Bears emerging from hibernation

Grizzly and black bears have begun emerging from dens, and with the warm weather and longer days of spring, more bears will likely be emerging in the coming weeks, state wildlife officials warn.

A black bear was spotted Sunday roaming around houses on Edgewood Place in Whitefish. Fresh signs of grizzlies have been reported in Lincoln County near Libby as well.

“Just this morning I received reports of grizzly tracks just north of Libby,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear management specialist Kim Annis said Tuesday. “It was just on the outskirts of town.”

She said the end of March is typically the time adult male bears awake from hibernation.

“It’s around March 20 every year,” Annis said. “They slowly start trickling out through May. It’s not unusual, even if they’re denned under 5 feet of snow, to come out.”

She said bears will be moving to lower elevations to take advantage of dry grasses or any new vegetation greening up.

Wildlife officials note that it takes a few weeks for a bear’s digestive system to get back to normal — the bear has been in the den for up to five months without eating, defecating, or urinating. The stomach and digestive system is empty so the bear starts out eating dry grass or roughage to activate the digestive system.

Still, Annis said the beginning of April is a good time for residents to “get everything all locked up and get into bear mode.”

Bears will be attracted to anything that smells like food, officials warn. Residents should take down bird feeders or bring them in a night, secure garbage inside a closed garage or secure shed, feed pets inside, clean up chicken and livestock feed, and in general remove all odorous substances that can draw bears.

In Montana, it is illegal to intentionally feed ungulates, mountain lions, and bears. This includes putting out grain, deer blocks, mineral blocks, sunflower seeds, garbage, meat scraps, bread, doughnuts, brownies, and other food.

Officials advise resident to bang pots and pans to scare bears off their property and to call Fish, Wildlife and Park for assistance.

Hikers, mountain bikers, hunters and other recreationalists should carry bear spray, keep it readily available for use, and know how to use it.

Annis added that residents with bear conflicts should contact Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials.

“All of us have loaner resources and information to share. We encourage people to call.

For more information contact the following Wildlife Management Specialists: Tim Manley, 250-1265; Erik Wenum, 250-0062; or Kim Annis, 291-1320.