How to Keep Bears Out of Your Yard
Bear Identification
Bear & Lion NewsHunting in Grizzly Country
Bear Aware Events

Emergency Contacts
911 or Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 542.5500

bear & lion alerts

January - April 2012

LION UPDATE
April 30, 2012
Stevensville: A mountain lion has been seen in around the east side of the Stevensville valley.  At this time it appears the lion has been attracted to turkey activity.  Please do not feed wild turkeys!

April 25, 2012
Lions are following deer into the valleys due to spring green up. Lion sightings have increased around the Missoula area. You can report lion sightings here or call Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 542-5500.

Lolo: A lion was shot by a landowner in the Lolo area. FWP is currently looking into the situation. Two lions were also seen in Lolo. FWP investigated but the lions had moved on.

BEAR UPDATE
April 30, 2012
All locations: Females with cubs of the year are now emerging from their dens.  These bears are calorie stressed and will be looking for food.  It is crucial that all attractants are secured at this time.  The moms will be “training” their young where to find the best food resources available.  Please do not let that be your garbage can, birdfeeder or chicken coop.  If you have questions please contact us.

Lower Nine Mile: A black bear has been accessing birdfeeders in the lower Nine Mile.  Birdfeeders are a major attractant to bears.  If you must feed the birds please hang the birdfeeder 10feet up and at least 4feet from adjacent posts.  Use a catch plate to avoid seed on the ground.  Keep in mind that this may still attract bears to your yard as a “sight attractant”.  Just make sure they do not get a food reward once there

Bonner: There were two black bears seen at the Lions Club ball fields in Bonner last week.

Rattlesnake: Multiple black bears are active in the Rattlesnake at this time. A garbage can was reportedly tipped over by a bear in Brookside. Time to secure all attractants.

April 25, 2012
Bears are quickly emerging from their dens. Carry bear spray and stay alert when in bear country. If you jog in bear country do not wear headphones, stay aware of your surroundings and carry bear spray. Bears are currently active in areas like the Rattlesnake, Pattee Canyon and Grant Creek.

Antler hunters, there is a lot of grizzly activity in the Blackfoot. If you are going to be hunting antlers please carry bear spray and stay alert of your surroundings. Report grizzly activity to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 542-5500.

One black bear has been legally harvested in FWP Region 2.

Rattlesnake: We have had multiple reports of bear activity in the Rattlesnake. This includes garbage cans being tipped over. Secure all attractants! If you live in the Rattlesnake, by law you must secure your garbage in a way that bears cannot get into it. If you have questions please feel free to contact us.

Friday a black bear was hit and killed on Interstate 90 below Mount Jumbo.

Bonner: Two black bears were seen during a youth baseball game at the Lions Club field in Bonner yesterday evening. These bears have moved on and FWP is working with the community to reduce attractants. It is likely these bears just emerged from their den.  

BEAR UPDATE
April 12, 2012

Blackfoot: Sightings of grizzlies and grizzly activity have really picked up in the Blackfoot Valley. This is especially true around Lincoln and Ovando. Please carry bear spray if recreating in these areas and contain all attractants on your property. 

LION UPDATE
April 12, 2012

All regions: The spring green up has started to occur in our valley locations. As the deer come in for the green grasses the lions follow. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has had numerous reports of lion activity in Miller Creek, O'Brien Creek, the Bitterroot and other areas. Please do not feed deer or turkeys. It is against the law and can bring lions onto your property. 

Clinton: A mountain lion was euthanized by FWP this morning after repeatedly getting into chickens and being close to homes.  

A mountain lion was hit and killed this morning on HWY 93 between Lolo and Missoula.

Miller Creek: A lion has been seen around homes in Upper Miller Creek. This lion has gotten into turkeys and possibly chickens. Domestic and non-domestic fowl are attractants for lions. It is important to secure your poultry with electric fence and do not feed wild turkeys. It is against the law to feed wild turkeys and can draw predators onto your property.

BEAR UPDATE
April 9, 2012

Upper Rattlesnake: A black bear was found dead in the Upper Rattlesnake. This bear has been deceased since last fall but was only recently spotted after the snow melted. FWP is looking into the case for more details.

Lincoln: A grizzly was spotted near Lincoln and a few sets of tracks have been seen in the Blackfoot Valley.

All Regions: FWP expects that all bears will be up by May so please secure all attractants!  

LION UPDATE
March 29, 2012

Miller Creek: Last week a mountain lion killed chickens at a residence. The landowner shot and killed this male lion. A second lion is now getting into chickens in the same area.

BEAR UPDATE
March 29, 2012

Rattlesnake: There have been a couple of unconfirmed reports of bear activity. Bears are waking up and looking for available food resources. Now is the time to pull in birdfeeders, secure garbage and all other possible attractants. If you have questions please contact us or look in the Community Resources section of the website.  

BEAR UPDATE
March 21, 2012

Bears are waking up! Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region Two had a report of a grizzly track in the Blackfoot. The Rocky Mountain Front and the Greater Yellowstone area both have grizzly activity at this time. Please secure all attractants such as chickens, garbage, birdfeeders and pet food. Bears will be looking for easy calories and a full garbage can is irresistible. If you have questions about securing attractants please contact us.

LION UPDATE
March 5, 2012

Rattlesnake: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has been receiving reports of mountain lion activity near the Rattlesnake main trailhead and surrounding neighborhoods. You can report mountain lion activity here or call Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks at 542-5500.  

LION Update
January 31, 2012