Learn bear spray basics at June 14 event

As spring rains give way to clear summer skies, locals and visitors alike begin to spend more time outdoors. The same is true for our local wildlife populations who occupy the same alpine mountaintops, cool river bottoms, and packed down hiking trails.

Northwest Montana is home to the largest population of grizzly bears in the Lower 48, as well as some areas with an estimated one black bear per square mile, requiring additional safety precautions when recreating outdoors. Bear spray is an effective defensive tool for a negative wildlife encounter when used properly, and it is our responsibility to learn how and when to use it. Most importantly, bear spray should be carried in an easily accessible place.

Wildlife encounters can vary greatly, and each merits its own response. If you spot a bear in the distance and it hasn’t appeared to notice you, quietly leave the area. Likewise, if the bear has acknowledged you but remains unbothered at a distance, stay calm and slowly back away while making noise.

If the bear appears agitated — behavioral signs include ears pinned back, front paw stomping, huffing, and/or jaw clacking — retrieve your bear spray and back away slowly. Always face the bear, speaking in a low, calming voice as you are leaving the area.

If the bear is approaching in a threatening manner, deploy your bear spray when the animal is about 30 feet away (or sooner if the bear is running at you). Aim the spray slightly downward to create a cloud for the bear to go through for maximized effectiveness.

In addition to bear spray, another tool to stay safe while recreating in bear country is to know your wildlife tracks, signs, and knowledge of foraging behaviors. The ability to identify fresh bear tracks, signs (scat, digs, etc.), calls of scavenging birds who may be on a carcass, and areas of dense natural food sources (such as huckleberry bushes) can help determine if an area is safe to recreate in. This heightened awareness may prevent you from having a wildlife encounter altogether, or prepare you to act quickly if a defensive response is needed in a surprise encounter.

This may all sound simple in theory, but we recommend anyone living or recreating in bear country to practice using inert cans of bear spray. The propellant in bear spray has a surprisingly strong kickback, and can affect the deployment of the spray if used incorrectly. 

There will be a local opportunity to practice using inert cans of bear spray at the Bigfork VFW on June 14 from 1-3 p.m. Swan Valley Connections and People and Carnivores are co-hosting a Bear Awareness and Bear Spray Training event. Hear from wildlife conflict prevention professionals about bear ecology, living in bear country, and learn how to use bear spray. After the presentation, practice your newly acquired skills on our pseudo-charging bears.

Additionally, Swan Valley Connections offers free bear spray training at our Condon office (6787 Montana 83), no appointment needed. If you are interested in improving your knowledge of wildlife tracking, check out our education program offerings on our website at swanvalleyconnections.org.

Swan Valley Connections is a local conservation and education nonprofit located in Condon and provides resources for living safely in bear country to anyone in the Bigfork and Ferndale communities. Swan Valley Connections loans out bear-resistant garbage containers for free indefinitely and offers a cost-share program for electric fencing around attractants, such as chickens and orchard trees. We provide free property consultations and will design a fence to suit the needs of the landowner and maintain proper specifications to deter grizzly bears. Swan Valley Connections trained staff will even install the electric fence, free of charge.

Call 406-754-3137 or email Jackie@svconnections.org to learn more about these offerings.

To report bear sightings or conflicts, contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Bear Manager, Erik Wenum, at 406-250-0062. Special thanks to Heart of the Rockies Initiative, MT FWP, and federal funding that increase capacity to reduce bear conflicts in the Swan Watershed.