Hunters Need to Be Bear Aware

Montana FWP sent this bulletin at 09/11/2014 10:20 AM MDT

September 11, 2014

TIPS & GUIDELINES

Bear Spray—Carry It & Know How to Use It

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray and urges hunters to learn other bear-aware safety measures.

Hunters in bear country need to:

carry bear spray and know how to use it,
hunt with a partner, leave detailed plans with someone and check-in periodically,
pay attention to fresh bear sign. Look for bear tracks, scat, and concentrations of natural foods,
use caution when hunting areas that have evidence of bear activity or areas with scavenging birds such as magpies, ravens, or crows.

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BE PREPARED

Hunters Must Expect to See Bears!

With Montana's upland game bird season and the bow hunting season underway, remember that slow moving, quiet and camouflaged hunters will soon be sharing the landscape with the state's even stealthier bears that may be stalking similar prey.

It may not be an encounter one hopes for, but all hunters must be aware there is that potential.

Grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness complex and the Yellowstone ecosystem. Black bears also range widely across the state.

Read more from FWP

WATCH VIDEO

How to Use Bear Pepper Spray

For hunters who encounter aggressive bears, a can of bear pepper spray can save lives.