FWP reminds folks that grizzlies, black bears are awake

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks biologists are reminding folks that bears are awake and people should secure attractants like dog food, bird food, chickens feed and garbage.

FWP bear and lion specialist Erik Wenum caught a 6-year-old, 340-pound male grizzly bear April 6 south of Eureka.

The next day the bear was examined and radio-collared. The grizzly was then released on April 8 in Glacier National Park, assisted by Park personnel in an area seasonally closed due to snow and road conditions. There are no known previous management situations involving this bear.

The grizzly was implicated in a calf depredation that occurred on April 2.  The bear had been previously captured in British Columbia during research trapping efforts in the fall of 2011. At that time the bear was fitted with ear-tags and released.

Wenum has already caught four black bears in the Columbia Falls and Whitefish areas, which were moved from the areas where they were causing problems. This level of activity indicates that while many bears may still be denned or close to their dens some have dropped to lower elevations in search of foods, he noted.

As temperatures rise and snow melt begins more bears are emerging and dropping to the valley floor.

Wenum said he estimates that 15 to 20 percent of the bear population is out and roaming around, with more to come as it warms up.

Green up has been slow in coming to the valley floors this spring, as March and early April were cold and snowy. It’s only been in the last week that temperatures have risen to more normal levels.

With many people in the valley raising chickens, it’s important to secure the birds as well. Wenum said chicken areas should be secured with electric fencing, which has proven to be an effective deterrent. 

A guide is available at FWP’s web site at: http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getitem.aspx?id=48893