Grizzly Relocated From an Area Near Fatal Ovando Montana Mauling
With what happened earlier this summer still on peoples' minds, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has taken proactive measures to relocate a grizzly bear.
FWP reports that officials recently captured a grizzly bear in the Ovando area and relocated her to the north side of the Rattlesnake Wilderness. The bear was captured after it repeatedly returned to an abandoned shed in search of grain and horse food. It was a 211-pound female grizzly that did not have a prior history of conflicts. Hopefully she didn't get too conditioned to potential food sources and try to work her way back.
In early July, a woman was attacked and killed by a grizzly while she was in her tent during a camping outing in Ovando. That bear was tracked down a few days later and shot and killed, demonstrating very aggressive behavior toward FWP officials.
With a change in seasons approaching, encounters are likely to become more frequent. In fall, bears are increasingly active in preparation for long stays in their winter dens. Many conflicts involve bears getting into livestock feed and unsecured garbage as they search for food. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialists spend a fair amount of time working with landowners and communities to help avoid bear conflicts.
We are in bear country, folks, with populations of both grizzly and black bears that frequent no only higher but lower elevations, especially river corridors. Preventing a conflict is easier than dealing with one.
Besides carrying an effective bear spray and knowing how to use it, never feed wildlife, especially bears. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose a threat to human safety. And besides, it is illegal to feed bears in Montana!
With hunting seasons opening up in Montana, we wish you success and by all means, stay safe!