Spring bear notes from FWP
by Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montanans interested in the well being of grizzly bears have had good and bad news recently.
After 26 years, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population was declared recovered. The bears were removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife species in April 2007, though grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem still face challenges.
"Human caused grizzly mortalities continue to be scrutinized, especially for female grizzly bears that are critical to the survival of the bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem," said Chris Smith, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks deputy director and a long-time member of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
"A serious issue for grizzly bears is the unprecedented attack of mountain pine beetles on whitebark pines," said Smith.
Whitebark pine seeds are a staple in grizzly bears' diets in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems.
Smith said some bear biologists are concerned that the loss of the nutritional whitebark pine seeds could in turn reduce the grizzly bears' reproductive success.
"Providing areas where grizzlies can expand their range and find new foods will be an important part of helping the bears cope with the loss of whitebark pine trees," Smith said.
In another part of the state, the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Project concluded there were an estimated 765 grizzly bears in the Northern Divide ecosystem in 2004—well above what was expected. This project involved two years of fieldwork by more than 200 researchers and crew and three years of analysis of more than 34,000 bear DNA samples.
Researchers genetically analyzed the bear hair samples, identifying 563 individual grizzly bears, then used statistical models to estimate the total number of bears.
The Northern Continental Divide grizzly population is one of five grizzly bear recovery zones located in portions of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington. Grizzly bears also occur north of the border in Canada and in Alaska.
In the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem, in northwestern Montana, the grizzly population is the smallest in the state, about 40 bears. FWP's work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to boost this population by transplanting a limited number of young female bears has met with some success and a recent set back. The two female bears released into this ecosystem in 2008 died about two months after their release—one was struck by a train and the other shot and killed at a residence outside of Noxon The work to augment the grizzly population in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem will continue.
The ultimate good news would be that grizzly bears are finding ways to interbreed between some recovery zones. IGBC scientists and the U.S. Geological Survey recommended genetic testing to discover whether grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region have interbred with grizzlies from elsewhere.
"Interbreeding between grizzly bear recovery areas is important insurance for the future because it will maintain the genetic diversity they need to withstand diseases and other pressures on them," said Smith.
In the meantime, Montana's grizzly bears are experiencing significant reductions and changes in key habitat, fragmentation of travel corridors from one ecosystem to other, changes in foods available to them and increased contact with humans.
"The successful management of grizzly bear populations includes a commitment to address the challenges posed by the many environmental changes the bears face," Smith said.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Montanans' early commitment to maintaining grizzly bear populations is apparent—the state contains all or portions of four of the six areas in the lower 48 states identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for grizzly bear recovery.
Grizzlies were never eliminated from Montana as they were elsewhere. Their numbers probably bottomed in the 1920s. At that time, changes were made to secure the grizzly bear's future, including designating grizzlies a "game animal" in 1923, the first such designation of the species in the lower 48 states. Early prohibitions on the use of dogs to hunt bears, outlawing baiting, closing seasons and other measures also allowed grizzly bears to survive in portions of western Montana.
###
MONTANA’S BLACK BEAR
by Kim Annis
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Wildlife Biologist, Libby
The American black bear is a distant cousin to the grizzly bear, and remains a revered game animal in Montana.
Several factors have allowed the black bear to thrive while grizzly bear populations declined in Montana and elsewhere.
Unlike most large carnivores, black bears are uniquely able to thrive in the presence of humans. They are adaptable and curious, occupying approximately 45 percent of western and west-central Montana.
Black bear hunting has long been a tradition in Montana. An average of 1,000 black bears are harvested in Montana annually, with more than 50 percent of the bear harvest occurring in FWP's Region 1 in northwestern Montana.
One of the challenges biologists face in managing black bears, a long-lived game species, is that the age structure of the population can shift in ways that are subtle and sometimes difficult to perceive over time.
To learn more about Montana's black bear population a study headed by FWP wildlife biologist Rick Mace is underway.
"The study will estimate bear population size and harvest rate using DNA hair snares placed in eight Bear Management Units and three Hunting Districts," said Tonya Chilton, FWP wildlife research technician assisting with the research. "The information gained from the study will help document Montana's black bear populations and evaluate black bear harvest strategies."
While both grizzly and black bears can be found occupying the same landscape, black bears generally prefer the security of heavy timber and canopied forests over open shrubfields, except when abundant berry production draws them out.
All bears are strongly driven by food consumption and females have the challenge of raising and caring for young too. Last year's exceptional huckleberry and berry crops should translate into some healthy bear cubs this spring.
Black bears are omnivorous, as humans are, but their diets vary in response to the natural foods available. This "foraging strategy" helps make the black bear good at locating wild food sources and it can often lead them into trouble when they locate human foods.
The proximity of bears to people will not necessarily lead to a conflict as long as humans secure all potential bear attractants. The root of most human-bear conflicts is the availability of human foods to the bears. Making efforts to secure these attractants can be very effective at preventing a potential conflict and will help keep Montana's black bears out of trouble. -fwp-
###
A GOOD REASON NOT TO RUN—PACK BEAR SPRAY
By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer
Research in Alaska indicates that bear spray reduces the number of bears killed in self-defense and reduces human injuries caused by bears.
"Bear spray has been used successfully to prevent injury to humans and bears," said Tom Smith, an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in Utah who studied bear spray while he was a wildlife ecologist at the USGS Alaska Biological Science Center in Anchorage.
In addition, Smith believes, after analyzing thousands of bear attacks and people's responses that bear spray also benefits people by giving them a reason not to run away.
Of 42 cases where people ran when confronted by a bear, only two bears left without further interaction. In the other cases, bears chased the fleeing people and in some instances attacked and mauled them.
"Running did not bring about the desired outcome. Running should not be high on anyone's list of options for dealing with a bear," Smith said.
Yet confronted by a bear with no deterrent at hand, most people do panic and run.
Smith said bear spray helps people to stand their ground and that conveys a message to the bear that they are a "co-dominant" and unwilling to yield.
Another side benefit to bear spray is that the sudden, loud hissing of the spray and the billowing orange cloud can sometimes startle and even turn a bear before the spray reaches them.
The active ingredient in bear spray is an extremely strong irritant. It obviously turns the tables and makes the aggressor the victim, Smith said.
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray in addition to always following proper bear avoidance safety techniques.
IGBC bear spray recommendations can be found on the IGBC Web site, or go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov under Wild Things and click on Living With Wildlife for more on living with bears.
###
When and where to use bear pepper spray:
* Bear spray should only be used as a deterrent in a confrontation with a bear.
* Bear spray is effective only when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an animal at close range. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, equipment or to the surrounding area as a repellent.
* Each person should carry a can of bear spray when working or recreating in bear habitat.
* Spray should be carried in a quick, accessible fashion such as in a hip or chest holster.
* In your tent, keep bear spray readily available next to your flashlight and a can available in your cooking area.
* Bear spray should be tested once a year. Do not test spray in or near a camping area, or on clothing or equipment. Be sure to check the expiration date on your can of bear spray.
How to use bear spray:
* Remove safety clip
* Aim slightly down and in front of the approaching bear. If necessary, adjust for cross wind.
* Spray again if the bear continues to approach.
* Once the animal has retreated or is busy cleaning itself, leave the area as quickly as possible (don't run) or go to an immediate area of safety, such as a car, tree, or building. Do not chase or pursue the animal.
TIPS ON SELECTING A BEAR SPRAY AND LIVING WITH BEARS
Bear Spray must be clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears" according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's Web site. Purchase products that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency's Bear Deterrent Web site lists registered bear pepper spray manufacturers.
No deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray has demonstrated the most success in fending off threatening and attacking bears and preventing injury to the person and animal involved, bear experts say.
For more information on living with bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' online at fwp.mt.gov on the Wild Things page and click Living With Wildlife.
Always report encounters with grizzly bears where the bear is aggressive or displays defensive behaviors toward people, livestock or pets by contacting FWP at 1-800-TIP-MONT, or by directly contacting a FWP bear management specialist nearest the area where the bear is seen:
* Mike Madel, Choteau, 406-466-5100
* Tim Manley, Kalispell, 406-751-4584
* Kevin Frey, Bozeman, 406-994-3553
* James Jonkel, Missoula, 406-542-5508
* Kim Annis, Libby, 406-293-4161 X107
For more on recreating safely in bear country, see the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Education page.
###
GOOD NEWS FOR CAMPERS THIS SUMMER
Summer vacations and camping trips in 'grizzly country' will be simpler and more convenient this summer.
"The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has identified a couple of bear resistant coolers that will eliminate the need to suspend food out of bears' reach," said Chris Smith, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks deputy director.
Smith said the newly approved products make it much easier for outfitters and recreationists to comply with food storage orders in grizzly country.
"Outfitters and campers are really going to appreciate these new cooler designs," Smith said. "The coolers will also work on the Smith River where the adoption of food storage orders was hampered by the impracticality of hanging coolers."
These rugged ice-boxes have airtight seals, special fittings, and stainless steel latches or padlocks. The IGBC publishes an online list of products approved for use where food storage orders are in effect and other approved products such as electric fencing at: http://www.igbconline.org/
Prior to the certification of these new coolers, food had to be hung at least 10 feet in the air and four feet from the pole or tree.
Smith said USFS food storage restrictions are for the public’s safety and to foster grizzly bear recovery by preventing bears from becoming food-conditioned—that is conditioned to find an easy meal from garbage cans, coolers and the like.
Food storage orders in effect on U.S. Forest Service lands include the Flathead, Lolo, Lewis and Clark, and Helena National Forests. Signs explain the orders and offer tips on how to behave in bear country.
For details on USFS food storage orders, contact your local Ranger District Office, or check the Website for the forest you plan to visit. For example, the Flathead National Forest has its food order posted online at www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wildlife/gr...ndex.shtml .
The 2009 Living With Predators resource guide produced by the Living with Wildlife Foundation in cooperation with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also describes the IGBC certified products at www.lwwf.org.
For a complete guide to living in bear country, go to the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov and click on Wild Things and Living With Wildlife to find the FWP Be Bear Aware page.
###
BEAR MYTHS—WHY BEARS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD
By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer
Lewis and Clark were among the first to report seeing the "great white bear" about 200 years ago. By that time bear stories were already a favorite of early explorers and trappers, and later these stories appeared in the early correspondence and diaries of pioneers and settlers.
Before Americans had movies and TV to scare them, they had a good tall tale about grizzly bears of the West.
Unfortunately, this love of a good story continues to get in the way of understanding and living with bears.
"While many wild animals, including bears, can be dangerous under the right circumstances, especially if surprised or threatened, bears are normally shy and reclusive creatures," said Kim Annis, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks grizzly bear management specialist in Libby.
Annis said that recent research by FWP in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem found that many people who express a fear of bears are unaware of how many people are attacked or killed by grizzlies each year in the lower 48 states.
"Based on the analysis of existing statistics, about three people are killed in bear attacks annually, including polar bears, in North America," Annis said. "In the CYE there have been no known cases of a grizzly injuring a human in the past 35 years."
"When it comes to living with wildlife, knowledge is the best of all defenses," she said.
Since most people don't have the opportunity to observe bears first hand, Annis took on some common myths about bears to set the record straight.
MYTH: Bears are naturally aggressive towards humans.
TRUTH: Bears are normally shy, aloof animals. They may act aggressively, like many other wild animals, as a last resort if they feel threatened. A bear may act aggressively to defend its space, food or cubs, but bears rarely exhibit predatory behavior toward humans.
MYTH: A bear standing on its hind legs is preparing to charge.
TRUTH: A bear that is standing on its hind legs is trying to get above the vegetation for a better view, or smell, of something nearby. A bear that is preparing to charge will have all four feet on the ground, its head down and its ears back.
MYTH: If a bear huffs and growls, or slaps the ground, it is about to attack.
TRUTH: A bear that huffs, growls, slaps the ground, salivates, “pops” its jaws, or is using other body postures is communicating to you that it feels threatened. It is trying to scare you away. These threat displays are a bear's way of trying to avoid a confrontation.
MYTH: Once a bear charges, it is attacking.
TRUTH: A bear that is running at you is still gathering information and deciding what to do. The bear may only be “bluffing” and may stop short of reaching you. Or, it may run past you or veer away at the last moment. Bluff charges can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a real charge, but a bear that is bluffing and only trying to scare you away will usually run with a hopping or bouncing motion with its head up and ears forward.
MYTH: The best way to get away from an aggressive bear is by running.
TRUTH: Never run from any wild animal, especially bears. Running away may “kick in” the chase instinct that is natural to all predators. Bears are excellent sprinters and can reach speeds of over 25 mph quickly, even going up or down hills.
MYTH: If you can, you should climb a tree to escape from a grizzly bear.
TRUTH: Climbing a tree is not a good strategy. Bears, including grizzly bears, can climb trees. Typically if you are able to climb the tree, so can the bear.
MYTH: A gun is always the best defense against a bear.
TRUTH: Bear spray is an EPA regulated product that is specifically designed for use during a bear confrontation. If used correctly, it temporarily affects the bears breathing and sight. Bear spray may help diffuse a potentially dangerous situation by forcing the bear to reassess its options and providing the user time to move out of harms way. Research in Alaska suggests that people who use firearms against bears are more often attacked and severely injured than those who use bear spray during a confrontation with a bear.
MYTH: Bears will defend their territory from other bears.
TRUTH: Unlike wolves or mountain lions, bears do not have territories and do not actively try and keep other bears out. Bears have what is called a home range—an area they use annually that may shrink or expand from year to year. Bears' home ranges commonly overlap with those of other bears, allowing more than one bear to share an area.
###
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CONFLICTS WITH BEARS
Human behavior is perhaps the most important half of the equation in a positive wildlife encounter—especially with bears. Here are some tips on human behavior that will help you prepare for safe outings this spring and summer.
Tips For Recreating In Bear Country
* In Montana, assume bears are present whether there are reports of bears in the area or not.
* Carry and know how to use bear spray.
* Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
* Travel in groups of three or more people whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
* Stay on trails or rural roads.
* Watch for bear sign such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks.
* Keep children close.
* Announce your presence with voices or whistles when you are near streams, thick forest or winding trails where visibility is low.
* Avoid approaching a bear, respect their space and move off.
* Follow all forest service food storage orders including keeping food stored securely and maintaining a clean camp.
Tips For Bear Encounters
* Do not run from a bear. Running may trigger a natural predator-prey attack response.
* Make certain you have bear spray at the ready.
* Immediately pick up small children and stay in a group.
* Move away from the bear, if it is possible to do so.
* Throw a kerchief or other object on the ground—but not food items or a backpack with food in it—a as you move away to distract the animal’s attention.
* If a black bear approaches, try to scare it away by shouting or making noise.
* If a black or grizzly bear attacks at night while you’re in a tent, fight back aggressively with sticks or stones.
* If a grizzly bear attacks during the day, most experts recommend playing dead by curling up in a ball face down. Use your hands and arms to protect the back of your neck and face, and keep your backpack on for added protection. Do not move or make noise until you are sure the bear has left the area.
###
TIP-MONT IS AN ALL SEASON CRIMESTOPPER PROGRAM
Montana’s TIP-MONT "crimestopper" program receives calls year round because wildlife crimes and vandalism occur at any time.
It is a good idea to keep the TIP-MONT number handy. It is 1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668.
The TIP-MONT hotline is a toll free number that is used to report natural resource crimes, hunting and fishing violations, or vandalism on all public lands and in Montana State Parks. The caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
To report violations or suspected violations call: 1-800-TIP-MONT. For more information, visit FWP’s web site at fwp.mt.gov and seach for TIP-MONT .
###
Montanans interested in the well being of grizzly bears have had good and bad news recently.
After 26 years, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population was declared recovered. The bears were removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife species in April 2007, though grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem still face challenges.
"Human caused grizzly mortalities continue to be scrutinized, especially for female grizzly bears that are critical to the survival of the bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem," said Chris Smith, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks deputy director and a long-time member of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
"A serious issue for grizzly bears is the unprecedented attack of mountain pine beetles on whitebark pines," said Smith.
Whitebark pine seeds are a staple in grizzly bears' diets in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems.
Smith said some bear biologists are concerned that the loss of the nutritional whitebark pine seeds could in turn reduce the grizzly bears' reproductive success.
"Providing areas where grizzlies can expand their range and find new foods will be an important part of helping the bears cope with the loss of whitebark pine trees," Smith said.
In another part of the state, the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Project concluded there were an estimated 765 grizzly bears in the Northern Divide ecosystem in 2004—well above what was expected. This project involved two years of fieldwork by more than 200 researchers and crew and three years of analysis of more than 34,000 bear DNA samples.
Researchers genetically analyzed the bear hair samples, identifying 563 individual grizzly bears, then used statistical models to estimate the total number of bears.
The Northern Continental Divide grizzly population is one of five grizzly bear recovery zones located in portions of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington. Grizzly bears also occur north of the border in Canada and in Alaska.
In the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem, in northwestern Montana, the grizzly population is the smallest in the state, about 40 bears. FWP's work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to boost this population by transplanting a limited number of young female bears has met with some success and a recent set back. The two female bears released into this ecosystem in 2008 died about two months after their release—one was struck by a train and the other shot and killed at a residence outside of Noxon The work to augment the grizzly population in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem will continue.
The ultimate good news would be that grizzly bears are finding ways to interbreed between some recovery zones. IGBC scientists and the U.S. Geological Survey recommended genetic testing to discover whether grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region have interbred with grizzlies from elsewhere.
"Interbreeding between grizzly bear recovery areas is important insurance for the future because it will maintain the genetic diversity they need to withstand diseases and other pressures on them," said Smith.
In the meantime, Montana's grizzly bears are experiencing significant reductions and changes in key habitat, fragmentation of travel corridors from one ecosystem to other, changes in foods available to them and increased contact with humans.
"The successful management of grizzly bear populations includes a commitment to address the challenges posed by the many environmental changes the bears face," Smith said.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Montanans' early commitment to maintaining grizzly bear populations is apparent—the state contains all or portions of four of the six areas in the lower 48 states identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for grizzly bear recovery.
Grizzlies were never eliminated from Montana as they were elsewhere. Their numbers probably bottomed in the 1920s. At that time, changes were made to secure the grizzly bear's future, including designating grizzlies a "game animal" in 1923, the first such designation of the species in the lower 48 states. Early prohibitions on the use of dogs to hunt bears, outlawing baiting, closing seasons and other measures also allowed grizzly bears to survive in portions of western Montana.
###
MONTANA’S BLACK BEAR
by Kim Annis
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Wildlife Biologist, Libby
The American black bear is a distant cousin to the grizzly bear, and remains a revered game animal in Montana.
Several factors have allowed the black bear to thrive while grizzly bear populations declined in Montana and elsewhere.
Unlike most large carnivores, black bears are uniquely able to thrive in the presence of humans. They are adaptable and curious, occupying approximately 45 percent of western and west-central Montana.
Black bear hunting has long been a tradition in Montana. An average of 1,000 black bears are harvested in Montana annually, with more than 50 percent of the bear harvest occurring in FWP's Region 1 in northwestern Montana.
One of the challenges biologists face in managing black bears, a long-lived game species, is that the age structure of the population can shift in ways that are subtle and sometimes difficult to perceive over time.
To learn more about Montana's black bear population a study headed by FWP wildlife biologist Rick Mace is underway.
"The study will estimate bear population size and harvest rate using DNA hair snares placed in eight Bear Management Units and three Hunting Districts," said Tonya Chilton, FWP wildlife research technician assisting with the research. "The information gained from the study will help document Montana's black bear populations and evaluate black bear harvest strategies."
While both grizzly and black bears can be found occupying the same landscape, black bears generally prefer the security of heavy timber and canopied forests over open shrubfields, except when abundant berry production draws them out.
All bears are strongly driven by food consumption and females have the challenge of raising and caring for young too. Last year's exceptional huckleberry and berry crops should translate into some healthy bear cubs this spring.
Black bears are omnivorous, as humans are, but their diets vary in response to the natural foods available. This "foraging strategy" helps make the black bear good at locating wild food sources and it can often lead them into trouble when they locate human foods.
The proximity of bears to people will not necessarily lead to a conflict as long as humans secure all potential bear attractants. The root of most human-bear conflicts is the availability of human foods to the bears. Making efforts to secure these attractants can be very effective at preventing a potential conflict and will help keep Montana's black bears out of trouble. -fwp-
###
A GOOD REASON NOT TO RUN—PACK BEAR SPRAY
By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer
Research in Alaska indicates that bear spray reduces the number of bears killed in self-defense and reduces human injuries caused by bears.
"Bear spray has been used successfully to prevent injury to humans and bears," said Tom Smith, an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in Utah who studied bear spray while he was a wildlife ecologist at the USGS Alaska Biological Science Center in Anchorage.
In addition, Smith believes, after analyzing thousands of bear attacks and people's responses that bear spray also benefits people by giving them a reason not to run away.
Of 42 cases where people ran when confronted by a bear, only two bears left without further interaction. In the other cases, bears chased the fleeing people and in some instances attacked and mauled them.
"Running did not bring about the desired outcome. Running should not be high on anyone's list of options for dealing with a bear," Smith said.
Yet confronted by a bear with no deterrent at hand, most people do panic and run.
Smith said bear spray helps people to stand their ground and that conveys a message to the bear that they are a "co-dominant" and unwilling to yield.
Another side benefit to bear spray is that the sudden, loud hissing of the spray and the billowing orange cloud can sometimes startle and even turn a bear before the spray reaches them.
The active ingredient in bear spray is an extremely strong irritant. It obviously turns the tables and makes the aggressor the victim, Smith said.
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray in addition to always following proper bear avoidance safety techniques.
IGBC bear spray recommendations can be found on the IGBC Web site, or go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov under Wild Things and click on Living With Wildlife for more on living with bears.
###
When and where to use bear pepper spray:
* Bear spray should only be used as a deterrent in a confrontation with a bear.
* Bear spray is effective only when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an animal at close range. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, equipment or to the surrounding area as a repellent.
* Each person should carry a can of bear spray when working or recreating in bear habitat.
* Spray should be carried in a quick, accessible fashion such as in a hip or chest holster.
* In your tent, keep bear spray readily available next to your flashlight and a can available in your cooking area.
* Bear spray should be tested once a year. Do not test spray in or near a camping area, or on clothing or equipment. Be sure to check the expiration date on your can of bear spray.
How to use bear spray:
* Remove safety clip
* Aim slightly down and in front of the approaching bear. If necessary, adjust for cross wind.
* Spray again if the bear continues to approach.
* Once the animal has retreated or is busy cleaning itself, leave the area as quickly as possible (don't run) or go to an immediate area of safety, such as a car, tree, or building. Do not chase or pursue the animal.
TIPS ON SELECTING A BEAR SPRAY AND LIVING WITH BEARS
Bear Spray must be clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears" according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's Web site. Purchase products that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency's Bear Deterrent Web site lists registered bear pepper spray manufacturers.
No deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray has demonstrated the most success in fending off threatening and attacking bears and preventing injury to the person and animal involved, bear experts say.
For more information on living with bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' online at fwp.mt.gov on the Wild Things page and click Living With Wildlife.
Always report encounters with grizzly bears where the bear is aggressive or displays defensive behaviors toward people, livestock or pets by contacting FWP at 1-800-TIP-MONT, or by directly contacting a FWP bear management specialist nearest the area where the bear is seen:
* Mike Madel, Choteau, 406-466-5100
* Tim Manley, Kalispell, 406-751-4584
* Kevin Frey, Bozeman, 406-994-3553
* James Jonkel, Missoula, 406-542-5508
* Kim Annis, Libby, 406-293-4161 X107
For more on recreating safely in bear country, see the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Education page.
###
GOOD NEWS FOR CAMPERS THIS SUMMER
Summer vacations and camping trips in 'grizzly country' will be simpler and more convenient this summer.
"The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has identified a couple of bear resistant coolers that will eliminate the need to suspend food out of bears' reach," said Chris Smith, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks deputy director.
Smith said the newly approved products make it much easier for outfitters and recreationists to comply with food storage orders in grizzly country.
"Outfitters and campers are really going to appreciate these new cooler designs," Smith said. "The coolers will also work on the Smith River where the adoption of food storage orders was hampered by the impracticality of hanging coolers."
These rugged ice-boxes have airtight seals, special fittings, and stainless steel latches or padlocks. The IGBC publishes an online list of products approved for use where food storage orders are in effect and other approved products such as electric fencing at: http://www.igbconline.org/
Prior to the certification of these new coolers, food had to be hung at least 10 feet in the air and four feet from the pole or tree.
Smith said USFS food storage restrictions are for the public’s safety and to foster grizzly bear recovery by preventing bears from becoming food-conditioned—that is conditioned to find an easy meal from garbage cans, coolers and the like.
Food storage orders in effect on U.S. Forest Service lands include the Flathead, Lolo, Lewis and Clark, and Helena National Forests. Signs explain the orders and offer tips on how to behave in bear country.
For details on USFS food storage orders, contact your local Ranger District Office, or check the Website for the forest you plan to visit. For example, the Flathead National Forest has its food order posted online at www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wildlife/gr...ndex.shtml .
The 2009 Living With Predators resource guide produced by the Living with Wildlife Foundation in cooperation with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also describes the IGBC certified products at www.lwwf.org.
For a complete guide to living in bear country, go to the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov and click on Wild Things and Living With Wildlife to find the FWP Be Bear Aware page.
###
BEAR MYTHS—WHY BEARS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD
By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer
Lewis and Clark were among the first to report seeing the "great white bear" about 200 years ago. By that time bear stories were already a favorite of early explorers and trappers, and later these stories appeared in the early correspondence and diaries of pioneers and settlers.
Before Americans had movies and TV to scare them, they had a good tall tale about grizzly bears of the West.
Unfortunately, this love of a good story continues to get in the way of understanding and living with bears.
"While many wild animals, including bears, can be dangerous under the right circumstances, especially if surprised or threatened, bears are normally shy and reclusive creatures," said Kim Annis, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks grizzly bear management specialist in Libby.
Annis said that recent research by FWP in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem found that many people who express a fear of bears are unaware of how many people are attacked or killed by grizzlies each year in the lower 48 states.
"Based on the analysis of existing statistics, about three people are killed in bear attacks annually, including polar bears, in North America," Annis said. "In the CYE there have been no known cases of a grizzly injuring a human in the past 35 years."
"When it comes to living with wildlife, knowledge is the best of all defenses," she said.
Since most people don't have the opportunity to observe bears first hand, Annis took on some common myths about bears to set the record straight.
MYTH: Bears are naturally aggressive towards humans.
TRUTH: Bears are normally shy, aloof animals. They may act aggressively, like many other wild animals, as a last resort if they feel threatened. A bear may act aggressively to defend its space, food or cubs, but bears rarely exhibit predatory behavior toward humans.
MYTH: A bear standing on its hind legs is preparing to charge.
TRUTH: A bear that is standing on its hind legs is trying to get above the vegetation for a better view, or smell, of something nearby. A bear that is preparing to charge will have all four feet on the ground, its head down and its ears back.
MYTH: If a bear huffs and growls, or slaps the ground, it is about to attack.
TRUTH: A bear that huffs, growls, slaps the ground, salivates, “pops” its jaws, or is using other body postures is communicating to you that it feels threatened. It is trying to scare you away. These threat displays are a bear's way of trying to avoid a confrontation.
MYTH: Once a bear charges, it is attacking.
TRUTH: A bear that is running at you is still gathering information and deciding what to do. The bear may only be “bluffing” and may stop short of reaching you. Or, it may run past you or veer away at the last moment. Bluff charges can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a real charge, but a bear that is bluffing and only trying to scare you away will usually run with a hopping or bouncing motion with its head up and ears forward.
MYTH: The best way to get away from an aggressive bear is by running.
TRUTH: Never run from any wild animal, especially bears. Running away may “kick in” the chase instinct that is natural to all predators. Bears are excellent sprinters and can reach speeds of over 25 mph quickly, even going up or down hills.
MYTH: If you can, you should climb a tree to escape from a grizzly bear.
TRUTH: Climbing a tree is not a good strategy. Bears, including grizzly bears, can climb trees. Typically if you are able to climb the tree, so can the bear.
MYTH: A gun is always the best defense against a bear.
TRUTH: Bear spray is an EPA regulated product that is specifically designed for use during a bear confrontation. If used correctly, it temporarily affects the bears breathing and sight. Bear spray may help diffuse a potentially dangerous situation by forcing the bear to reassess its options and providing the user time to move out of harms way. Research in Alaska suggests that people who use firearms against bears are more often attacked and severely injured than those who use bear spray during a confrontation with a bear.
MYTH: Bears will defend their territory from other bears.
TRUTH: Unlike wolves or mountain lions, bears do not have territories and do not actively try and keep other bears out. Bears have what is called a home range—an area they use annually that may shrink or expand from year to year. Bears' home ranges commonly overlap with those of other bears, allowing more than one bear to share an area.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CONFLICTS WITH BEARS
Human behavior is perhaps the most important half of the equation in a positive wildlife encounter—especially with bears. Here are some tips on human behavior that will help you prepare for safe outings this spring and summer.
Tips For Recreating In Bear Country
* In Montana, assume bears are present whether there are reports of bears in the area or not.
* Carry and know how to use bear spray.
* Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
* Travel in groups of three or more people whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
* Stay on trails or rural roads.
* Watch for bear sign such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks.
* Keep children close.
* Announce your presence with voices or whistles when you are near streams, thick forest or winding trails where visibility is low.
* Avoid approaching a bear, respect their space and move off.
* Follow all forest service food storage orders including keeping food stored securely and maintaining a clean camp.
Tips For Bear Encounters
* Do not run from a bear. Running may trigger a natural predator-prey attack response.
* Make certain you have bear spray at the ready.
* Immediately pick up small children and stay in a group.
* Move away from the bear, if it is possible to do so.
* Throw a kerchief or other object on the ground—but not food items or a backpack with food in it—a as you move away to distract the animal’s attention.
* If a black bear approaches, try to scare it away by shouting or making noise.
* If a black or grizzly bear attacks at night while you’re in a tent, fight back aggressively with sticks or stones.
* If a grizzly bear attacks during the day, most experts recommend playing dead by curling up in a ball face down. Use your hands and arms to protect the back of your neck and face, and keep your backpack on for added protection. Do not move or make noise until you are sure the bear has left the area.
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TIP-MONT IS AN ALL SEASON CRIMESTOPPER PROGRAM
Montana’s TIP-MONT "crimestopper" program receives calls year round because wildlife crimes and vandalism occur at any time.
It is a good idea to keep the TIP-MONT number handy. It is 1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668.
The TIP-MONT hotline is a toll free number that is used to report natural resource crimes, hunting and fishing violations, or vandalism on all public lands and in Montana State Parks. The caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
To report violations or suspected violations call: 1-800-TIP-MONT. For more information, visit FWP’s web site at fwp.mt.gov and seach for TIP-MONT .
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