Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will host a bear safety training at FWP’s Missoula office (3201 Spurgin Road) on Monday, July 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The training is free, open to anyone, and no pre-registration is required.

The short class offers a comprehensive overview of bear awareness and safety information, and participants will have the chance to practice using inert bear spray. FWP staff will be available to discuss bear safety practices, bear biology, and how to handle bear encounters.

Bears can be found throughout Montana. People venturing into the outdoors should be “bear aware” by following these precautionary steps:

• Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it.
• Travel in groups whenever possible.
• Make noise periodically to avoid surprising a bear, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.
• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
• Watch for signs of bears such as scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.

For more information on bear safety, visit FWP’s page on bears in Montana at fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware. For more information on the training, contact the Missoula FWP office at 406-542-5518.