Be bear aware while hunting

A bowhunter needs to be sneaky, with “no-scent” on, and camouflaged to look like a bush. While that’s what it takes to get close enough for a good shot with a bow and arrow, that hunter is making it hard for a bear to notice him or her.

A bear’s usual early warning systems of sight, sound and smell can be scrambled by bowhunters, resulting in surprising encounters.

In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and these bears are recolonizing some historic ranges. Grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and the Yellowstone ecosystem, and black bears range widely across Montana.

With Montana’s bowhunting season almost underway, it is a good time to review the basics of hunting safety in bear country. Deer and elk archery season begins Sept. 7.

Here are some guidelines for archery hunters hunting in bear country:

- Be prepared to see a bear. Mentally rehearse handling different scenarios with bears so you are better prepared.

- Hunt with a partner. If you hunt alone, let someone know your detailed plans and have a way to periodically check in.

- Always carry and know how to use bear pepper spray.

- Bow hunters who harvest a deer or elk need to plan to quickly get the carcass out of the woods.

- Carcasses left in the woods require special precautions. Carry a colored, lightweight tarp or space blanket. Put the guts on the tarp and drag them as far away from the carcass as possible. Then use the tarp to cover the carcass. This will reduce the scent trail from the guts to the carcass.

- When you return, study the site from a safe distance for any movement or changes. When you finally approach, yell and make noises.

- Do not attempt to frighten or haze bears away from a carcass.

If, in spite of these precautions, a bear is found at the site eating the carcass, or a bear has covered the carcass with debris and it is not salvageable, hunters should immediately report the incident to FWP.

They can contact a local warden or the nearest FWP regional office to provide a detailed description of the location and situation.