bear & lion alerts - APRIL 2011

April 2011

Report from James Jonkel, FWP Bear Manager
April 22, 2011
Most of the bears are still tucked away in their dens. The cold spring and heavy snow pack has definitely put a damper on spring bear activity. But FWP Region 2 (R2) continues to field reports of grizzlies out and about in the Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages. Most of the reports are of large adult male tracks but several females with yearlings have been spotted. The majority of the radio collared grizzlies are still in their dens but we can expect to see more bears out and about as May approaches.

Antler hunters— be thinking about carcasses and the possibility of a bear feeding on the carcass. Carry bear pepper spray and keep one eye peeled for bear sign!

Most of the black bears are still denned. Only two black bears have been harvested in R2 since opening day of black bear season. Sadly, FWP R2 did have to destroy an adult black bear male on April 10th. The 350 pound adult male had broken into multiple garages and building in the Rattlesnake Drainage north of Missoula.

Take a look at a new website http://www.condonwildlifecams.com

Rattlesnake/Missoula
April 12, 2011
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks trapped and euthanized a black bear out of the Rattlesnake this weekend. This bear escalated its behavior of getting into garbage and began to break into garages and attempt to access homes via side doors. This is unfortunate and avoidable. Please contain attractants. If you have any questions about attractants on your property please feel free to contact us.

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