Tag Archives: hibernation

Montana’s hibernating bears soon up and about

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

It’s that time of year again when hungry bears start to emerge from hibernation . . .

Montana’s hibernating black bears and grizzly bears will soon be stirring.

Adult males usually emerge first from winter dens in mid-March. When bears emerge from their dens they are physically depleted and food is a priority.

Bears are often tempted to go where raccoons and domestic dogs are getting into garbage. If these animals are already causing problems near-by, consider it an early warning that food attractants are available and need to be removed.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ bear experts stress that conflict prevention steps can greatly reduce the chances of attracting black bears and grizzly bears.

Read more . . .

It’s that time again: bears are coming out of hibernation

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Grizzly bears, as well as black bears, are coming out of hibernation and looking for food. “Bear aware” North Forkers will be making sure they have no bear attractants on their property such as smelly trash, bird feeders, animal feed, downed apples and so forth. The Creston area has had several bear incidents already and Glacier Park reports evidence their Grizzlies are stirring. Here are the stgories . . .

Creston seems to be the place for grizzlies this spring – Creston apparently is a hot spot for grizzly bear activity this spring, with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials aware of at least four bears in the area. Continue reading . . .

Glacier Park Officials: Grizzly Bears Emerging From Dens – Grizzly bears are out of their dens and roaming throughout Glacier National Park, according to park officials. Recent observations of bear tracks in the snow indicate bears are emerging from hibernation and looking for food, according to an announcement from park officials. Continue reading . . .

Bears are stirring; don’t invite them to dinner

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Bears are coming out of hibernation, so it’s time for the usual annual reminder about removing bear attractants. Bears will eat darn near anything, especially right now, so anything from old apples on the ground to pet food to poorly secured garbage can attract a large, furry, unwanted visitor. In particular, if you are already getting visits from mid-level scroungers like racoons, skunks and coyotes, you could be setting yourself up for a bear problem.

The Flathead Beacon posted a good write-up on the subject. Also, Montana’s “Bear Aware” site has lots of good information on living with bears.

Grizzly bears emerging from hibernation on Rocky Mountain Front

Environmental Issues, News,

More evidence grizzly bears are getting an early start this year . . .

State wildlife officials say grizzly bears are coming out of hibernation a bit earlier than usual and have been spotted along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Just before the recent snow storm, a Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden a female grizzly with three yearling cubs on the Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area west of Choteau. Another grizzly female with a couple of cubs that are probably two years old was reported west of Dupuyer.

FWP bear management specialist Mike Madel says it’s unusual for family groups to be out in mid-March.

Continue reading . . .

Grizzlies beginning to stir in Yellowstone area

Environmental Issues, News,

It’s that time again. A few grizzly bears are up and about near Yellowstone National Park and we’ll likely see the same around here soon . . .

Reports of grizzly bear sightings at lower elevations east of Yellowstone National Park have begun to trickle in to wildlife officials, and food storage regulations on several national forests went into effect on Thursday.

Continue reading . . .

Bears on the move in Glacier National Park

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

It’s that time again. The bears are starting to get up and moving. The folks in Glacier National Park are seeing fresh tracks . . .

Recent observations of bear tracks in the snow indicate bears are emerging from hibernation and venturing out looking for food in and around Glacier National Park. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright remarked, “Bear tracks in the snow are a good reminder that Glacier National Park is bear country and park visitors need to be alert for bear activity and to be familiar with and comply with safety regulations.”

Continue reading . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks releases spring bear report

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It’s that time of year again. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released their spring bear report to various media outlets Friday, encouraging people to get ready for hungry bears emerging from hibernation . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear managers meet every year in mid-March to prepare for the state’s bears to emerge from hibernation. About the same time, male grizzly bears are already stirring and that is why April 1st is the target date FWP bear managers recommend for bringing in winter bird feeders and seed, cleaning yards and collecting and disposing of bear attractants that have accumulated over winter.

NORTHWESTERN MONTANA
Tim Manley, FWP Region 1 grizzly bear specialist, said it is especially important for residents to clean up around their homes early in April. In recent years, deep mountain snowpack and heavy spring snowfall have pushed bears into the valley bottoms earlier in the season and for longer than usual.

“On the east side of the Flathead Valley during 2010, we had 18 grizzly bears we knew spent much of April and the first half of May in the valley . . .”

Continue reading . . .

Bear activity rises as temperatures fall

Environmental Issues, News, , , , ,

The Flathead Beacon has a nice overview of all the late-season bear activity — not to mention a handy one-sentence definition of “hyperphagia” . . .

As the weather begins to cool for fall’s arrival, Flathead Valley residents may notice a heightened amount of bear activity in the lower basins as the animals continue packing away calories before hibernation.

Read the full article . . .