Western Montana people are meeting up with bears more frequently every year. Black bears have even been on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. Meanwhile, Grizzly bears are expanding their territory along the Front Range of the Rockies and along the Sapphire Mountains in the Bitterroot.

Just last week, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) killed a grizzly bear west of Great Falls. The bear was responsible for killing four calves. Grizzlies have been becoming more numerous since being listed and protected under the Endangered Species Act. Montana FWP had to get permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before shooting the grizzly.

But mostly in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys, people will be meeting black bears (which are also brown) on the trails and backcountry roads. The people who live in the WUI - the Wildland-Urban Interface - need to take extra precautions to keep bears out of their property.

FWP annually reminds people to:

By the way, bear spray works, but know how to use it. And if you need more information, check the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website.