HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear Management Specialist Wesley Sarmento delivered a presentation at the Havre Senior Center on Tuesday about how to safely work and recreate in bear country.
Although grizzly bear sightings are rare on the Hi-Line east of I-15, the growth of the grizzly population along the rocky mountain front has led to some sightings as far east as Big Sandy in recent years.
“This year we’ve actually had no sightings of (grizzly) bears north of the Missouri River out east here (this year). But down near Lewistown, we’ve had multiple sightings. We kind of think it’s the same grizzly bear popping up in that area. A lot of the bears that make it really far east are typically young bears that are dispersing and exploring new territory, and then they return to where they were raised.”
If you encounter a grizzly bear and it doesn’t see you, the best thing to do is leave undetected. If the bear does see you and know you’re there, Sarmento says it is best to get your bear spray or firearm ready, speak calmly, move slowly, and back out of the area.
There have been sightings of mountain lions and black bears in the region, including in the bear paws, and bear spray can be used to deter these animals as well.
“Bear spray can work with mountain lions. And certainly, if a mountain lion ever attacks you, the best thing to do is fight it off with all you can. Punch it in the nose, poke it in the eyes, go for the vulnerable parts on the animal. Or use sticks and rocks or a gun or whatever you’ve got.”
The proper way to use bear spray is to make sure it’s on your person. Point the can slightly down, start spraying when the bear is around 35 feet away, and spray in two-second bursts so you have more spray if needed.
If a bear is on your property, you can deter it away by hazing it with a hard-sided vehicle or by using scare devices such as airhorns or paintball guns. Putting an electric fence around livestock is also a useful deterrent.
Grizzly bears in the northern continental divide ecosystem continue to be listed as a ‘threatened species’ by the federal government, meaning that they cannot be hunted and FWP must get permission from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to relocate or euthanize problem bears.
FWP cannot take action on grizzly bears unless they are threatening people or property. And residents are not allowed to kill or injure grizzly bears unless they fear for their life.
Anyone that sees a grizzly bear in the area or sees identifiers that they were in the area are urged to contact Sarmento at 406-450-1097. FWP can provide bear spray and electric fencing, and can help clean up attractants around homes.
