Bear tracks and hair samples collected in the North Moccasin Mountains confirm the presence of a grizzly bear in the area 15 miles north of Lewistown, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks officials said.

“Bear tracks from the west side of the mountain range were reported to FWP on April 29,” the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks news release states. “An FWP grizzly bear management specialist visited the location on Saturday, April 30, and confirmed the 6 ¼-inch-wide tracks were made by a grizzly bear.

“After tracks confirmed the species of the bear, FWP spoke with neighboring property owners to notify them of the bear’s presence, identify any potential conflicts, and search for additional grizzly sign. Hair collected from a barbed wire fence along a riparian area nearby was also identified as belonging to a grizzly.”  

This is the first confirmation of a grizzly bear in the North Moccasin Mountains in close to a century. 

“Having a grizzly bear in this area is not surprising after what we’ve seen the last few years in terms of bears moving further east into central Montana,” said FWP regional supervisor Gary Bertellotti.

In May 2021 a grizzly bear was confirmed to have killed cattle in the Big Snowy Mountains south of Lewistown. The 447-pound male bear had been photographed eating a dead cow in late April 2021 by a remote camera set up by a landowner. Traps for the grizzly were set after a second cow carcass was discovered, and wildlife officials found evidence the bear had killed both cows. The four- to six-year-old bear was later trapped and euthanized.

A trail camera photo of a grizzly bear was reported to have been taken in the North Moccasin Mountains in early April this year, although FWP was not able to identify the owner of the photograph to investigate the report. FWP officials are encouraging central Montana area residents to consider implementing the same "Bear Aware" precautions commonly practiced in other parts of Montana such as carrying bear spray while working and recreating and practicing conflict prevention techniques such as removing livestock carcasses and open grain sources and installing electric fencing around potential attractants.

The FWP news release states that bear management specialists are working with Lewistown area landowners to identify and secure potential human-related food sources, install trail cameras on likely travel routes and food sources, and to discuss safety for farming and ranching in the area. Bear spray was given to all landowners contacted by FWP.

Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and final authority regarding management actions are up to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

If you see a bear or bear sign near your residence or need to report a conflict, please call your local bear specialist at the contact number found on FWP’s website: fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/contact.

“Bear activity is increasing across the state,” FWP warns. “Farmers, ranchers, homeowners and outdoor recreationists should be prepared to encounter bears anywhere in western Montana as their population and range continues to expand. Here are some general tips to avoid conflicts in agricultural areas: 

For more information on living, working and recreating in Montana’s bear country, visit the FWP Bear Aware website at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware.