Two grizzlies captured, relocated in Lincoln County

In late May, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks captured two grizzly bears in two separate incidents in Northwest Montana and relocated the bears to remote areas.

According to a recent press release, the agency was notified that a young male grizzly bear had eaten “unsecured chickens and ducks after it had been visibly grazing in fields near residences south of Eureka.” Officials then captured the bear on May 28 and after consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, the bear was released on May 29 in a remote forested section of the Kootenai National Forest up Big Creek near Lake Koocanusa. The bear did not have a known conflict history.

In a separate incident that took place on May 27, the agency captured a young female grizzly bear on Eastman Drive in Ferndale. According to the press release, the bear had “found a bag of unsecured garbage containing dog food and dragged it into a neighbor’s yard.”

FWP repeatedly tried to haze the female bear away after the garbage was removed, but attempts were unsuccessful. After consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, the bear was moved to a remote forested section in the Deep Creek drainage near Hungry Horse Reservoir. The female bear also did not have a known conflict history.

Western Montana is home to black bears and grizzly bears that are active from springtime through late fall. Removing or securing food attractants such as garbage, pet food, bird feeders and bird seed can help to avoid conflicts with bears and other wildlife. Chickens and other livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door.

People are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at 406-250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call 406-250-0062. To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call 406-291-1320.