Be Prepared For Bears

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear biologists say hunters need to take steps to bearproof their hunt this year by thinking ahead about what they will do if they see a bear.

The likelihood a hunter will encounter a bear is real and it may increase when a game animal is shot. Last year, deer and elk hunters reported seven different encounters with grizzly bears in the western part of the state alone.  

Though potential conflicts were avoided, these encounters highlight how important it is to prepare for an encounter with a bear.

Here are some tried and true tips:

*  If you are alone in grizzly country let someone know your detailed plans, better yet, don’t go alone.

*  While hunting, pay attention to fresh bear sign.

*  After making a kill, get the carcass out of the area as quickly as possible.

*  Use special precautions in returning to a carcass, including placing it where it can be easily observed from a good distance.

*  Do not attempt to frighten away or haze a grizzly that is near or feeding on a carcass.

*  Carry bear pepper spray and know how to use it.

*  If physically attacked, play dead. Lie face down, covering your neck and head with your hands and arms. Leave your backpack on. Remain still until the bear is gone.

Finally, take time to rehearse various scenarios in your mind in advance. Sports trainers say, “If the mind has never been there before, the body does not know how to respond.”  

For details on how to hunt safely in grizzly country, check the 2003 Deer, Elk and Antelope Hunting regulations on page 25. To check an electronic copy of the regulations, go to the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us, click on Hunting, then Regulations, then 2003 General Regulation Information for Deer, Elk and Antelope, then click on Think Grizzly and Act Defensively.