Web exclusive: Tips on selecting bear spray and living with bears

Bear Spray must be clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears" according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's Web site. Purchase products that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency's Bear Deterrent Web site lists registered bear pepper spray manufacturers.

No deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray has demonstrated the most success in fending off threatening and attacking bears and preventing injury to the person and animal involved, bear experts say.

For more information on living with bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' online at fwp.mt.gov on the Wild Things page and click Living With Wildlife.

Always report encounters with grizzly bears where the bear is aggressive or displays defensive behaviors toward people, livestock or pets by contacting FWP at 1-800-TIP-MONT, or by directly contacting a FWP bear management specialist nearest the area where the bear is seen:

• Mike Madel, Choteau, 406-466-5100

• Tim Manley, Kalispell, 406-751-4584

• Kevin Frey, Bozeman, 406-994-3553

• James Jonkel, Missoula, 406-542-5508

• Kim Annis, Libby, 406-293-4161, ext. 107

For more on recreating safely in bear country, see the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Education page.