Brett French reports: Grizzly bear photographed in Missouri Breaks

A grizzly bear, possibly an adult male, was photographed by a game camera in the Missouri Breaks in mid-October. The camera was placed on American Prairie’s PN Ranch, which is located near where the Judith River joins the Missouri. Although grizzlies have been making pushes eastward for more than a decade, this is the farthest east one has been photographed. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has identified grizzly tracks even farther east, near the community of Winifred. As grizzlies seek new territory, FWP has stepped up its education efforts in eastern Montana. Workshops have taught people how to store attractants and to carry bear spray. So far, this grizzly has avoided causing problems with humans. Given the large swath of public land along the Missouri River in central Montana, it’s possible it will have all of the food resources it needs to continue avoiding interactions. For more on the photo, and other recent migrations, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/grizzly-migration-american-prairie-reserve-wildlife/article_1b33b708-83f6-11ee-ae52-071786a22cee.html

Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette