FWP reminds all to be bear aware when recreating outdoors
Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 years, 8 months AGO
A grizzly bear feeds on huckleberries in Glacier National Park.
Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring and people headed outdoors should “Be Bear Aware.”
Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and bears are sometimes found in historic ranges beyond western Montana.
As bears begin foraging for food, people can avoid conflict by removing or securing food attractants such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food. The most common human-bear conflicts involve unsecured food attractants.
People venturing into the outdoors can “Be Bear Aware” by following these precautionary steps.
Carry and know how to use bear spray and travel in groups whenever possible. It’s a good idea to plan to be out in the daylight hours, sticking to trails or rural roads.
Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks and partly consumed animal carcasses. Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
Keep children and pets close and make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility is impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present.
Don't approach a bear.
Guidelines for camping in bear country include avoiding areas where you see signs of grizzly bears and keeping a clean camp at all times. Keep tents and sleeping bags free of food.
Contact the applicable land management agency to learn what food storage rules apply where you’re recreating and follow all of the regulations. Hang all food, trash and other odorous items well away from camp and at least 10 feet above ground and four feet from any vertical support, or store in a bear-proof container. Livestock feed should be treated the same as human food.
Anglers also need to practice safe behavior in bear country.
When cleaning fish, failing to properly dispose of entrails increases danger to yourself and to the next person to use the area. Sink entrails in deep water; don't leave fish entrails on shorelines of lakes and streams.
Carry bear spray when fishing along rivers or streams with dense streamside cover.