Grizzly Encounter aims to cultivate appreciation for misunderstood creatures

The fear of grizzly bears in Montana is a concern that permeates our culture and even dissuades some from exploring parts of our stunning nature access. A study conducted in 2019-2020 by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the University of Montana showed that 19% of Montanans believed that grizzly bears pose a threat to their personal safety and 28% considered the animals a safety risk to those they care about. However, one local organization is here to help quell these fears.

According to Montana Grizzly Encounter, proper bear safety education can accomplish wonders in helping us to manage our concerns. The organization aims to provide humane living conditions for grizzly bears that need rescue while simultaneously educating the public on bear safety in the outdoors. 

The location began construction in 2002 and first opened to the public in 2004. Montana Grizzly Encounter has three original founders, Casey Anderson, Ami Otten and John Peterson, all of whom shared a common interest in bear rescue and safety education.

Wyatt Macdonald, a handler for Montana Grizzly Encounter, stressed the importance of the sanctuary as a safe haven for wild grizzly bears in distress. “Ultimately, if these bears did not come here, they would not be able to survive out in the wild,”  he said.

Macdonald began sporadically volunteering with Montana Grizzly Encounter when he was 12 and recently became employed by the organization on a part-time basis this past November. According to him, all the proceeds of the organization go directly towards taking care of the bears. 

The sanctuary currently provides care for three grizzly bear rescues: Max, Maggi and Bella. While they’re generally kept separate from one another, those who buy tickets for the bear exhibit are guaranteed the chance to see at least one of the creatures.

According to Paige Davidson, an intern volunteer coordinator for Montana Grizzly Encounter, the grizzly bear exhibits can have a therapeutic effect.  “Some people even come out here and they call it ‘bearapy’, bear therapy, just watching the bears be themselves. It's just really fun and relaxing,” she said.

During one of the exhibits, Macdonald gave a thirty-minute presentation detailing crucial survival tips and protocols for bear safety in the wild. He explained how to distinguish between and handle encounters with different bear species, including how to safely use bear spray, as well as the precautionary measures one can take to hopefully avoid dangerous encounters altogether.

Macdonald stressed that these creatures are not our enemies. “Bears out in the wild are misrepresented as these big bloodthirsty beasts who want to hunt you down, kill you and eat you. That is completely false,” he said. “Bears are not these big angry creatures that go around the woods looking for a fight. They go around looking for stuff to eat and just living out their daily lives and we kind of impose on that just a little bit.” 

Davidson echoed this sentiment. “We hope to change that fear into a healthy respect, is what we want. Because we're in their home, and just because we're in their home doesn't mean we have to be afraid of them attacking us constantly. We follow their rules, we're going to be okay,” she said.

According to her, this makes bear safety education an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore Montana’s outdoors.

“Most people in Bozeman are active out in the wild. They need to know the how to’s of what to do if you encounter a bear. And you can absolutely learn a lot of stuff online, but you're gonna learn a whole lot more just by talking to people that hang out with bears every single day,” Davidson said.

Montana Grizzly Encounter offers positions for volunteering and internships year round. The sanctuary generally requires at least a three month commitment, typically demanding volunteer work for one to two days a week. In addition, the internships offered can help fulfill credit requirements for MSU students pursuing relevant majors, such as Wildlife Biology.

The organization also accepts food donations — excepting roadkill, rotten food, eccetera — as well as monetary support. The latter can either be donated online, or simply by purchasing a ticket and visiting the encounter at 80 W Bozeman Hill Rd.

Tickets and season passes are all available on the Montana Grizzly Encounter website, grizzlyencounter.org.