April 1, 2025
This update covers later winter and early spring for Region 2.
Contact information, FWP Bear Team: [email protected], 406-542-5500
REGION-WIDE
Grizzly Bear: The last reported grizzly activity in 2024 was just before Christmas. Through March a handful of grizzlies emerged from their dens and grizzly bear activity has been reported along the Rocky Mountain Front and in the Blackfoot Valley.
Males are usually the first to emerge from their dens starting in late February with more showing up through the month of March. Usually by the end of April most grizzly bears have emerged from their dens. Outdoor recreationists should carry bear spray and be aware that grizzly bears come down to the lower elevations in search of big game carcasses, forbs and grasses. Grizzly bears are slowly expanding into historic ranges across FWP Region 2 (R2)And can now be found in and around the Missoula Valley, the Frenchtown area 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: There were a handful of reports of black bears this winter, and there were multiple incidents of black bears denning near home sites and recreation areas. FWP is monitoring a handful of sites where bears are still 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. Most black bears in R2 were denned-up by late December and there have been a handful of reports of black bears out of the den since mid-March. Most bears will have emerged by the end of April. During the spring, when black bears first come out, they seek green vegetation in the lower elevations. Now is the time to take down bird feeders and be diligent with managing residential attractants.
Through April and May FWP always sees an influx of bear complaints. This year will be no different and residents are encouraged to secure all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. Pet food, 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 enclosure, rack, garbage can or dumpster. Bird feeders are a major draw. Bird seed, suet, and nectar are highly addictive to bears. FWP recommends that bird feeders be removed from April 1 through December 1.
If you have not done so, now is the time to consider ordering up a bear-resistant garbage can or dumpster. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Grizzly Disposal, Republic Services, and Bitterroot Disposal. If bear-resistant options are not available encourage your local disposal companies to offer options for bear-resistant roll outs and dumpsters. If you are interested in building a bear-resistant enclosure or garbage rack, contact FWP. Small livestock and chicken coops can be protected with electric fence. 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 information at Missoula Bears Attractant Management. Check out these two sites on electric fence: Defenders of Wildlife YouTube video; People and Carnivores Electric Fence Manual.
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 elk or deer. As spring progresses and more big game seek out green vegetation in the lower elevations, mountain lions will follow. Remember, feeding and salting for wildlife 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. Again, remember, wherever you see deer or elk activity, expect mountain lions to be in the vicinity.
Missoula Bear Buffer Zone: 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 may 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, a building, or homes. After years of accessing uncontained garbage, certain  bears may show extreme behaviors associated with food-conditioning and will have to be managed. Over time, this type of behavior should be minimized in the bear population, unless there is a time 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 Bear Smart Missoula Page or the City of Missoula’s Urban Wildlife page.
Attention: most bear-resistant cans, dumpsters, and structures that are accessed by bears is due to human error and improper latching. But occasionally bear-resistant receptacles are purposely disabled. 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.
Potomac Bear Buffer Zone: The Missoula County Potomac Valley Bear Mitigation Area ordinance rules went into effect last September 1, 2024. In this area all garbage must now be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
ALBERTON AND PETTY CREEK
Black Bear: There has been no current activity and now is a good time to prepare for bear activity. 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 Alberton Bear Smart Facebook Page.
ANACONDA, GEORGETOWN, PHILIPSBURG, AND BUTTE
Black Bear: Several black bears have emerged from their dens in the Anaconda area. In early March a black bear was destroyed at a residence with bird feeders. The bear was emaciated and in poor shape. Due to a localized natural food failure last fall there were more conflicts than normal. Residents should expect the same bears seeking residential attractants last year to appear again. There are abundant uncontained residential attractants in the Anaconda and Georgetown Lake areas. Please contain all attractants to prevent conflicts. 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 Philipsburg. For more information on how to get involved with local bear awareness efforts, 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.
DRUMMOND AREA
Black Bear: Currently, there has been no activity. Now is a good time to prepare for bear activity.
BITTERROOT
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. In past years, the Bitterroot Valley has had chronic residential attractant issues that continually lure in bears. Please contain all attractants. 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: 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. Earlier this month mountain lions were reported near homesites in Victor and Hamilton. A lion interacting with a dog was shot at a ranch in the Connor area. Note, there were several reports of bobcats getting into chicken coops and small livestock. As spring green-up progresses and more elk and deer travel to the valley floor, homeowners should expect to see more lion activity. It is illegal to salt for or feed wildlife in Montana and salting and feeding wildlife will lure in lions. Also, electric fences work well to secure small livestock from mountain lions.
BLACKFOOT-CLEARWATER
Grizzly Bear: Grizzly bear tracks have been reported in the Blackfoot Valley and a calf was killed south of Helmville. Wildlife Services and FWP are monitoring the situation. Grizzly bears are common throughout the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages and are observed routinely in the vicinities of Seeley Lake, Lincoln, Ovando, and Potomac. 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.
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal and the Blackfoot Challenge. If you’re seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts in Seeley Lake, Lincoln or Potomac, contact FWP.
Mountain Lion: 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 and a starving mountain lion was found dead on a porch in the Clearwater Junction area.
EAST MISSOULA, MILLTOWN, BONNER
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. If you are seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. Note, this area is within the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone and is scheduled for bear-resistant can placement starting in April 2026,bresidents 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, visit Bear Smart Missoula.
EVARO HILL
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. If you are seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. Please contain all attractants and contain all vulnerable livestock behind electric fence.
GARRISON JUNCTION, LITTLE BLACKFOOT DRAINAGE AND DEER LODGE VALLEY
Grizzly Bear: There has been no activity currently. Over the last few years FWP has routinely fielded reports of grizzly bear activity throughout the Little Blackfoot Drainage and Deer Lodge Valleys.
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Encourage your local sanitation companies to provide options for bear-resistant garbage receptacles. If you’re seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. Please contain all attractants and contain all vulnerable livestock behind electric fence.
GRANT CREEK AND BUTLER CREEK
Grizzly Bear: There has been no reported activity, but grizzly bears are becoming common in Missoula’s North Hills. FWP recommends that hikers and bikers carry bear spray and pay attention while hiking and biking on trails.
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. Black bear conflicts were minimal last year. 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. If you’re seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. All residents and businesses in this area are required to have all garbage contained. For information on the Bear Buffer Zone and the Missoula Garbage Ordinance, visit Bear Smart Missoula.
LOLO
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. If you’re seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. In past years the community of Lolo has had chronic residential bear attractant issues that continually lure in bears. Please contain all attractants.
Mountain Lion: No recent activity has been reported but lions are common throughout Lolo Creek.
MILLER CREEK
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. Bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters are available through Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. If you’re seeking information on electric fence incentive programs or information on bears and opportunities for getting involved with bear awareness neighborhood efforts contact FWP. 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, visit Bear Smart Missoula.
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: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for arrival of black bears this spring. The entire Missoula area is within the Missoula Bear Buffer Zone. Phase 1 went into effect last year and this spring, within Missoula’s UM District and South Hills, Phase 2 of the new garbage ordinance will be going into effect on April 30, 2025, and the remaining portions of the valley in 2026.
All garbage within 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, buildings, or homes.
After years of accessing uncontained garbage, certain bears may show extreme behaviors associated with food-conditioning and will have to be managed. Over time, this type of behavior should be minimized in the bear population, unless there is a time 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. And if you are interested in becoming more involved with bear issues at the University of Montana or in the Missoula area check out the Missoula Bear Smart web site.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common in the Missoula Valley. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lions within the urban wildland interface. FWP responded 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 rest 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, a bobcat was observed in Lower Miller Creek on a dead deer. The carcass was removed by FWP, and the bobcat has since moved on.
NINEMILE
Grizzly Bear: There has been no reported grizzly bear activity, but last year FWP fielded reports of at least two grizzly bears in the Ninemile/Frenchtown Face area. Be sure to carry spray and contain all attractants. Contain all chickens and small livestock within electric fence.
Black Bear: There has been no activity currently. Now is a good time to prepare for the arrival of black bears this spring. Again, homeowners are encouraged to keep all garbage unavailable and to protect small livestock and fowl with electric fence, contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner, and take down bird feeders. 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 visit the Ninemile Wildlife Workgroup.
Mountain Lion: Lions are common throughout the Ninemile Drainage. FWP has fielded multiple reports of lion activity throughout the area.
POTOMAC
Grizzly Bear: There has been no reported activity, but grizzly bears have become common place in the Potomac area.
Black Bear: There has been no reported black bear activity this spring. 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. 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: There has been no reported black bear activity. Please contain garbage and erect electric fence around chickens and other small livestock. Communities in Mineral County have numerous 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 IGBC Bear Smart Communities.
Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common in this area. Expect to see lions wherever there is deer and elk activity. A lion was reported to have killed a lamb in Quartz. FWP is monitoring the situation. Electric fence is recommended for containing chickens and small livestock. For more information on the effectiveness of electric fence check out this FWP guide.
TURAH AND CLINTON
Grizzly Bear: There have been no reports this spring, but 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: A lone black bear was accessing garbage in Clinton in late February and through March. The residential areas around Clinton and Turah have a lot of residential attractants that continually lure in bears. Bear-resistant cans are available at Republic Services and Grizzly Disposal. For information on assistance programs for electric fences, 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 IGBC Bear Smart Communities.
Mountain Lion: Mountain lions are common in this area. Expect to see lions wherever there is deer and elk activity. A lion was reported on a back patio in Clinton the end of February. Note, feeding and salting for deer is illegal in Montana and will only encourage lions to frequent your property.
