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Grizzly bear

Conservation > Bear September is Bear Aware Month

Join us for a Bear Aware event near you


Bear Safety and Education Events

  • Sept 6, Bear Safety Virtual Event, 6-7:30 p.m

  • Sept 9 in Lewistown, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Come see our booth at the Chokecherry Festival

  • Sept 11-13 in Kalispell, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
    5th Annual Fruit Drive at the FWP office in Kalispell: Donate fruit from your property. All fruit will be sent to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.

  • Sept 12, Bear Safety Virtual Event, 6-7:30 p.m

  • Sept 14 in Billings, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at the FWP Region 5 (2300 Lake Elmo Dr)
    *Free bear spray for the first 25 registered participants 18+ years old, who complete the bear aware training.

  • Sept 19 in Missoula, 4-8 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at the FWP Region 2 (3201 Spurgin Rd)

  • Sept 20 in Florence,  5-8 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at the Florence Fire Hall, 234 Holloway Lane

  • Sept 21 in Bozeman, 6-7:30 p.m.
    A "Bear Nutrition" talk - both in person at the FWP R3 office (1400 South 19th Ave) and virtual
    Grizzly Bear Nutritional Ecology: how understanding their strategies for getting and using food energy may help us reduce human-bear conflict. 

  • Sept 25 in Shelby, 3-6 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at Marias River Electric Cooperative, Inc (910 Roosevelt Highway)
    *Free bear spray for the first 25 registered participants 18+ years old, who complete the bear aware training.

  • Sept 26 in Helena, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at Montana WILD (2668 Broadwater Ave)
    *Free bear spray for the first 25 registered participants 18+ years old, who complete the bear aware training.

  • Sept 27 in Butte, 11:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
    Come visit our Bear Safety Trailer at Montana Tech
    *Free bear spray for the first 25 registered participants 18+ years old, who complete the bear aware training.

  • Sept 28 in Helena at Montana WILD, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
    Grizzly Bear Nutritinoal Ecology Talk: Grizzly bears are not simply eating machines, gobbling up anything in their path.  Reviewing results from several recent studies in Yellowstone and beyond, FWP Biologist, Dr. Costello, will describe the remarkable strategies bears employ to get the most out of available foods and to use that energy to increase their fitness.  By understanding bear strategies, we can get a clearer picture of why bears are tempted by anthropogenic foods and take steps to secure our attractants and reduce human-bear conflict.  This program is geared toward students 12 and up.

    Reserve a spot by calling 406-444-9941 or emailing corie.rice@mt.gov  Please include name and age of all participants and a good contact phone number.

  • Sept 30 at Lone Pine State Park, 10-11:30 a.m. 
    With the change of the seasons comes a very important time of the year for one of Montana’s most popular mammals. Fall means intense preparation for the winter by bears. Come hear about what fall and the change of the seasons means for Montana’s two species of bear. This program will be an informative and engaging way to also learn about why bears hibernate and what that means for human exploration in the wintertime.

    Registration is required for this event. Please call 406-755-2706 ext. 0 to register, as space is limited. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-of-state vehicles).


Family Friendly Bear Aware Events at Montana WILD

Grizzly Bears in Paradise

Grizzly Bear Recovery in the northern Rockies has been a wildlife success story, especially within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. But with success comes responsibility. For Grizzly Bear Specialist, Jeremiah Smith, that responsibility involves community engagement and bear conflict management.

Check out some more helpful videos to learn about being bear aware in Montana:

Bear Aware Playlist 

STAY SAFE AROUND BEARS

FWP employee talking with a resident about bear transportation.

Avoid attracting bears

Living in Bear Country >
Fisherman walking along a river shoreline.

How to stay safe afield

Hunting and Angling >
Black bear behind wood fence.

Protect you and your property

AGRICULTURAL (FARMERS & RANCHERS) >
Bear standing on grassy landscape.

Be prepared to deal with bears

Bear Encounters >
Folks standing outside listening to FWP employee talk about bear awarness.

Learn more about being bear aware

Resources >

Carry Bear Spray and Know How to Use it

Bear spray is a very effective deterrent when used properly. Carry bear spray in an easily-accessible location and learn how to use it.