Grizzly bear confirmed in central Montana mountains

Montana wildlife officials on Tuesday confirmed recent evidence of a grizzly bear roaming in central Montana.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, grizzly bear tracks and fur samples were collected from the North Moccasin Mountains near Lewistown. The tracks on the west side of the range were reported to state officials on April 29. A bear management specialist visited the site the following day and confirmed 6.25-inch-wide grizzly tracks.

State wildlife officials spoke with neighboring property owners to notify them of the bear’s presence, identify any potential conflicts, and search for additional grizzly sign. Hair collected from a barbed wire fence along a riparian area nearby was also identified as belonging to a grizzly.

According to an FWP press release, bear management specialists also worked with area landowners to secure potential human-related food sources, install trail cameras on likely travel routes and food sources, and discuss safety for farming and ranching in the area.

Bear spray was given to all landowners contacted by FWP.

This is the first confirmation of a grizzly in the North Moccasin Mountains in recent years. Last spring a grizzly bear was confirmed to have killed cattle in the Big Snowy Mountains south of Lewistown. That bear was later trapped and euthanized.

A trail camera photo of a grizzly bear was reported to have been taken in the same mountain range in early April, although FWP was not able to identify the owner of the photograph to investigate the report.

State officials advised that central Montana residents may want to consider precautions such as carrying bear spray while working and recreating, and practicing conflict prevention techniques such as removing livestock carcasses and open grain sources and installing electric fencing around potential attractants.

ACCORDING TO Fish, Wildlife and Parks information, adult grizzly bears normally are solitary wanderers, with males roaming areas up to 1,000 square miles and females roaming areas beyond 100 square miles. Grizzlies may travel 20 to 40 miles a day.

Grizzly bears historically occupied most of Montana, but today their habitat is generally confined to the mountain ranges of western Montana, from Yellowstone Park to Glacier National Park.

However, in recent years the bears are expanding into areas where they have not been for decades, FWP information notes. Sightings of bears east of the Rocky Mountain Front are becoming more common.

“Having a grizzly bear in this area is not surprising after what we’ve seen the last few years in terms of bears moving further east into central Montana,” Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional supervisor Gary Bertellotti said in a press release.

Grizzly bears remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, and final authority regarding management actions are up to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Contact information for local bear specialists can be found on FWP’s website https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/contact.