HELENA — The Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Department is reminding Montanans that as the snow melts and warmer weather is right around the corner, bears and other wildlife that hibernate during the winter are beginning to wake up.
From black bears to grizzlies, much of Montana is Bear Country, and those headed out into the backcountry or the outdoors, in general, can take steps to protect themselves.
Tips from FWP to stay Bear Aware:
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Travel with a group when you can and plan activities during daylight
- 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 forests where hearing and visibility are impaired - most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present
- Don't approach or provoke bears
