bear & lion alerts
September 2011
BEAR Update
September 29, 2011
Rattlesnake:
Black bears are finding attractants in the Rattlesnake at an alarming rate. Here are some numbers from James Jonkel, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks' Wildlife Management Specialist:
In 2010:
• 12 black bears were relocated
• 2 black bears were euthanized
In 2011 (and 2011 is not over yet):
• 1 black bear cub died as a result of injuries sustained when it was hit by a car
• 2 black bears were euthanized
• 11 black bears were relocated, one of which was legally harvested this hunting season
These numbers are from the Rattlesnake alone! That's 28 black bears removed from the Rattlesnake in the last two years! This should be a sobering reminder of how we need to improve our stewardship to wildlife and increase the safety for both people and bears in the Rattlesnake. Containing our attractants is our responsibility. As a community we can do better.
Grant Creek:
- FWP trapped a black bear in the Grant Creek drainage. This black bear had gotten into chickens and garbage.
- A black bear was hit by a car. This injured bear had two cubs. She was monitored by FWP but has moved on.
Evaro: A black bear was hit by a car and killed on the highway.
Turah: A black bear was hit by a car and killed.
BEAR Update
September 22, 2011
ALL AREAS: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region Two is experiencing widespread berry failures. The huckleberry crop has not produced and the hawthorn and chokecherry are patchy, at best. Bears rely on these natural foods to gain weight for their winter hibernation. As a result of this failure, bear activity in the lower valleys and urban/wildland interfaces has increased, especially near domestic fruit trees. If you have fruit you can expect bears to find it. Please pick fruit early or use electric fencing to protect your trees.
Hunters, carry bear spray and pay special attention to your surroundings, especially in berry patches and river/creek bottom habitats. In the Blackfoot Valley there are multiple female grizzlies with cubs in the berry patches and riparian corridors. Know your bears and how to react in case of an encounter! You can read FWP's Hunting in Grizzly Country brochure here.
Rattlesnake: FWP trapped a female black bear on Sunday. She was relocated. There are still multiple bears active in the Rattlesnake. Please contain all attractants and pick your fruit.
Seeley Lake: A small, young black bear was trapped by FWP on the Double Arrow. This bear showed signs of being hand fed. He was extremely docile with people and very acclimated to being on porches and near homes. His scat was full of birdseed. This is not behavior natural for a bear! Sadly, due to this behavior this bear was euthanized. We cannot stress enough the importance of pulling birdfeeders. Birdfeeders can lead bears close to your home and can habituate them to human presence. This is not safe for people or bears. You may not mind if a bear approaches your home but your neighbor with three small kids may! Do not be the one person training bears to do the wrong thing in your neighborhood!
Bonner: FWP responded this week to a black bear hanging out near the Bonner School. This has been a busy area this year. If you live near the school please contain all your attractants.
Blackfoot Valley: Grizzly bear activity is high in the valley, especially around the patchy berry bushes. Hunters please use caution.
LION Update
September 22, 2011
Donovan Creek:
Two sub-adult lions were euthanized. A third lion is reported to be in the area. FWP is monitoring the situation.
Seeley Lake: Lion activity is still high in Seeley Lake. Please alert FWP if you have an encounter with a lion in Seeley Lake.
LION Update
September 14, 2011
Seeley Lake: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks captured and euthanized a lion in Seeley Lake on Tuesday, September 13.
BEAR Update
September 13, 2011
Rattlesnake: Gilbert and Dickinson - A trap is set for another black bear that has a history of entering homes and garages. Please close garage doors.
Bitterroot: A male black bear was killed near Carlton Creek on Highway 93.
Seeley Lake: Double Arrow - A bear has been entering homes and garages on the Double Arrow. FWP is actively pursuing this bear.
LION Update
September 13, 2011
Darby: A mountain lion has been getting into chickens and geese. FWP is monitoring the situation.
Donovan Creek: There is a report of a lion killing housecats and geese. FWP is closely monitoring this situation.
Seeley Lake: FWP is actively pursuing a lion in the Seeley Lake area. This lion has been highly visible and has been encountering people at close proximity. Please call FWP (542-5500) if you see or have an encounter with a mountain lion in Seeley Lake.
LION Update
September 11, 2011
HIGH ALERT for MILL CREEK ROAD - Lolo
There have been multiple reports of a lion near people in the Mill Creek area of Lolo. Please alert Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (542-5500) if you see or have an encounter with a mountain lion in the Mill Creek area.
HIGH ALERT FOR RATTLESNAKE
September 9, 2011
FWP just trapped a very large adult male black bear off Harrison Street in the Rattlesnake. FWP will relocate this bear.
FWP also trapped the black bear that was entering homes and they are going to euthanize this bear.
HIGH ALERT FOR RATTLESNAKE
September 9, 2011
There is a black bear in the lower Rattlesnake that has been entering homes through open doors and possibly windows. This bear is bold! FWP is aware of the situation and is attempting to capture this bear.
FWP also recovered a deceased black bear cub from a tree late Thursday. This bear likely died as a result of being hit by a car.
BEAR UPDATE
September 6, 2011
NOTE: Bow season has begun for black bears.
HIGH ALERT: All Five Valleys
Bears are heavily feeding on ripening fruit. Multiple bears can be expected in many locations including the Rattlesnake, East Missoula/Bonner, Grant Creek, Nine Mile and Six Mile. Pick all fruit as it ripens and store in a secure location. Rake up all fallen fruit.
Rattlesnake: A large female black bear was trapped from the Rattlesnake yesterday.
There have been multiple reports of black bears entering open garages in the Rattlesnake. Please close your garage doors. Leaving a garage door open can invite bears in and teaches bears that garages contain good things to eat. This leads to bears breaking into garages which is dangerous for both people and bears.
Big Flat: A trap was set late last week in Big Flat for a bear who had been getting into garbage. A bear has not been caught at this time.
Bonner: A bear was in garbage at the baseball diamond near Bonner school and behind homes in Bonner on Monday. The bear left the area when FWP responded.
Bitterroot: A bee yard was accessed by a black bear in the Bitterroot. FWP is investigating the electric fence design.
Lincoln: There is a report of a grizzly bear depredating on sheep in the Lincoln area.
Lower Six Mile: There are multiple reports of black bears in garbage.
LION UPDATE
September 6, 2011
Potomac/Bonner: A mountain lion is actively visible in the Potomac valley. A second lion is reported to have killed a housecat near Piltsville.
Helmville: A mountain lion was seen among sheep. No losses were reported.
BEAR UPDATE
September 1, 2011
Rattlesnake: A black bear mother and two cubs of the year were trapped and relocated after entering a home through an open garage door.
Seeley Lake: On Sunday a black bear was trapped on the Double Arrow for repeatedly going on porches and getting into garbage. The bear was euthanized.
There are multiple black bears accessing garbage in the town of Seeley Lake. Please contain your attractants!
Lincoln: FWP trapped and euthanized a second black bear out of the town of Lincoln.
West Riverside: There has been some black bear activity in and around fire camps. The USFS is working to reduce attractants at these fire camps.
Evaro: A black bear was hit by a car and killed on Highway 93 near Whispering Pines.
LION UPDATE
September 1, 2011
Seeley Lake: There has been a lion seen close to residences in Phase III of the Double Arrow and in the Camp Creek area.
Helmville: A lion was legally killed by a livestock owner after depredating on sheep.
Black bear picture on previous page: Courtesy of K. Quinn Ellis
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