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Your source for Bear and Mountain Lion sightings and updates for Missoula and surrounding areas in Montana FWP Region 2.
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Missoula Bears
We keep you updated about bear, mountain lion, and other wildlife activity throughout FWP Region 2.
1 day ago
UPDATES: May 31, 2023![]()
REGION-WIDE![]()
Black Bear: Activity is increasing throughout Region 2. Black bears are finding uncontained garbage, bird feeders, and other attractants. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner and remove all bird feeders. Do not leave your garage doors open and unattended and keep garbage contained until the morning of pickup.![]()
For information on the Bear Buffer Zone and the Missoula Garbage Ordinance see our Community Resources page.![]()
Mountain Lion: FWP is continuing to receive reports of mountain lion activity throughout the region. It is normal for increased sightings at this time of the year as the mountain lion follow deer and elk as they move down for the spring green-up.![]()
BITTERROOT![]()
Black Bear: Activity is increasing in the Bitterroot Valley with increased calls of black bears getting into garbage and of bears on porches. Contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner.![]()
BLACKFOOT-CLEARWATER![]()
Black Bear: Black bears are getting into garbage in the Potomac Valley and accessing bird feeders in Clearwater Junction. Please take down all bird feeders and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner. There was also a report of a black bear struck by a vehicle in the Twin Creek area of the Blackfoot.![]()
Grizzly Bear: There have been reports of grizzly bears in the area.![]()
BIG FLAT![]()
Black Bear: Black bears are getting into garbage in the area. Contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup.![]()
EAST MISSOULA, MILLTOWN, BONNER![]()
Black Bear: There are at least two black bears getting into garbage in the area. Contain all garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup and remove all bird feeders.![]()
EVARO![]()
Black Bear: There was a vehicle-bear mortality on Evaro Hill.![]()
FRENCHTOWN![]()
Black Bear: There have been reports of bears in garbage, and one incident of a bear entering a house in Frenchtown. FWP is monitoring the situation.![]()
GRANT CREEK![]()
Black Bear: There is a female with cubs feeding along the creek in the Lower Grant Creek area. Please keep all garbage contained in a bear-resistant manner and take down all bird feeders.![]()
NINEMILE![]()
Black Bear: There are reports of black bears getting into garbage in the area. Please contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner and take down bird feeders.![]()
OVANDO![]()
Grizzly Bear: There was a confirmed calf depredation by a grizzly bear.![]()
PATTEE CANYON![]()
Black Bear: Black bears are accessing garbage and bird feeders in the Pattee Canyon area. There have also been sightings of bears on porches. Please take down bird feeders and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner until the morning of pickup.![]()
RATTLESNAKE![]()
Black Bear: There are individual black bears throughout the Rattlesnake that are getting into garbage. Please contain all attractants in a bear-resistant manner. FWP is working with residences and businesses in the Lower Rattlesnake area in an effort to contain garbage.![]()
A sub-adult black bear was trapped and euthanized in the Lower Rattlesnake after exhibiting extreme behavior. This bear entered multiple homes and was getting into a lot of uncontained garbage.![]()
A very emaciated sub-adult black bear was euthanized. This bear was in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and FWP is investigating the cause of illness.![]()
ST. REGIS![]()
Black Bear: A black bear is finding a lot of uncontained garbage and bird feeders in the area. FWP is asking that people in the area please take down bird feeders and contain garbage in a bear-resistant manner.![]()
TURAH AND CLINTON![]()
Black Bear: There are several bears getting into garbage in the 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.![]()
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA![]()
Black Bear: Over the Memorial Day weekend, a sub-adult black bear showed up all over the UM campus testing dorm windows, approaching people, and getting into a lot of uncontained garbage. FWP euthanized this bear. FWP is working with residences, businesses, and the University in an effort to contain garbage in the area.
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2 weeks ago
A good reminder from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks! Please contain all attractants. Know how to use and carry bear spray. While your at it, check out our newly redesigned website www.missoulabears.org
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fwp.mt.gov
Bear activity is picking up in Missoula neighborhoods and securing garbage is critical to preventing conflicts2 weeks ago
Heads up folks - please secure attractants!
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Missoula Fire Dept. warns of bears wandering into neighborhoods
nbcmontana.com
The Missoula Fire Department released the following information:4 weeks ago
UPDATE: May 3, 2023![]()
BLACK BEAR![]()
Missoula: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) is working with the city of Missoula on outreach and education for homeless camps that have attracted black bear activity this spring. There have been two incidents of bears getting into tents for food.![]()
Rattlesnake: There is a black bear getting into garbage and other attractants in the lower Rattlesnake and the nearby business district. FWP is actively trapping for this bear. In the Upper Rattlesnake, several bears are active and have gotten into unsecured garbage. Animal control is issuing tickets for people leaving garbage out and available to bears within the bear buffer zone.![]()
Milltown/Bonner: There have been multiple reports of black bears in and around the area. Please contain all attractants.![]()
Alberton/Petty Creek: There have been multiple reports of black bear activity. A black bear was killed by a landowner when it got into a chicken coop. FWP is working with the landowner to get the coop electrified.![]()
Frenchtown: There have been multiple reports of black bears in and around the area. Please contain all attractants.![]()
Ninemile: There have been multiple reports of black bears in and around the area. Please contain all attractants.![]()
Evaro: There have been multiple reports of black bears in and around the area. Please contain all attractants.![]()
Donovon Creek: There have been reports of black bears getting into bird feeders. Please bring bird feeders in and contain all attractants.![]()
GRIZZLY BEAR![]()
Region-wide: As it greens up, most grizzly bears should be out of their dens. There have been multiple reports of grizzly bear activity in Blackfoot and Clearwater.![]()
Upper Blackfoot: There were three depredations in three separate areas. Wildlife Services is monitoring the situation.![]()
Lincoln: A family group of grizzly bears got into uncontained garbage. FWP is monitoring.![]()
Prickly Pear/Canyon Creek: Grizzly Bear tracks were verified in the area.![]()
Garrison Junction area: A grizzly bear was verified in the area.![]()
MOUNTAIN LION![]()
Region-wide: There continue to be reports of mountain lion activity across Region 2. This is not unusual as mountain lions follow their prey as the deer and elk move down for the spring green up.
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4 weeks ago
A good reminder!#DYK bear spray expires. Now is an excellent time to check the expiration date! ![]()
If your bear spray is expired, replace the can and safely dispose of the old one. Contact your local waste management service to find local disposal sites. You can also empty the can away from people, homes, livestock, pets, and recreation areas. Wrap the empty can in a plastic bag and throw it away. To learn more about bear safety, please visit bit.ly/be-bear-aware
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