Topics will also include safety tips and minimizing conflict with bears

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, along with the Phillips County Commissioners, are co-hosting a public meeting on Thurs., Nov. 6, starting at 6 p.m. at the Zortman Community Center at 376 Thompson Street in Zortman. The open house will focus on the future installation of bear-deterrent fences around dump transfer stations near Zortman and Landusky. Anyone interested in bear management in northeast Montana is encouraged to attend to learn more and ask questions.

Electric fences around transfer stations are a common tool to prevent local bears from becoming food-conditioned and accessing human food sources. As local bears become less food-conditioned, they are less likely to engage in conflict behavior that requires management to maintain public safety.

Fences will be constructed in a manner that is user friendly and allows nearby residents to safely access transfer stations but prevents bears from accessing the site.

FWP staff, in conjunction with Phillips County Commissioners, will present an overview of the proposed electric fences that are planned to be installed around transfer dump stations in Zortman and Landusky. Discussions will include: why fences are being constructed, fence design and user experience, benefits of electric fences around transfer stations, and an explanation of grant monies helping to cover the costs of the materials and installation.

Although bear encounters are rare in most of northeast Montana, black bears are established in the Little Rockies and Bear Paw Mountains, and grizzly bears have been confirmed in several areas of north-central Montana, including the Bear Paws, upper Milk River, and Upper Missouri River Breaks. FWP would like homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts to continue to be “Bear Aware” as they live and recreate alongside bears.

After presenting on the electric fences, area FWP bear management specialist Dave Kemp will give a presentation on the background of bears in Montana, how the department manages bear conflict, and the challenges of living with bears.

In addition, Kemp will explain what to do during a bear encounter, how to safely deter a bear using non-lethal tools, and how to secure attractants and prevent a bear from being drawn into agricultural operations and residences.

For more information regarding this meeting, please contact Malta-area biologist Jacob Barnes 406-417-1270.