Tips sought on black bear cub shot west of Stevensville

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a black bear cub that was shot and left to waste on U.S. Forest Service land west of Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley. The incident took place near Silverthorn Creek off the St. Mary Peak Road.The black bear cub was found on Sunday, Nov. 23, and is believed to have been killed between Nov. 20 and Nov. 22, 2025. A FWP biologist confirmed it was a young-of-the-year black bear cub. It is unlawful to harvest black bear cubs, defined as a bear less than one year old. It is also unlawful to harvest a female bear with cubs.FWP game wardens say that wildlife crimes like this one are often solved because of leads from the public and encourage anyone with information to make a report. Anyone with possible tips on this incident is encouraged to contact Bitterroot area game warden Shane Yaskus at 406-240-0764.You can also visit tipmont.mt.gov for more information on reporting natural resource crimes and who to contact in your local area. You may be eligible for a reward. Source: FWP Photo: Pixabay