Black bear euthanized after repeated conflicts at Hungry Horse Reservoir campgrounds

FWP wildlife specialists received reports of a black bear getting into unsecured food attractants at the Flathead National Forest’s Emery Bay Campground and Goose Head dispersed camping site, also known as FK & L, on the north end of the reservoir. The bear was reportedly hanging around the campgrounds seeking food sources, and conflicts included breaking a window of a vehicle to access a cooler and getting into a tent at Emery Bay. A camper was cited for disobeying the Flathead National Forest food storage order by improperly storing a food attractant.

FWP set traps July 4 and the Hungry Horse Ranger District closed the camping sites. FWP captured the male bear on July 8 and euthanized it due to food conditioning. The Hungry Horse Ranger District has lifted the area closure order.

Food-conditioned and habituated bears are those that have sought and obtained unnatural foods, destroyed property or displayed aggressive, non-defensive behavior towards humans. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior. Food-conditioned and habituated bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.

Montana is bear country. Campers should “Be Bear Aware” and secure food attractants.

• Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.
• Dispose of garbage in bear resistant bins; otherwise, take it with you and dispose of it properly elsewhere. Do not bury or burn garbage.
• Follow local land management agency food storage orders and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent.
• Learn more at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear

Please report bear conflicts immediately to FWP or your 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