Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Sun River Watershed Group, and Bighorn Outdoor Specialists staff will host an event in June to offer training and hands-on practice with inert bear spray and share tips for being safe in bear country while camping and recreating.
The free workshop will be held Wednesday, June 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Bighorn Outdoor Specialists, 206 5th Street South in Great Falls.
FWP staff will discuss safety practices for bear country, bear biology and how to handle bear encounters. They will also provide in-depth training on how to carry and use bear spray. This event is family friendly, and everyone is welcome; a food truck will also be present for those wishing to buy a meal. Attendees should also bring a camp chair to sit in.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice using inert bear spray in a simulated charging bear demonstration, weather permitting. Please leave any personal bear spray at home.
Montana is bear country. Avoiding conflicts with bears is far better than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions recreationists can take to avoid negative bear encounters:
Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and be prepared to use it immediately.
Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
Make noise, especially near streams or in thick vegetation where hearing and visibility are impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present.
Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
Keep attractants secured and follow all food storage regulations.
Do not approach a bear.
This content is sourced from
Montana Fish Wildlife parks
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