SE Montana residents urged to secure attractants to keep black bears at bay

Montana is bear country. Southeast Montana may not have grizzly bears, but there are black bears concentrated in suitable habitats. Bears prefer to avoid contact with humans, and how we manage our households can play a huge role in keeping bears wild and keeping us safe.

When bears receive frequent food rewards such as household trash, pet food and fruit, they can quickly become habituated to people. This creates a situation that, if not remedied, may mean injury to humans or death for the bear.

So far this spring and summer, regional Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff have fielded several situations of bears encroaching on residential areas. Most reports involved an attractant of some kind. An attractant is anything that will draw a bear into close proximity with people. Bears have a strong sense of smell and are naturally inquisitive. Food items are always appealing, but even toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant can bring a curious bear.

“We are currently up to five conflicts in the region that I am aware of,” said wildlife manager Brett Dorak. “Currently the conflicts are all around attractants like beehives, gardens or pet food left outside.”

It is much easier to prevent an encounter in the first place than to manage a bear that has lost its wariness of humans and has discovered easily accessible calories. Once bears obtain a food reward near a residence, the chance of them returning is greatly increased. Hence the saying, “A fed bear is a dead bear.”

There are many other items that can serve as attractants for bears: birdfeeders, livestock feed, green lawns, fruit, vegetables, salt licks, garbage, compost piles, barbecue grills and utensils, toiletries, carcasses and pesticides. Bears are also drawn to smaller livestock like chickens, goats and sheep.

To avoid possible encounters, FWP recommends removing or securing any outdoor attractants at your residence. While recreating, hang your food or secure it in a vehicle or bear-proof container.

Bears may prefer forested habitats, but because they range in search of food, territory and mates, they can be anywhere. As summer transitions into fall, bear activity increases because they are consuming more calories in preparation for denning. Vegetation and water sources also become more scarce in the heat, which could draw bears into residential areas with watered lawns, garden produce and fruit.

Please do your part to be bear aware and secure any attractants to keep bears at bay and people safe. For more information on Bear Aware, visit:

https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware