FWP to host public workshop on bear safety in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS – How to safely recreate in bear country is the focus of an upcoming public workshop hosted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Great Falls.  The event is free and will be held at FWP’s Region 4 headquarters at 4600 Giant Springs Road from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on June 21. Pre-registration is not required. 

The workshop will focus on how recreationists can stay safe outdoors and minimize conflicts with bears, as well as what to do during a bear encounter, how to use bear spray, how to protect harvested game, how to safely deter a bear, and how to secure attractants to prevent bears from being drawn near homes. Participants will also have an opportunity to practice using inert bear spray.

Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. People venturing into the outdoors should be “bear aware” by following these precautionary steps: 

• Carry and know how to use bear spray. 
• Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours. 
• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. 
• Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses. 
• Make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility is impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present. 
• Don't approach a bear. 

For more information on bear safety, visit FWP’s page on bears in Montana at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear or visit the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s website at igbconline.org.  

For more information on the workshop, contact the Great Falls Region 4 office at 406-454-5840.

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