bear & lion alerts - May 2010
May 2010
May is always a very busy month for bear activity! Bears are looking for food after leaving their dens and natural food resources are concentrated in the valleys until the snow melts in higher elevations.
Blackfoot Valley
May 24, 2010
FWP is receiving a lot of reports of grizzly activity in the Blackfoot Valley. If you see sign of grizzly activity you can fill out a sighting report here.
Bonner/East Missoula
May 24, 2010
A black bear has been seen eating from birdfeeders in the area. Please bring in birdfeeders for the season. This includes hummingbird feeders. Birds do not need extra food in the summer season. Native plants, birdbaths and birdhouses are excellent substitutes.
A mountain lion has also been seen in the area. If you see a mountain lion please notify FWP 406-542-5500 or fill out a sighting form.
Grant Creek
May 24, 2010
A black bear was legally shot and killed in
Grant Creek over the weekend. FWP is still looking into this case.
If you have questions or concerns about securing bear attractants on your property contact us. Reducing attractants minimizes bear-human conflicts and creates a safer community for bears and people.
Seeley Lake / Double Arrow HIGH ALERT!!
May 20, 2010
A black bear was destroyed in the Seeley Lake area this week. This bear had a history of visiting porches. Another black bear has been seen on porches after this event. If you live in the Seeley Lake / Double Arrow area, please secure all attractants on your property, especially from porches and decks. This includes garbage, birdseed and pet food. These bears have also been approaching when they see birdfeeders and garbage bags/cans, even if these items are empty. If you have questions about attractants contact us. Also, check out our new Clearwater Neighborhood Network Project here.
We are working to find funding to replenish the Seeley Transfer Site's bear-resistent container checkout program. If you are interested in checking out a bear resistant 95-gallon garbage container or cost-sharing to purchase one please contact us. We will have to order these but knowing how many people are interested would help in placing an order.
Rattlesnake Area
May 18, 2010
A black bear was trapped and relocated out of the upper Rattlesnake this week. This bear had been actively seeking out turkey feed. Feeding turkeys can attract both bears and mountain lions. The bears are attracted to the highly nutritious feed and the mountain lions are attracted to the turkeys. It is important that residents do not feed wildlife. Please remember that feeding even one species actually affects many species and the results are not always positive.
Ninemile Area
May 12, 2010
A message from James Jonkel, Wildlife Management Specialist, FWP:
Hunters are reporting a lot of bear activity in the Ninemile and conflicts have been constant for the last week. Now is the time to run an extra tight ship--all garbage contained, all grain and chicken in lock boxes and no bird feeders, etc. It should quiet down in mid-June, but will probably pick up again when the choke cherries get ripe along the creek.
Seeley Lake
May 12, 2010
Bear activity is picking up around Seeley Lake! A bear has been visiting decks in the Double Arrow neighborhood. FWP is keeping a close eye on this situation. Residents, please bring in any attractants.
This includes birdfeeders, pet food, and garbage. This bear may be attracted to just the sight of items such as an empty birdfeeder, garbage bags with clean recycling, and empty garbage cans. If you see a bear, you can fill out a bear sighting report here or you can always call FWP at (406) 542-5500.
Superior Area
May 10, 2010
A black bear was destroyed this morning in the Superior area for killing chickens. If you would like some information about keeping bears out of chicken coops, please contact us.
Grant Creek Area
May 10, 2010
A black bear has shown an interest in BBQ pits in the Grant Creek area. When living in bear country it is best NOT to store your BBQ on your porch. Store your BBQ in a secure location such as a garage or shed. If you have to store it outside make sure it is cleaned after each use.
Rattlesnake Area
May 10, 2010
There have been a few sightings of black bears in the Rattlesnake in the last week. Please bring in birdfeeders and do not put your garbage out until the morning of pickup. Also, whether hiking in the Rattlesnake wilderness or walking through the neighborhood, it is a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings and watch for fresh bear sign. WE always recommend carrying bear spray when walking, running, or recreating in bear country.
Lincoln Area
May 10, 2010
Reports are coming in of black bears in garbage in the town of Lincoln.
Ninemile Area
May 10, 2010
There has been an increase in bear activity in and around chicken coops and birdfeeders in the Ninemile area. Please bring birdfeeders in for the season or hang properly.
Click here for more information.
Chicken feed is particularly attractive to bears. Please store chicken feed in a secure location or a bear-resistent container. Electric fence can be used to protect your chicken coop. Contact us with any questions that you may have about installing an electric fence around a chicken coop.
Clinton Area
May 5, 2010
There have been numerous reports of a black bear and a mountain lion near homes in the Clinton area. The black bear has had access to garbage. If you need options for storing your garbage please contact Erin Edge at eedge@defenders.org / 406-531-6007 or James Jonkel with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 406-542-5500.
Ninemile
May 4, 2010
FWP has received reports of a black bear at the confluence of Ninemile Creek and Butler Creek. The bear has been getting into garbage, birdfeeders and suet. FWP also received information that
a lion was seen at a residence in the same vicinity. Other than that, it has been quiet in the Ninemile Country. If you live in the Ninemile and are interested in more Living with Wildlife information, check out the Ninemile Wildlife Workgroup's website.
Superior and Saltese
May 4, 2010
There have been reports of black bear activity around town and a bear possibly getting into chickens and rabbits in the Superior area. In Saltese, a black bear has been seen at a local restaurant getting into garbage. Remember, bears are attracted to garbage, livestock feed and birdfeeders. Please keep attractants away from bears.
Blackfoot and Clearwater Drainages
May 4, 2010
There have been a lot of reports of grizzly activity in the upper Blackfoot and Clearwater
drainages. You can fill out a bear sighting form here. Grizzlies and black bears are at lower elevations feeding on vegetation where the snow has melted. Pay close attention to any bear sign if you are recreating or living in these low elevation riparian areas. We always recommend carrying bear spray in bear country.
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 see a bear or lion you can fill out a bear and lion sighting form.
*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
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