Euthanized griz was well-traveled bear across northwest Montana

A young, male grizzly bear that was euthanized last week after a series of human encounters in the West Fisher and Silver Butte area south of Libby was a well traveled bruin before meeting its demise.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Information and Education Outreach Specialist Dillon Tabish, the grizzly, estimated to be about two years old, was collared by officials in April 2024 after its mother broke into a chicken coop in the Ferndale area in Flathead County.

The bear, its sibling, a female cub, and the sow grizzly were captured and GPS tracking collars were placed on them. The three bears were then moved east into the South Fork region of the Spotted Bear Ranger District.

But the bears returned to the Ferndale area. The male that was euthanized first headed toward Marion while the sow and female cub remained in the Ferndale area.

The young male then made its way across the Flathead Valley without known conflicts and was spotted on a game camera near Marion in July, according to an email from Tabish. It then ventured across Bear Management Unit 103, into the Yaak briefly, then back to the West Fisher. 

According to a news release from FWP, wildlife specialists received reports of the bear breaking into chicken coops, greenhouses and storage sheds on residential properties near Barren Peak Road off U.S. 2. There were also reports of the bear going onto porches of homes.

According to Tabish, one coop was electrified by the homeowner prior to the bear’s arrival, but not sufficiently. This home lost 13 chickens over two nights. The common attractants involved were chickens, chicken feed, fruit, vegetables, birdseed and grain. 

The bear gained access into several hard-sided structures by ripping doors off of hinges or collapsing siding and doors. At multiple properties, he collapsed chainlink gates and fencing. He punctured multiple buildings with metal siding, but did not gain access. 

The bear did not kill any livestock. Montana does not classify chickens as livestock. Bees, horses and cattle all occupied properties frequented by the bear and they remained untouched. 

The male bear was exhibiting bold behavior that indicates it was conditioned to unnatural food sources. This is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns, as bears actively pursue food and other attractants in and around homes, ranches and other occupied areas instead of returning to natural food sources.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized removal of the bear and the bear was trapped and euthanized by FWP staff on private property just west of U.S. 2, south of Libby. Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the USFWS has final authority regarding management actions.

The bear’s presence and behavior incited some residents of the West Fisher and Silver Butte areas to claim the grizzly was a transplant, was wounded before it was euthanized and was a problem bear.

Last year, there were 13 grizzly mortalities in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.  

Roughly 1,200 bears inhabit the 6.5-million-acre ecosystem, according to the state wildlife agency. It is one of two grizzly populations in the state, the other in the greater Yellowstone area.

FWP reminded that people can help reduce the risk of bear conflicts by using electric fencing around small livestock. Pet and livestock food, garbage, barbecue grills and bird feeders can also all be attractants and should be secured to help prevent bear conflicts. 

FWP and USFWS specialists work to help landowners and communities avoid bear conflicts. If you see a bear or sign near your residence that may result in a conflict, call your local bear specialist at the contact number found on FWP’s website: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/contact.

People are asked to report bear conflicts immediately to FWP or tribal wildlife management agency. Addressing initial conflicts promptly can help avoid bears from becoming food conditioned or habituated.

In northwest Montana, contact:

- North portion of Flathead County and Eureka area - Justine Vallieres, 406-250-1265

- South portion of Flathead County - Erik Wenum, 406-250-0062

- Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem and Sanders County – Garrett Tovey, 406-291-1320

- Flathead Indian Reservation - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wildlife Management Program, 406-275-2774

- For more information on living, working, and recreating in Montana’s bear country, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.