Be Bear Friendly

Bears have always been a natural part of Rock Creek.  Black bears roam the entire Rock Creek drainage.  It's not unusual for bears to frequent the valley floor, especially in the fall.  At that time, they are bulking up for the winter, and drawn to the valley's abundance of berries, fruits and other attractions.

Whether you are a resident or visitor, it's important to be bear aware both for your safety, and the safety of the bears.

Here is how Fish, Wildlife and Parks suggests you be bear friendly: 

Being bear-friendly in Montana is a commitment. It may mean sacrificing the opportunity to see a bear or take pictures of it—for the welfare of the bear. It means taking steps to prevent bears from finding sources of food on your property or when you are out camping.
Once a bear is food-trained, it is often impossible to un-train them. That is why biologists so often say a fed bear is a dead bear.
Your vigilance in keeping your residence and outdoor camps "Bear Friendly" can make all the difference in helping keep Montana's grizzly and black bears wild and free.
"Bear Friendly" means allowing every bear to retain its wild and free nature.

Bear Safety For Residents

Here are some some ways Rock Creek residents can be bear aware and bear friendly:

Tips for Residents

  • Salt licks, deer blocks and grain attract wild animals with the potential for concentrated animal scent that can draw in bears and mountain lions.
  • Use native plant landscaping whenever possible. Be aware that a watered lawn with lush grass, clover, and dandelions is an attractive feeding site for bears.
  • Close all windows when not at home or when cooking.
  • Talk to your children about bears and how to avoid them.
  • Never approach a bear in your yard; always give bears an escape route; and, never crowd or harass a bear.
  • Have a plan in case a bear comes inside your home and keep bear pepper spray handy. 

Wildlife Attractants

Here are some common wildlife attractants, and tips to mitigate problems.

  • Garbage cans.  If stored inside, doors should be kept closed.  If stored outdoors, cans should be stored in an enclosure.  If possible, put the cans out the morning of pickup, versus the night before.  Note that bear proof roller bins are available from Republic Services for a fee. 
  • Bird feeders.  Bird feeders attract bears.  Bird feeders that are located out of a bear's reach (e.g. on a high pole) tend to be better than feeders on a porch, which draw bears to the house.  Cleaning up spilled seed is advised.  Consider letting feeders go inactive and empty when bear activity is likely.
  • Pet and livestock food.  If stored outdoors, it should be kept in an bear-proof container.  Avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
  • Gardens and fruit trees.  Fencing a garden or fruit trees can help keep out bear and deer.  Consider harvesting fruit from trees before bears do it for you.  Harvest carrots before September 15th.  Avoid blood meal and fish fertilizer.
  • Beehives.  Bears naturally love honey.  Electric fences are a defense against bears.  Putting hives on a platform, and using metal posts to support the platform, are also effective ways to secure your hives.
  • Compost piles. Electric fences help keep bears out of compost piles.

Other wildlife attractants to consider:

  • BBQ grill (clean after use and ideally store in a secure building between uses)
  • Crystal lyx
  • Carcass (e.g. dead cow or deer)
  • Open doors
  • Chicken coop
  • Berry bushes, both domestic and wild
  • Squirrel feeders
  • Hot tub covers (some bears are very curious about hot tubs)
  • Grain fallen between the walls of old barns or sheds
  • Motor oil or other petroleum based products
  • Nearby rotting stumps 
  • Foam rubber

If a bear gets in your house

If a bear gets in your house, give it an escape route by propping all doors open with something heavy that will act as a doorstop.

Remember that once a bear has your food, it's the bear's food and the bear may fiercly defend its newfound bounty.

The best strategy is to exit the house with your loved ones as quickly as possible, without confronting the bear, and get to a safe place.  Once you are safe, if the bear remains in your house, call the sheriff for help.  If anyone is in danger, call 911 immediately.

Pepper spray is widely believed to be the best defense against bears.  Shooting a bear may only enrage it.  This might make a bad situation worse, most certainly for the bear.

Camping and Hiking in Bear Country

Encountering a Bear

Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear. But if you do, here's some simple advice: 

  • Do not run.
  • Remain calm.
  • Group together and pick up small children.
  • Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
  • If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
  • Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.

Find out more on what to do at FW&P's Encountering a Bear page.

Camping & Food Storage

  • Do not feed bears or other wildlife.
  • Keep a clean camp site.
  • Do not store food or any scented items in a tent, including clothing with food residues.
  • Do not leave food unattended at a campsite or in your vehicle.
  • Use bear-resistant food lockers and dumpsters where provided or bring your own.
  • Clean utensils and food prep area thoroughly after cooking.
  • At an undeveloped camping location, cook and store food away from sleeping area.

Bear Attractants

Everyone in bear country must do their part to store food and other attractants in bear-resistant containers at all times.  Besides food, attractants include:

  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Soap
  • Cooking utensils
  • Empty cans
  • Wrappers
  • Coolers
  • Pet food
  • Bird seed
  • Garbage
  • Petroleum products (including fuel) 

If a bear-resistant container isn't available at the campground, store in the most secure portion of your vehicle, or bring bear-resistant containers.  Note that convertibles and cloth-top jeeps aren't secure from bears.

Never store garbage at your camp site.  Please dispose of trash in bear-resistant dumpsters.

Bear Species On Rock Creek

Rock Creek bears are almost exclusively black bears.

However, while grizzly bears haven't been reported on the valley floor, biologists have tracked grizzly bears on the remote ridges above Rock Creek.  Therefore, if you are hiking or hunting high up in the Welcome Creek Wilderness or someplace equally remote, there is a very slight chance you will encounter a grizzly bear.

Additional Bear Resources

Emergencies

Call 911 in an emergency

Montana FW&P - Bear Page

Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park's Bear page to learn more about Montana bears, and how to be bear friendly and bear safe:

Wildlife Management Specialist

For local bear information and resources, or to report a bear issue in the Rock Creek or greater Missoula area, contact:

James Jonkel
Wildlife Management Specialist
Grizzly Bear and Black Bear Management

  • Mailing address:   Spurgin Rd.
    Missoula, MT 59804
  • Phone:  406.542.5500
  • Email:  JaJonkel@mt.gov

Missoula Bears

Missoula Bears is an informational resource for residents living with wildlife in the valleys around Missoula including the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, upper Clark Fork, lower Clark Fork and Mission valleys. 

Visit their Updates page for current local bear information.  This page is updates as frequently as monthly, and is a good resource for understanding bear activity in your area.