Living in Bear Country
Bears can smell food and trash from miles away, and once an easily accessible food source is identified, they will return, which is not only dangerous for people, but food-conditioned bears are often killed when they become a nuisance. Mismanagement of attractants can lead these majestic creatures to develop harmful habits, posing potential dangers to both people and bears. Garbage serves as one of several attractants, and securing your property appropriately is essential for maintaining safety and the wild nature of bears. To comply with Montana law (MCA 87-6-216, avoid wildlife conflict, reduce attractants and be a good neighbor to local wildlife, please avoid providing a food reward to bears.
Important and Helpful Tips
- Secure garbage in an Evergreen Disposal bear-resistant trash cart and store waste in a locked structure or indoors until service.
- Don't leave pet food outside.
- Remove hanging bird feeders April-November.
- Keep backyard chickens, bee hives, & small livestock secure with electric fencing.
- Pick fallen and ripe fruit off trees.
- Keep backyard grills/BBQs clean and stored in a locked structure when not in use.
- Keep backyard compost with food scraps in a bear resistant container.
To Report Bears on Your Property:
Northern Flathead and Lincoln County:
Justine Vallieres
(406) 250-1265
Southern Flathead County:
Erik Wenum
(406) 250-0062
Lincoln County to Eureka:
Garrett Tovey
(406) 291-1320
Printable Resources for Residents & Homeowners:
At Home Bear Safety Tool Kit (PDF)Bear Safety Property Checklist (PDF)Own a local Vacation Rental? (PDF)WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL, RUGGED LANDSCAPE. EVERYONE LIVING IN BEAR COUNTRY MUST DO THEIR PART TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD WHILE RECREATING, ELIMINATE PROPERTY ATTRACTANTS, AND CONTAIN GARBAGE IN A BEAR-RESISTANT MANNER AT ALL TIMES.
KEEP MONTANA WILD AND HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
*MCA 87-6-216. Unlawful supplemental feeding.
(1) A person may not provide supplemental feed attractants to game animals by:
(a) purposely or knowingly attracting any cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears, or mountain lions with supplemental feed attractants;
(b) after having received a previous warning, negligently failing to properly store supplemental feed attractants and allowing any cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears, or mountain lions access to the supplemental feed attractants; or
(c) purposely or knowingly providing supplemental feed attractants in a manner that results in an artificial concentration of game animals that may potentially contribute to the transmission of disease or that constitutes a threat to public safety.