Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will host a bear aware event at FWP’s Missoula office (3201 Spurgin Road) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Missoula event is free, open to anyone, and no pre-registration is required.
September is “Bear Aware Month” in Montana, and there will be a variety of events and special activities statewide. Visit FWP’s Event Calendar to learn more at montanafwpevents.com.
The Sept. 1 class offers a comprehensive overview of bear safety information for around home and when out recreating. Participants will have the chance to practice using inert bear spray with a robotic bear. FWP staff will be available to discuss bear safety practices, bear biology, how to handle bear encounters, and how to avoid attracting bears to your property.
Also, at this event and during the month of September, drop off empty or expired bear spray canisters at the FWP Missoula office (and at most other FWP offices around the state) and enter to win a bear spray storage container.
Bears can be found throughout Montana. Be “bear aware” by following these steps:
- Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it.
- Travel in groups whenever possible.
- Make noise periodically to avoid surprising a bear, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.
- Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
- Watch for signs of bears such as scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
- Around home, avoid attracting bears to your property by storing garbage and other attractants in a bear resistant container or indoors; secure vulnerable livestock with an electric fence; and avoid feeding birds during active bear season.
For more information on bear safety, visit FWP’s page on bears in Montana at fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.
Two days later, the agency will host an event in Ulm to offer training and hands-on practice with inert bear spray and share tips for avoiding conflicts and being safe in bear country.
The free workshop will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, beginning at 6 p.m.at the Ulm Fire Hall, at 29 Old US Hwy 91.
FWP bear management staff will discuss bear biology, safety practices for bear country, how farmers, ranchers and homeowners can prevent conflicts, and how to handle bear encounters. They will also provide training on how to carry and use bear spray. Participants will have the unique opportunity to practice using inert bear spray. Please leave any personal bear spray at home.
This free event is family friendly, and everyone is welcome.
Montana is bear country. Avoiding conflicts with bears is far better than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions recreationists can take to avoid bear encounters:
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and be prepared to use it immediately.
- Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
- Make noise, especially near streams or in thick vegetation where hearing and visibility are impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present.
- Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
- Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
- Keep attractants secured and follow all food storage regulations.
- Don’t approach a bear.
For more information on bear safety, click here.
