December 19, 2024

The following updates cover October through December 15, 2024.

REGION-WIDE

Grizzly Bear: Grizzly bear activity was reported throughout the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages by hunters and ranchers throughout October and November. Most grizzly bears will be in their dens by the end of December. Note, grizzly bears are slowly expanding into historic ranges across FWP Region 2 (R2). Grizzly bears can now be found in and around the Missoula Valley, the Frenchtown Face between Nine Mile Creek and Evaro Hill, and the Deer Lodge, Little Blackfoot, Flint, Boulder, Prickly Pear, and Big Hole Valleys. In recent times grizzly bear activity has also been recorded in the Bitterroot Valley and lower Clark Fork Drainage.

Black Bear: In October and November there was an upsurge of black bear activity across R2. During the fall, when bears enter hyperphagia to prepare for winter denning, FWP always sees an influx of bear complaints. This year was no different, with multiple incidents of black bears accessing garbage, bird feeders, chicken feed, and other attractants. Conflicts were especially high in the Anaconda and Georgetown Lake areas due to a natural food failure. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Bird feeders are a major draw for bears. Chicken feed and livestock feed should be stored in a stout building or contained within a steel box or barrel with a locking lid. Garage doors should not be left open, and all garbage should be stored inside a building, bear-resistant structure, or inside a bear-resistant garbage can or dumpster. Black bears, for the most part, are now in their dens, and bird feeders can be rehung. FWP recommends that bird feeders be removed from March 31 through December 1. However, if there is known local bear activity in December or March you should take bird feeders back down. Bird seed and nectar are highly addictive to bears. After bears are in the den it never hurts to prepare for next spring. Pre plan and order a bear-resistant garbage can or dumpster for next year. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Grizzly Disposal, Republic Services, Bitterroot Disposal and Granite County Disposal. If you are interested in electric fence contact FWP R2 for more information. Note, FWP is monitoring a handful of sites where bears have denned in proximity to human activity or homesites. Please do not disturb bears in the den and let FWP R2 know about any bears denned near homesites. If you know of a den please do not post the location on social media.

Berry and Fruit Trees: Most of the hawthorn and huckleberry crops were finished by mid-October. Luckily this fall there were excellent late season high-elevation huckleberry crops in most habitats around R2. Bear berry, snowberry, juniper berry, red osier dogwood, and mountain ash are still available. There were good apple and plum crops in residential areas through October and November. As a result, there were multiple reports of bears accessing fruit trees. FWP recommends that the public be vigilant with gleaning fruit, especially at homesites in rural areas and along the wildlands urban interface. Fruit trees in remote areas (secluded private property away from human activity) can be beneficial to bears, but any fruit trees directly and adjacent to homesites or businesses should be picked. Several communities in R2 and elsewhere have organized annual fruit gleaning efforts. For more information on the benefits of organizing your community fruit-picking efforts check out the Great Bear Foundation website and click on these links:

Mountain Lion: As usual, FWP is receiving reports of mountain lion activity throughout the region in residential and agricultural areas. Mountain lions are most common wherever there are wintering elk or deer. Remember, feeding and salting for deer is illegal in Montana. By luring big game to your property, you will also draw in predators. Report illegal incidents of wildlife feeding or salting to TIP-MONT. As winter progresses and snow levels increase in the surrounding mountains more lions will be living in the lower elevations where big game winter. Again, remember wherever you see deer or elk activity expect mountain lions to be in the vicinity.

Missoula Bear Buffer Zone: This fall there was a noticeable decrease in bear activity in the Grant Creek and Rattlesnake Drainage residential areas. FWP attributes this to the new garbage ordinance rules. But there were a handful of incidents of black bears in the Missoula area accessing bear-resistant garbage cans. Most of the bear-resistant cans, dumpsters, and structures that were accessed by bears were due to human error and improper latching. But there were incidents of homeowners and garbage company employees disabling receptacles. Note, this type of vandalism can lead to ticketing. If you expect any tampering to bear-resistant garbage receptacles, please contact FWP R2 or Missoula Animal Control. There are still a handful of residents without garbage service that are attracting bears. And there are several apartment complexes, trailer courts, and businesses that have not contained their communal garbage sites sufficiently.

This spring, within Missoula’s UM District and South Hills, Phase 2 of the new garbage ordinance will be going into effect. Starting on April 30, 2025, all garbage within Phase 2 of the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone will need to be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Be aware that with the new garbage ordinance going into effect, Missoula residents will see an influx of individual bears breaking and entering sheds and garages because of bears escalating their attempts to access garbage. Individual bears exhibiting extreme behaviors will be trapped, relocated, or destroyed depending on the circumstances. Please let FWP know immediately if bears break into any sheds, building, or homes. After years of accessing uncontained garbage, certain resident bears may show extreme behaviors associated with food-conditioning and will have to be managed. Over time, this type of behavior should disappear in the bear population, unless there is a time period when bears are suffering from an extreme natural food-failure year. The key is to be vigilant and follow bear smart community guidelines. For information on the Bear Buffer Zone and the Missoula Garbage Ordinance go to the Missoula Bears Community Resources page.

Potomac Bear Buffer Zone: The Missoula County Potomac Valley bear mitigation area ordinance rules went into effect September 1, 2024. In this area all garbage must now be stored in a bear-resistant manner. As a result, there was a noticeable reduction of bear conflicts this fall. But some residents in the Potomac Valley saw 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, especially during hunting season, carry bear spray. Winter is a good time for preparing for next spring when bears emerge from the den. 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 andcheck out this video on electric fence: Defenders of Wildlife YouTube video.

ALBERTON AND PETTY CREEK

Black Bear: In October there were a handful of issues with black bears. A black bear was accessing uncontained garbage in the Rosco Lane area. Several black bears were accessing uncontained garbage in the Plateau Road and Reardon Lane area. A black bear was captured in a coyote trap in Petty Creek. FWP assisted with the release. No bear activity has been reported since mid-November. Winter is a good time to prepare for bear activity in the spring. If you are interested in erecting electric fence around your apple trees, chicken coop, or livestock pens contact the bear management team at FWP R2. Joining Bear Smart Alberton is a great way to get more involved for making the Alberton area a safer place for both people and bears. If you are interested in getting involved with Alberton’s Bear Smart effort, check out the Bear Smart Alberton Facebook Page.

ANACONDA, GEORGETOWN, PHILIPSBURG, AND BUTTE

Grizzly Bear: FWP fielded a few reports of grizzly bear activity in the Georgetown Lake, Rock Creek, and upper Clark Fork Basin areas.

Black Bear: Conflicts continued through October and November in the Anaconda/Georgetown Lake areas.  Due to a localized natural food failure and abundant garbage, bird feeders, fruit trees, and other residential attractants bear managers, wardens, and the police department received complaints daily. Residents living adjacent to Warm Springs Creek and the timbered hillsides experienced the most bear activity. In early November, after the Stokes Market’s garbage compacter was repaired, the number of conflicts reduced dramatically. FWP and NGO groups are working closely with the City’s urban wildlife task force, Anaconda Disposal, Washoe Park, and the Anaconda Job Corp on solutions for reducing the amount of unsecured garbage. Similar efforts are occurring in Georgetown Lake and Phillipsburg. Most of the bears are now in the den. Winter is a great time to plan for bear emergence in the spring. For more information on erecting electric fence and containing garbage contact FWP R2. 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: During October and November, FWP received a handful of reports from the public of grizzly bear observations in the Sapphire Range and one report of a grizzly in the Bear Creek Drainage; however, none of these observations have been verified. FWP  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: Most black bears have now denned. Throughout October and November FWP received calls daily on black bears accessing uncontained garbage and fruit trees throughout the Bitterroot Valley. There were multiple incidents of black bears accessing bird feeders and chicken coops. A black bear broke into a chicken coop and accessed uncontained garbage in the Bell Crossing area. Black bears got into several chicken coops, bird seed, and uncontained garbage in the Eightmile/Granite Drainages. Bears continued to access uncontained garbage in the Tie Chute, Leo Hansen, Pinesdale and Darby areas. A black bear was shot by a homeowner in Tie Chute Creek after a bear attempted to enter a house. Several black bears were accessing chicken coops and uncontained garbage and damaging abandoned vehicles in the Woodchuck Drainage. A black bear climbed a roof in the Sweeney Creek area to access the upper branches of fruit trees. FWP worked with multiple landowners and encouraged the harvest of fruit, the containment of garbage, the removal of bird feeders, and the application of electric fence around orchards and small livestock pens. Again, winter is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears in the spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Bitterroot Disposal and if you are seeking information on electric fence incentive programs, contact FWP R2. For more information on bears and opportunities for organizing bear awareness neighborhood efforts in the Bitterroot Valley check out the Bitterroot Bears site.

Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common throughout the Bitterroot Valley and FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity in the river bottoms and along the foothills wherever there are deer and elk. As winter progresses homeowners should expect to see more mountain lion activity. Remember, salting and feeding wildlife will lure in mountain lions. It is illegal to salt for or feed wildlife in Montana. Also, electric fence works well to secure small livestock from mountain lions.

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. Bear managers in R1 in the Condon area were involved with multiple conflicts involving several grizzly bears accessing residential attractants. A grizzly bear tipped over several bear-resistant dumpsters in the USFS Lake Alva Campground. The bear accessed one of these dumpsters and received a food reward. Note, it is important to make sure that bear-resistant dumpsters and cans are locked correctly after inserting garbage.

In early November a hunter shot and killed an adult male grizzly in the Placid Lake area. The self-defense incident is still being investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). For more information on this incident check out this story: Hunter killed grizzly bear near Placid Lake, south of Seeley. A female grizzly bear with two cubs broke into a chicken coop and damaged a dog kennel and storage shed,\ in the Woodworth Area. FWP R2, Blackfoot Challenge and Wildlife Services worked with several homeowners in the area on electric fence.  An ATV operator encountered a grizzly bear with cubs south of Helmville. Several ranches in the upper Blackfoot Valley came up short on calves and pairs during fall roundup. The Blackfoot Challenge is actively working with the ranching community with range rider programs and livestock carcass pick-up and removal to reduce livestock conflicts. For information, go to the Blackfoot Challenge Carcass Pickup Program site. Grizzly bears pulled a hunter’s deer off a game pole and a deer was taken from a hunter in the Monture Creek area. Remember, deer and elk quarters need to be hung a least 10 feet off the ground (from the bottom of the carcass) and at least 4 feet from the tree trunk to be considered secure. Remove harvested animals from the field as soon as possible. The longer harvested big game species remains in the field or is stored in hunting camp the more likely it will be discovered by a bear. Since the beginning of December FWP has fielded a handful of reports of grizzly bear activity. Most grizzly bears will be in their dens by the end of the month.

Black Bear: There were a handful of reports of black bears accessing residential attractants in October and November. A black bear entered an open garage and accessed a refrigerator near Coopers Lake. A black bear was reported feeding on apples in Ovando and there were several incidents of black bears accessing garbage and bird seed in Seeley Lake and Lincoln.

Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common throughout the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages. FWP has fielded multiple reports of mountain lion activity throughout the area. Remember salting for and feeding big game in Montana is illegal. FWP encourages residents with chickens to erect electric fencing. A few lions have been observed near homesites in Seeley Lake and Lincoln. Homeowners should expect to see more mountain lion activity in the winter months wherever there are wintering elk and deer.

DRUMOND AREA

Grizzly Bear: FWP fielded reports of grizzly bear activity throughout the Garnet Range. Grizzly bears are now common north of I-90, and grizzly bears are slowly recolonizing the John Long and Flint Creek Mountain Ranges.

Black Bear: There were a handful of reports of black bears accessing residential fruit trees in and around Drummond. FWP set a trap for a black bear in Bear Creek that was accessing garbage, apple trees, and damaged a vehicle. The bear did not return and the trap was pulled.

EAST MISSOULA, MILLTOWN, BONNER

Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of grizzly bears in Missoula’s North Hills. FWP verified grizzly bear tracks in November reported by a hunter in Gold Creek and there was an unverified of a report of a grizzly on Bonner Mountain.

Black Bear: As of December 10th, there is still some black bear activity occurring in the Bonner area, In October and November there were multiple incidents of black bear getting into attractants between East Missoula and Bonner. Note, there were no conflicts in the Easy Street area in Hellgate Canyon this fall. FWP attributes this to the ongoing bear aware efforts being carried out by the Easy Street Neighborhood Association. This fall black bears were accessing garbage and fruit throughout East Missoula. Most of the activity revolved around uncontained garbage at several trailer courts and an assisted living facility. A black bear broke into a vehicle near Brick Yard Hill. Black bears accessed uncontained garbage in Marshall Creek and Mittower Gulch. Black bears accessed uncontained garbage along the base of Woody Mountain in Milltown and along the base of Bonner Mountain. This area is within the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone and is scheduled for bear-resistant can placement starting in April 2026. But residents are encouraged to reach out to their local garbage companies for bear-resistant garbage cans prior to that date For information on the Bear Buffer Zone and the Missoula Garbage Ordinance go to the Bear Smart Missoula website.

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.

Black Bear: Black bears were observed throughout the area in October and November, but there were no reported conflicts. A radio-collared black bear captured for research in the Lincoln area traveled on its own to the Avon area and was struck be a vehicle on Hwy 141 near Avon.

GRANT CREEK AND BUTLER CREEK

Grizzly Bear: A collared grizzly bear passed through the north hills of Missoula in early September. The same bear has now denned on the edge of the Rattlesnake Wilderness on the Flathead Indian Reservation. 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.

Black Bear: There were no black bear conflicts reported in October and November. FWP fielded multiple reports of black bears feeding on natural foods and a black bear was struck by a vehicle in Grant Creek on November 7th. FWP was not able to locate the bear, but it is presumed to have been mortally wounded. FWP attributes the decline of bear conflicts in this area to the placement of bear-resistant garbage cans during Phase 1 of the new Missoula Valley garbage ordinance and the efforts of the Friends of Grant Creek’s bear awareness efforts.

LOLO

Black Bear: Through October and November there were a handful of black bear conflicts in the Lolo area. A female with two cubs and several lone bears were accessing uncontained garbage and fruit along Lolo Creek. A black bear was accessing garbage at a local gas station and convenience store. The community of Lolo has chronic residential attractant issues that continually lure in bears. Bear-resistant cans are available at Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. For information on assistance programs for electric fence contact FWP R2. For more information on how to how to develop a bear smart community in Lolo, check out IGBC Bear Smart Communities.

Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout Lolo Creek. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area.

MILLER CREEK

Black Bear: In October multiple black bears were observed in Miller Creek feeding on domestic fruit trees. Some of these bears were MPG Ranch radio collared bears. For more information on the MPG Ranch’s ongoing wildlife and avian research and camera censusing check out the MPG Ranch Research Center.

Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common throughout Miller Creek. FWP has fielded multiple reports of mountain lion activity throughout the area and is monitoring several juvenile lions that have recently split from their mother.

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 was steady through October and November. Most of the conflict calls involved bears accessing unpicked fruit, bird feeders, and uncontained garbage. Conflicts were much lower compared to years past. FWP attributes this to the new garbage ordinance and Missoula’s Bear Smart efforts. Approximately ten lone black bears and one family group were active in the Rattlesnake Drainage. Bears were tipping over bear-resistant garbage cans and on occasion were able to open improperly latched lids or cans that had the locking mechanisms removed or disabled. Please latch bear resistant cans and dumpsters after adding garbage and be aware that tickets can be issued for bear-resistant receptacles that have been purposely tampered with. There were several incidents of black bears feeding on road-killed deer in yards. FWP R2 can assist homeowners with the collection of road-killed deer within the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone. There were multiple incidents of a black bear entering open garages in the Rattlesnake Drainage.  In early November a bear was accidently locked inside a garage. If you store your garbage and pet food in your garage, be sure to keep your doors closed. The homeowner was able to open the door and the bear moved on after causing damage. There were a handful of encounters involving hikers and bikers in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and Greenough, Bugby, and Tom Green Parks. Throughout October a bear accessed uncontained garbage in Kiwanis Park and businesses near the confluence of Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork River. There were multiple reports of bears on the UM campus. On November 1st a black bear was trapped and relocated after it spent the day roosting in a tree on the UM Oval. The University of Montana bear smart working group is in the process of preparing a bear management plan for reducing bear attractants. Black bears were actively seeking uncontained garbage and fruit in and around Pattee Canyon, Haze Creek, Big Flat and O’Brien Creek.

Mountain Lion: Mountain 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 valley. Mountain lions occasionally attempt to pass through Missoula along Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork and Bitterroot River bottoms 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.

NINEMILE

Grizzly Bear: FWP continues to field reports of at least two grizzly bears in the Ninemile/Frenchtown Face area. Hunters and hikers have observed tracks and sign. Be sure to carry spray and contain all attractants.

Black Bear: There were a handful of reports of bears accessing garbage, on porches for BBQ, and damaging chicken coops. Most of the bear activity was up Sixmile Creek in and around Conifer Lane. Homeowners were encouraged to 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. For more information on electric fence incentive programs contact FWP R2. If you are interested in getting more involved with bear awareness in the Ninemile Valley go to the Ninemile Wildlife Working group’s website.

Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common throughout the Ninemile Drainage. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area.

POTOMAC

Grizzly Bear: There have been multiple observations of grizzly bears in the Potomac Valley, Lubrecht area, and Ninemile Prairie. Hunters reported grizzly bear tracks in upper Union Creek and Game Creek along the Garnet Range Divide. A grizzly bear visited several Potomac homesites in Bear Creek and Camas Creek and got into chicken coops and dog food.

Black Bear: After the placement of bear-resistant cans throughout the Potomac Valley bear mitigation zone in September there was a noticeable decrease in garbage-related conflicts. Black bears broke into chicken coops in Upper Ashby Creek, Washoe Lane, and Forest Park. A dead black bear was discovered by a hunter in upper Camas Creek. It appeared that the bear had been killed by a larger bear. A bear damaged several vehicles off Swanson Lane. 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. Note, as of September 1, 2024, all garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Residents without garbage service are also 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: In October and November hunters and residents were reporting black bear activity. Wardens pre-emptively captured and relocated a black bear that was accessing garbage at an elderly individual’s house. FWP responded to a severe uncontained garbage situation in Haugan. A black bear was accessing uncontained garbage, BBQ, bird seed, chicken feed, and pet food on porches in St Regis. Please contain garbage and erect electric fence around chickens and other small livestock. Communities in Mineral County have lots of residential attractants that continually lure in bears. Bear-resistant cans are available at Republic Services. For information on assistance programs for electric fence contact FWP R2. And if you are interested in tackling bear attractant issues in the communities of Superior, St Regis, Haugan, Saltese, or De Borgia contact FWP R2 and check out the IGBC Bear Smart Communities website.

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: During October and November multiple black bears accessed uncontained garbage in the Clinton area. Multiple black bears accessed garbage, bird feeders, and other residential attractants along the base of the Garnet Range and Clark Fork River between Piltzville and Clinton. Four black bears were road-killed on I-90 between Rock Creek and the Bonner Exit. One of the bears killed was survived by an orphaned cub. that was captured by FWP on November 26th and taken to the Helena Bear Shelter. The cub will be fed and monitored through the winter and released next spring if it survives. Please contain garbage and erect electric fence around chickens and other small livestock. The residential area around Clinton and Turah have a lot of residential attractants that continually lure in bears. Bear-resistant cans are available at Republic Services. For information on assistance programs for electric fence, contact FWP R2. And if you are interested in tackling bear attractant issues there are opportunities for expanding the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone. For more information on how to become a bear smart community contact FWP R2 and check out the IGBC Bear Smart Communities website.

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.

 

 

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