Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will host open "bear aware office hours," on set days in July, August, and September in Missoula. Just stop by any time during these office hours at the Missoula FWP office (3201 Spurgin Road) for bear safety tips and to practice with inert bear spray.
- Friday, July 24 (4-6 p.m.)
- Wednesday, July 29 (3-5 p.m.)
- Tuesday, Aug. 11 (4-6 p.m.)
- Monday, Aug. 17 (2-4 p.m.)
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 (4-6 p.m.)
- Wednesday, Sept. 16 (4-6 p.m.)
FWP staff will be available to discuss bear safety practices, bear biology, how to handle bear encounters, and how to avoid attracting bears to your property. Participants will also have a chance to practice using inert bear spray with a robotic bear.
Bears can be found throughout Montana. Be "bear aware" by following these 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.
- Around home, avoid attracting bears to your property by storing garbage and other attractants in a bear resistant container or indoors; secure vulnerable livestock such as chickens with an electric fence; and avoid feeding birds during active bear season.
For more information on bear safety, visit FWP's page on bears in Montana at fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware. For more information on bear aware office hours, contact FWP education technician, Ryan Binga, at 406-610-2760 or ryan.binga@mt.gov.