bear & lion alerts - APRIL 2010

April 2010

Mountain Lion Update
April 18, 2010
Mountain Lions are continuing to use low elevation lands. Salting for deer or feeding turkeys can bring lions in close to your home. Lions can become habituated to living and hunting in close proximity to humans if deer and turkey are being intentionally lured in by salting or feeding. Over the last couple of months FWP has had to destroy multiple lions involved in residential and pet conflicts. Please do not feed wildlife.

Bear Update
April 18, 2010
Black Bear Season started April 15th. When black bear hunting, remember that grizzlies could be in the area. Carry bear spray and be aware that lone black bears may be females and that the young may be nearby. Orphaned cubs have little chance of survival if their mother is harvested unintentionally. For more information on "Hunting in Grizzly Country" and hunting for black bears, go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website.

In recent weeks, FWP R2 has fielded more reports of grizzly bears in and around the Blackfoot and Clearwater drainages. If you are out enjoying the beautiful weather and looking for antlers, carry bear spray and watch for any bear sign. Be extra careful near riparian areas.

If you see a bear or lion you can fill out a bear and lion sighting form.

Rattlesnake ALERT
April 5, 2010
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has received numerous reports of a black bear in the Rattlesnake neighborhoods pulling down birdfeeders and knocking over garbage cans. They are keeping a close eye on the situation. Please remember to take birdfeeders down and contain your garbage so it is not accessible to bears. You can send us a bear sighting report form by following this link. Thank you.

*If you cannot open any of the pdf documents on this page, please contact us for a copy.

Black bear picture on previous page: Courtesy of K. Quinn Ellis