. Multiple black bears have been accessing garbage and bird feeders and several garbage sheds were damaged in Lincoln, MT. Black bears have been accessing uncontained garbage at a restaurant in Lincoln. FWP is monitoring the situation and working with the owner. There have been multiple reports of black bears accessing fruit trees at various ranches. Please take down all bird feeders, pick your fruit, and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area. A lion was observed in a chicken coop in Seeley Lake. FWP encourages residents with chickens to erect electric fencing. Other lions have been observed near homesites in Seeley Lake and Lincoln.
EAST MISSOULA, MILLTOWN, BONNER, CLINTON
Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bears in Missoula’s North Hills.
Black Bear: There is a black bear getting into attractants in East Missoula. There are several bears accessing garbage in the Bonner/Milltown/Piltzville areas. There are multiple black bears in Turah and Clinton accessing uncontained attractants. Black bears have also been accessing uncontained garbage in Milltown and Bonner. A black bear was killed on I-90 near the Rock Creek Exit. Please contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup and remove all bird feeders.
EVARO HILL
Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bear activity in the Evaro Hill area.
Black Bear: FWP has fielded several reports of black bears accessing uncontained garbage and bird feeders. Please contain all attractants and contain all vulnerable livestock behind electric fence.
GARRISON JUNCTION, LITTLE BLACKFOOT DRAINAGE AND DEER LODGE VALLEY
Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bear activity throughout the Little Blackfoot Drainage and Deer Lodge Valleys. A grizzly bear was photographed chasing elk near Garrison Junction. A grizzly bear has been observed on multiple occasions near homesites in the McDonald Pass area. A grizzly bear was euthanized, the same bear that was captured in August north of Butte, after it broke into several chicken coops and approached people near Elliston, MT. For more information on this incident check out this Montana Outdoor article.
Black Bear: Black bears have been observed along the Little Blackfoot River feeding on berries.
GRANT CREEK AND BUTLER CREEK
Grizzly Bear: A collared grizzly bear passed through the north hills of Missoula in early September and spent some time in the head of LaValle and Butler Creek. Grizzly bears are becoming common in the Missoula area. FWP recommends that hikers and bikers carry bear spray and pay attention while hiking and biking on trails, especially in those areas where there is active berry feeding by bears occurring.
Black Bear: There is a black bear walking porches in Grant Creek in search of bird seed. The hawthorn crop is exceptional in this area and multiple black bears are being observed feeding on berries. As the fall progresses homeowners should expect more bear activity. A black bear was killed by a vehicle on I-90 near the Grant Creek Exit. Please keep all garbage contained in a bear-resistant manner and take down all bird feeders.
LOLO
Black Bear: Black bears are being observed in and around Lolo and along the Hwy 12 corridor. The hawthorn crop is exceptional and homeowners should expect to see an upsurge in bear activity this fall. Please contain all attractants. A black bear was observed near several bee yards in Lolo Creek. Several black bears are accessing garbage in Mill Creek. Please contain apiaries, fowl, and small livestock within electric fence. Please take down bird feeders and contain all other attractants.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout Lolo Creek. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area.
MILLER CREEK
Black Bear: Multiple black bears have been observed in Miller Creek feeding on hawthorn. Please contain apiaries, fowl, and small livestock within electric fence. Please take down bird feeders and contain all other attractants.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout Miller Creek. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area.
MISSOULA
Grizzly Bear: Grizzly bear activity is becoming more common in the wilder habitats surrounding the Missoula Valley. Carry bear spray while recreating and know how to use it.
Black Bear: Black bear activity is picking up in the Missoula Five Valleys area. At least four bears have been reported feeding on hawthorn and red osier dogwood berries in Greenough, Bugby, and Tom Green Parks. At least one of these bears is getting into garbage, bird feeders, and fruit at various residents and apartment complexes. An individual accidently cornered a bear near Kiwanis Park at 2am while taking the garbage out and was knocked down. There is a female with two cubs accessing garbage and bird seed in the University District. There are multiple bears feeding on hawthorn along the Kim Williams Trail. There is a black bear getting into garbage on Big Flat. There is a black bear getting into garbage in Orchard Homes. A black bear was road-killed on the Blue Mountain Road near O’Brien Creek. There are several bears getting into garbage and fruit trees in Missoula’s South Hills and the Pattee Canyon area. Multiple black bears have been documented on game cameras on lower Marshall Creek and there have been continual reports of hikers and bikers observing black bears feeding on hawthorn. It is recommended that all hikers, trail runners, and bikers carry bear spray. A black bear is feeding on apples in an orchard up O’Brien Creek. FWP encourages residents with orchards to erect electric fencing. Please keep all garbage contained in a bear-resistant manner, take down all bird feeders, and pick your fruit. Electric fence is an excellent way to protect your fruit trees. For more information on the effectiveness of electric fence check out this Defenders of Wildlife YouTube video.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common in the Missoula Valley. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lions within the urban wildland interface. FWP responded to several reports of lions killing deer in the Rattlesnake Drainage. Mountain lions occasionally attempt to pass through Missoula along Rattlesnake Creek and Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers and occasionally become disoriented and will roost in trees. If you see a mountain lion in residential or business districts let FWP know ASAP. Expect to see mountain lion activity wherever there are concentrations of deer. Note it is illegal to salt or feed big game species in Montana. Report incidents of wildlife Feeding or salting to TIP-MONT.
Note: Earlier this summer, shortly after Phase 1 of the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone ordinance went into effect, several bears exhibiting extreme food-conditioned behavior had to be lethally removed. Since that time, the number of bear conflicts have dramatically decreased and reports of ordinance violations (uncontained garbage) have been minimal. Missoula recently became a “Bear Smart Community” with the goal of reducing food-conditioned behavior in the local bear population. Please contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup. Bear-resistant garbage cans are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. Please remain diligent with all human food attractant sources (bird feeders, fruit trees, etc.) to prevent bears from learning bad habits. As the hawthorn crop production wains many bears will shift onto domestic fruit. FWP encourages homeowners living adjacent to known bear activity areas pick their fruit trees. For more information on gleaning fruit trees check out the Great Bear Foundation website.
NINEMILE
Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of at least two grizzly bears in the Ninemile Drainage area. Hunters and hikers have observed tracks and sign. Be sure to carry spray and contain all attractants.
Black Bear: There have been a handful of reports of bears accessing garbage and pulling down bird feeders. Multiple black bears are feeding along Ninemile and Sixmile Creek for hawthorn. A female with cubs got into a chicken coop in upper Sixmile Creek. Two black bear cubs were killed by a vehicle on the West Ninemile Road. FWP euthanized a young adult male that was struck by a vehicle off the Sixmile Road. Please contain all livestock and fowl with electric fence, contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner, take down bird feeders, and pick your domestic fruit trees.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout the Ninemile Drainage. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area. FWP responded to a mountain lion killing and feeding on feral cats in the lower Ninemile Drainage. The same lion was later shot by a landowner when it attempted to prey on a dog. The lion appeared to be a yearling and was extremely emaciated. Young lions that are just learning to hunt will often prey on smaller dogs and cats.
POTOMAC
Grizzly Bear: There have been multiple observations of at least one grizzly bear in the Potomac Valley, but the bear has not accessed any attractants or been involved in any conflicts at this time. FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bears in the Elk Creek and Ninemile Prairie areas east of the Lubrecht Experimental Forest.
Black Bear: There have been a handful of incidents of bears rolling bear-resistant cans around without access, but there was one incident of a bear accessing a bear-resistant dumpster that was not locked correctly. Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal have been placing bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters in the Potomac Valley because of the Missoula County Potomac Valley bear mitigation area going into effect September 1, 2024. Note, all garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Residents without garbage service will also be required to store garbage in a bear-resistant manner. For more information on the Potomac Valley Bear Mitigation area and county garbage ordinance check out Bear Smart Missoula.
SUPERIOR, ST. REGIS, AND LOWER CLARK FORK DRAINAGE
Black Bear: Hunters and residents are reporting a lot of black bear activity. Most of the bears are feeding on hawthorn but there have been a handful of reports of bears accessing uncontained attractants. A black bear was killed on I-90 by the Fish Creek Exit. A black bear was struck and killed by a train near Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort. Please contain garbage and erect electric fence around chickens and other small livestock.
TURAH AND CLINTON
Grizzly Bear: Grizzly bears are becoming common in the Clinton and Turah area. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Republic Services is providing bear-resistant cans in Missoula County at no additional fee for customers. Grizzly Disposal also has bear-resistant garbage cans available for a small fee.
Black Bear: Multiple black bears are accessing uncontained garbage in the Clinton area. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner and do not put out until the morning of pickup. Take down bird feeders and contain all other attractants.
Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common in this area. Expect to see lions wherever there is deer and elk activity. Feeding and salting for deer is illegal in Montana and will only encourage lion to frequent your property.
