Bear Incidents On The Rise

So far this spring, two separate incidents have resulted in the killing of black bears by local authorities. The first incident occurred on 15 Mile Creek in Western PR County, when a bear was shot by FWP wardens after it killed a 4-H pig.

The second incident occurred over Memorial Day, when a bear was found at Craft's, just west of Broadus near the golf course. The young male bear, shown in the accompanying photo, reportedly was seen around the house, then left and came back. It was then shot by Sheriff's Department officials.

In speaking with local Game Warden Kyle Queer, black bears may be killed when there is a livestock or pet depredation incident or safety factor for humans.

Other reports from within 10 miles of Broadus in June indicate that at least one more bear is likely to be in the area.

Though the open country of Eastern Montana has not traditionally been considered great bear territory, the timbered country in portions of the county is prime bear habitat, with plum and chokecherry thickets for cover and food.

Black bears in the Eastern Plains have steadily increased their range over the last two decades as their territories expanded, with sightings occurring in areas such as Brockway, in the open plains of McCone County. A black bear was also shot by a homeowner in Miles City in 2019. Black bear hunting outfitters in the Bighorn Mountains of Northern Wyoming – where baiting for bears is legal, boast success rates of 75-100% on their bear hunts. Those hunts take place around 100 air miles from Broadus, and Wyoming harvest data from 2021 indicates 81 black bears were killed that year in the Bighorns by hunters.

In the spring of the year, young bears will travel afield as they leave their mothers, and may cover some serious distance when looking for new territory. One study of collared black bears in Northwestern Montana indicated that adult boars (males) had an average home range of around 38 square miles, or roughly the size of a township, though the ranges varied greatly depending on factors such as bear density, age, and quality of habitat.

Ranchers in western Powder River County have dealt with bears biting floats off of water tanks for years, and those living in bear country are encouraged to be cognizant of leaving dog food and bird food out where the furry critters can easily access the food and become habituated to humans.

The hunting quota of 6 bears in region 700 for hunting was reached in late May, with two of those bears killed under the new hound harvest rules. The fall quota is 12 bears.