Bears are emerging from dens across Northwest Montana and residents are reminded to remove food attractants from their properties to avoid conflicts.

Montana is home to grizzly bears and black bears that roam the mountains and valley floors from spring through late fall before denning in wintertime. Starting in mid-March, bears begin emerging and move to lower-elevation areas seeking food.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks encourages residents to “Be Bear Aware” and remove attractants every spring by April 1.

“With this year’s above-average snowpack, bears are coming out of their dens and digging out from several feet of snow. There’s no place for them to go but down toward the valley floor to feed,” said Tim Manley, FWP Region 1 Grizzly Bear Management Specialist.

Residents are asked to remove or secure food attractants such as garbage and bird feeders and bird seed. Chicken and livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door.

In Montana, it is illegal to intentionally feed deer and other ungulates, mountain lions and bears. This includes putting out grain, deer blocks, mineral blocks, sunflower seeds, meat scraps and other food. Feeding animals leads to food conditioning, which increases the chances of a conflict and the removal of that animal.

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. Hunters are required to pass a “black bear identification test” before purchasing a black bear hunting license.

Visit www.fwp.mt.gov for tips and tools on using bear spray, safe recreating and access to bear-resistant products. Contact FWP at 752-5501 to report any conflicts.