bears

Nearly every day this week, Bear Manager James Jonkel with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says he has received between five to six calls about bear sightings in urban areas in western Montana.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is trying to get a public safety message out about bears to hunters and hikers in Western Montana. FWP spokeswoman Vivica Crowser says there are particular areas to avoid. "It's been pretty busy here over the past month or so, we've had lots of reports of bears in various places...

Scientists will begin trapping grizzly bears south of Meeteetse (muh-TEET'-see) as part of an ongoing study of the bears across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

  As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Northern Continental  Divide Ecosystem, various wildlife agencies will be capturing the animals for research and management. Pre-baiting and scientific operations are once again about to begin in parts of Western Montana and will continue intermittently through the end of Octobe

Birdfeeders, compost piles, garbage cans and pet food can all condition bears to look for easy food sources. Bears have awoken from their winter slumber and begin the process of gaining weight. One bear had been breaking into buildings for about 10 days...

The change in weather is prompting bears to come out of their dens. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has already received several reports of bears venturing into Missoula area neighborhoods looking for food. On Sunday one adult male black bear, found in the rattlesnake district, was captured  and euthanized...