Bear Safety Presentation Highlights Precautions for Hikers [Video]

GREAT FALLS — As warmer weather encourages outdoor enthusiasts to explore Montana’s trails, encounters with wildlife, particularly bears, become more likely.

Bear safety stressed in Montana

Jack Austin, a Bear Conflict Technician with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), recently offered insights on bear management and safety.

Educating the Public on Bear Safety

Austin hosted a public presentation focused on bear safety, highlighting key topics such as bear identification, conflict prevention, and safety protocols.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing the difference between black bears and grizzly bears, understanding bear behavior, and knowing how to stay safe in bear country.

“We give at least a dozen of these presentations every year to educate the public on how to stay safe around grizzly bears and to manage conflicts,” Austin said. He also discussed the critical issue of bears learning problematic behaviors from their mothers, which can lead to increased conflicts with humans.

Key Bear Safety Tips

Austin recommended several straightforward measures to enhance safety during outdoor …