Spring is here, and that means bears in Montana are leaving their dens. Wildlife managers report bear sightings across northwest Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says staff are already responding to reports of black bears eating garbage and bird feeders in the Whitefish and Bigfork areas. Reports are also trickling in of bear track observations on the east side of the Flathead Valley, Swan Valley and north near Eureka.
FWP is urging people to be bear aware and secure all attractants, like garbage, bird feeders, chickens and livestock. FWP says unsecured food attractants are the most common cause of human-bear conflicts, which often end with the bear being killed.
Tips from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks:
- Now is a good time to haul garbage to landfills or green box sites and keep residential garbage bins inside until the morning of pickup service.
Residents are encouraged to report bear activity. To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.
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