Black bears are popping up more often around Billings this year, especially near the Yellowstone River and along the outskirts of town. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says a shortage of natural food across much of the Rocky Mountain West is likely pushing bears closer to people in search of an easy meal. “Natural bear foods such as chokecherries are extremely limited this year,” FWP said. That means garbage cans, bird feeders, pet food and even a not-so-clean grill can quickly become tempting targets.
And the bear buffet hunt could pick up as fall approaches. Bears will soon enter hyperphagia, the period when they eat intensely to pack on fat before hibernation. “Conflicts could increase in the fall as bears become more desperate in their search for food,” FWP warned. Residents can help by securing garbage until collection day, storing pet and livestock feed indoors, cleaning grills and skipping bird feeders through Dec. 15. Bear sightings or conflicts can be reported to the Billings FWP office at 406-247-2940.
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