Montana bear safety tips with FWP expert

MONTANA — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the Treasure State has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48, along with plenty of black bears.

That is why the agency is urging people to think about bear safety before heading into the outdoors. Vivaca Crowser with Montana FWP said one of the simplest steps is making noise.

“If you're with a group, that helps because you're naturally talking and kind of giving wildlife an awareness that you're there. If you're by yourself, you just have to remember every now and then to make a little noise, [say] "hey bear" or anything you can say just to kind of give any wildlife that might be around that we're not aware of a sense that we're there,” said Crowser.

She explained that in most situations, bears did not want an encounter with people. Crowser added that the right response is based on not what species the bear is, but on how the animal is acting.

“It's more about the bear's behavior. So, just know that in most cases what you're going to be running into is a surprise attack. And in those cases, it's giving the bear space, just stopping what you're doing and in a non-threatening way, trying to leave the area,” she said.

Crowser also said bear spray is the most important item to carry in case a bear keeps coming closer.

Montana FWP also holds bear safety workshops where people can practice with non-irritant training bear spray and learn more about the animals in general. More information on upcoming workshops is available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website.