Hunters Must Expect to See Bears

Grizzly bears have the potential to be found anywhere in the western two-thirds of Montana (west of Billings), and their distribution is denser and more widespread than in previous years. Some areas with dense concentrations of grizzly bears are very accessible to hunters, especially during the archery season. Keep these precautions in mind when hunting in grizzly country:

• Carry and know how to use bear spray. Keep it within easy reach and be prepared to use it immediately.

• Stay alert, especially when hearing or visibility is limited. Watch for environmental indicators of recent bear activity. If there is abundant fresh sign of grizzly bears in the area, consider hunting elsewhere. Let other hunters know when bears and/or fresh sign are observed.

• Travel and hunt in groups whenever possible. This can help you make casual noise to alert bears to your presence, and it may also increase your chance of survival in the event of a bear attack.

• Follow all food storage regulations. Contact the applicable land management agency (i.e. U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.) to learn what food storage rules apply where you’re hunting.

• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.

• Carry the equipment you need to process a carcass and get it out of the field as quickly as possible.

How to stay safe afield

• Pack meat out as soon as possible.

• Avoid cutting up a carcass at dusk or night.

• If you kill an animal at dusk, be prepared to cut up carcass in the dark by carrying strong headlamps. Be extra vigilant and watch for bears.

• Properly hang meat until you can retrieve your downed game.

• If you must leave your animal, return to the site carefully. Leave it in an area that is easily observable from a distance.

• Drag gut piles into open areas, if possible, and at least 100 yards from your carcass as soon as possible.

• If a bear has claimed your animal, do not attempt to haze or frighten the bear away. Report any lost game to FWP.

• Bird hunters should be extra careful while walking in and along areas of brush because grizzly bears use thick cover for day beds - especially along waterways. Bird hunters should, walk with the wind, carry bear spray, and keep a close eye on hunting dogs. If there is abundant fresh sign of grizzly bears in the area, consider bird hunting somewhere else.

Be prepared to deal with bear encounters.

In an encounter, the bear’s behavior, rather than its species, should determine how you respond.

In any bear encounter, your behavior matters. Bears respond to your actions. During an encounter with a bear:

Never run away. You cannot outrun a bear. Running may trigger a bear to chase.

Never approach the bear.

Different situations call for different responses.

If you see a bear at a distance, the bear appears unaware of you and you can move away undetected, do so quietly when the bear is not looking toward you.

If you cannot avoid a bear that sees you, stand your ground and watch its behavior. Move away when it disengages.

What to do in an encounter:

If a bear is not actively engaged with you (looking away, ignoring you, running away or retreating).

Give the bear space by backing away slowly from the bear and going in the opposite direction of the bear.

If a bear shows agitated/defensive behavior (huffing, jaws clacking, head swaying back and forth, bellowing, swatting the ground, and excessively salivating at the mouth)

Stand your ground, prepare your bear spray, and speak in a calm manner, until the bear retreats.

If a bear charges or appears ready to charge:

• Stand your ground.

• If it charges, use your bear spray, when the bear comes within 30-60 feet.

• If the bear is going to touch you, go face down on the ground, cover your neck and head as much as possible, and deploy your bear spray in the bear’s face. If you do not have bear spray, play dead if it is a grizzly bear, fight back if it is a black bear.

If a bear follows you, or slowly, purposefully or methodically approaches you:

• Stand your ground.

• Get aggressive: wave your arms and shout vigorously.

• Get spray out and ready.

• Fight back if it makes contact.

If a bear enters or reaches into your tent:

• Use your bear spray.

• Fight back.

For more tips on staying safe in bear country, visit FWP’s Bear Aware web page.