Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials identified 10 bears in the brush near Pendroy, Montana, one day after a local resident captured video footage of seven bears on her property. The incident, which occurred southeast of Great Falls, has prompted renewed warnings from wildlife managers regarding the importance of securing livestock and attractants in bear country.
How the Bear Encounter Unfolded
The encounter began late at night when Diane Collins, a local resident, noticed her dog acting aggressively. According to Collins, her husband investigated the yard, initially suspecting a smaller predator like a skunk or coyote. Instead, they discovered seven bears gathered on the property.
The situation escalated the following morning when Montana FWP personnel arrived to survey the area. They located an additional three bears in the nearby brush, bringing the total count to 10. Collins noted that the animals appeared unbothered by human presence, showing little urgency to leave the site.
Bears are often difficult to spot when resting. Diane Collins warns that bears can lie so flat against the ground that they become nearly invisible to the untrained eye, making situational awareness critical for those working in rural fields.
Why Securing Attractants Reduces Conflict
Montana FWP maintains that the most effective way to prevent bear-human conflict is to eliminate potential food sources on private land. The agency explicitly advises against leaving pet food or livestock feed accessible to wildlife.
For agricultural operators, the agency recommends several mitigation strategies:
- Electric Fencing: Installing high-tensile electric fencing around barns and livestock enclosures.
- Feed Management: Promptly cleaning up grain spills and storing feed in bear-resistant containers.
- Proactive Storage: Keeping vulnerable animals in secure, enclosed structures during the night.
Collins has already begun implementing these measures, noting that she now secures her sheep in a barn nightly and is currently constructing an electric fence to bolster her property’s defenses.
Future Trends in Bear Management
As human development continues to expand into historically wild habitats, the frequency of “backyard” bear sightings is expected to remain a significant point of concern for state agencies. Wildlife experts emphasize that “bear awareness” is no longer just a requirement for hikers in the backcountry; it is an essential skill for rural landowners.
The shift toward permanent, rather than temporary, deterrents—such as fixed electric fencing—reflects a broader trend in wildlife cohabitation. According to Montana FWP, these proactive investments are the primary method for protecting both personal property and the bears themselves, as bears that become habituated to human food sources often face lethal removal by wildlife managers.
If you live in bear country, treat your entire property as a potential attractant. Even if you don’t keep livestock, unsecured trash, bird feeders, and fruit trees can draw bears into your immediate living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I see multiple bears on my property?
Do not approach the animals. Maintain a safe distance, secure your pets, and contact your local Montana FWP office to report the sighting, especially if the bears are showing no fear of humans.
Is it common for 10 bears to be in one place?
While bears are generally solitary, they may congregate in areas where a high-density food source is present. Montana FWP cautions that seeing a large group often indicates the presence of an attractant that needs to be removed.
How effective is electric fencing?
When installed and maintained correctly, electric fencing is considered the industry standard for deterring bears from livestock and grain stores, according to agency guidelines.
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