bear & lion alerts
August 2011
**LION UPDATE**
August
29, 2011
Lions are still prevalent in the valleys! It is extremely important that you DO NOT salt for deer/elk and/or feed wild turkeys. These practices have endangered people and resulted in lions being removed from the population. Remember, if you draw in the prey you will get the predators!
BEAR UPDATE
August 29, 2011
Missoula: The Missoula fall bear shuffle has begun! Bears are coming into the valleys for chokecherry, hawthorn and apples. It is very important that garbage, birdfeeders and other unnatural attractants be contained at this time. Bears are entering hyperphagia (excessive hunger) and will forage all day in order to gain enough weight to hibernate.
The City of Missoula and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will be enforcing Missoula's Wildlife Feeding Ordinance 3330 and Missoula's Garbage Ordinance 3419. Tickets will be issued as needed if you are in violation of these ordinances. You can find out more information about these ordinances on our Community Resources page under Living With Bears.
Big Flat: Several bears have been seen in the Upland Trail dumpsters. These dumpsters need to be secured. FWP is aware of the situation. In addition, numerous residential garbage cans and birdfeeders have been accessed by bears. Please secure your garbage and take in your birdfeeders!
East Missoula: A female black bear with cubs entered a house through an open door. FWP is working to aversively condition her and is monitoring her right now.
Rattlesnake: At least six to eight bears are active in the Rattlesnake. Some have been seen with ear tags. If you see a bear you can report it here. Some volunteers will be going door-to-door with "Bear Aware" door hangers. Thank you to these volunteers!
Kelly Island: A bee yard was accessed by a bear and has been secured with an electric fence.
Seeley Lake: Three traps are set for bears on the Double Arrow. Three to four different bears have been seen on porches and in uncontained garbage. There are still many birdfeeders out in the Double Arrow. These are not only a food attractant but a sight attractant. Please pull your birdfeeders and secure your garbage.
Lincoln: Four to five black bears have been seen in and around Lincoln. Uncontained garbage and birdfeeders are still a major problem. A second black bear was captured and was euthanized this last week.
Anaconda: A black bear that had been trapped near Foster Creek Job Corp and was relocated into the Sapphire Range recently returned to Anaconda and was recaptured after repeatedly getting into garbage and coming into close proximity to people. This bear was then euthanized by FWP.
The Bitterroot: Apples and garbage are the major attractants in the Bitterroot right now. There is a new fully auto-mated bear-resistant container now available from a company out of Arizona. Please contact your waste hauler about possible options for securing your garbage.
Frenchtown: Unsecured chicken coops are still a very serious attractant in Frenchtown. For more information about electric fencing click here.
East of Clearwater Junction: A black bear has been working uncontained garbage in dumpsters. FWP is aware of the situation.
BEAR UPDATE
August 22, 2011
Anaconda: A bear was trapped this morning 8/22/11 for breaking into a home. We will alert you as this situation develops.
Rattlesnake & Grant Creek: Everyone should expect bear activity to increase as fruit trees begin to ripen. A female with cubs has been seen in the upper Rattlesnake and a bear was spotted in Greenough Park. Last week a bear broke into a garage. FWP is monitoring the situation.
If you need assistance picking your fruit you can contact the Great Bear Foundation at http://greatbear.org/ or 406-829-9378.
Lincoln: Due to multiple conflicts a bear was destroyed in Lincoln.
LION UPDATE
August 22, 2011
All Areas: Please remember - DO NOT salt for deer and/or feed wild turkeys. Salting and turkey feeding has led to multiple lion conflicts.
Anaconda: West Valley - FWP is monitoring lion activity in and around town.
Lincoln: FWP is monitoring lion activity.
Seeley: Lion activity is high in the Seeley Lake area. Multiple family groups are hunting fawns in the valley. MDFWP is monitoring the situation.
Turah: Unfortunately, a dog was killed by a lion in the Turah area. MDFWP is actively on call for this area.
Corvallis: Lions are currently being aversively conditioned in the Corvallis area.
Black bear picture on previous page: Courtesy of K. Quinn Ellis |
