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.

Wild Nature of Bears

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.

Wildlife Safety Tips

Smart Habits to Keep Your Property Safe from Bears

Living close to nature is a privilege, but it also comes with responsibility. Following a few simple habits can help keep your home, family, and local wildlife safe—especially in bear-prone areas. These tips reduce the risk of attracting bears and encourage peaceful coexistence with the environment.

  •  Secure Waste & Food Sources
    Store garbage in a bear-resistant cart and keep waste, pet food, and compost indoors or in locked structures until pickup.
    Rent a dumpster now
  • Manage Outdoor Attractions
    Remove hanging bird feeders between April and November, pick up fallen fruit, and clean grills when not in use.
  • Protect Small Animals & Crops
    Use electric fencing to secure chickens, bee hives, and other small livestock from potential wildlife encounters.
Living responsibly in bear country

Help Protect Wildlife and Future Generations

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.

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Keep Montana wild and help protect yourself and wildlife for future generations.

Eduational Information:

Living in Bear Country (PDF)Be Bear AwareGet Bear Smart

To Report Bears on Your Property:

Northern Flathead and Lincoln County:
Justine Vallieres
(406) 250-1265

Southern Flathead County:
Erik Wenum
(406) 250-0062
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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)

To Anonymously Report a Bear Sighting:

https://MissoulaBears.org/report/
MCA 67-6-216

Unlawful supplemental feeding

(1) A person may not provide supplemental feed attractants to game animals by:

  • purposely or knowingly attracting any cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears, or mountain lions with supplemental feed attractants;
  • 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
  • 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.