Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 7, 2023, at around 4:56 p.m., Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reported that one person was injured Wednesday morning in an encounter with a black bear along the Middle Fork Flathead River near Nyack. 

Around 6:00 a.m., a commercial raft company was on a guided overnight trip with two guides and three clients when a bear entered their camp. The victim, an adult female guide, reported she was sleeping outside on the ground when she sustained injuries from what is believed to be a black bear. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Logan Health - Whitefish. 

According to Montana FWP, bear spray was deployed but the bear returned multiple times to camp. Montana FWP bear conflict specialists are investigating with interagency cooperation from the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. FWP specialists are searching for the bear. 

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Montana FWP wants to remind folks that the state is bear country and all bears are potentially dangerous. The majority of human-bear conflicts involve bears protecting their young or a food source and most bear encounters do not involve any conflict. 

Montana FWP recommends staying alert and looking for bear activity. If you are going to recreate outdoors, you should always carry bear spray and know how to use it. 

Follow local land management agency food storage orders and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent. 

Food storage options are: 

  • Bear boxes 
  • Hard-sided vehicles, but avoid leaving attractants in vehicles for extended periods of time (backcountry trips) 
  • IGBC-certified bear-resistant containers 
  • Electric fencing 

Learn more about bear safety here. 

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