Stay safe while hunting and fishing in bear country. Be prepared and be aware. Always carry bear spray and have it accessible.
Anglers: Avoid a conflict
Do not clean fish in camp.
Pop the air bladder and dispose of fish entrails in the stream or lake. Do not clean fish on picnic tables.
Hunters: Stay safe afield
Pack meat out as soon as possible.
Avoid cutting up a carcass at dusk or at night. If you kill an animal at dusk, be prepared to cut up the 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, especially along waterways. Grizzly bears use thick cover for day beds. 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.
FWP has created a Bear Aware Playbook that outlines even more safety tips for outdoor activities.
This content is sourced from
Montana Fish Wildlife parks
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
