FWP Game Warden Bill Koppen puts an evidence tag on the cinnamon-colored black bear hide that was confiscated from landowners on Double Arrow. While they shot the bear on their property and tagged it, it had been getting into their garbage and dog food for more than a week. It was leaving the property when they shot it. Koppen estimated the bear was three to four years old.
SEELEY LAKE - On April 27 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Game Warden Bill Koppen was called to a residence on the Double Arrow Ranch. A bear had been shot after getting into garbage and dog food on the porch of the residence. While the family had a license and tagged the bear, they were still cited, given a $135 fine and the hide and meat were confiscated. Koppen reminds everyone that feeding wildlife is illegal and will cause problems, not only for the wildlife but puts pets and people at risk.
The family had called Koppen after they shot the bear. The bear had been frequenting their property for the previous week and a half. They told Koppen they shot the bear as it was leaving their property. They had a bear license so they tagged the bear and intended to eat it.
"That bear didn't have a chance. You can't shoot a bear over bait. You can't shoot a bear over attractants. When you have a problem like that you need to [contact] the authorities," said Koppen. "Because there were attractants that bear will return for 20-30 days even if they don't find anything."
The family could have been cited for baiting the bear which is a $535 citation and loss of privileges to hunt, fish and trap. Because they called it in, told the truth, turned the bear over and were cooperative, Koppen said the general citation and fine was sufficient.
Discharging a firearm is against the Double Arrow Landowners Owners Association (DARLOA) covenants for all phases defined in Article VIII Section 14. If someone is shooting or hunting on their property, it can be reported to the board and it becomes a civil matter.
It is legal to shoot a black bear on someone's personal property with the proper license and when it is in season. Someone can also shoot a black bear if it is damaging a structure, or threatening livestock or a person. It is illegal to shoot a bear that is eating trash and other attractants on personal property. Property owners should call 1-800-TIP-MONT or Koppen directly, 210-1299 directly to report a problem bear or someone who is feeding wildlife. The caller can remain anonymous.
A grizzly bear can only be killed if it is actively pursuing a person.
Koppen said he won't trap a bear until all attractants are secured. However, if a bear breaks into a secure shed he can have a bear trap on the property in a day or two. Once a bear is trapped it will be tagged and relocated. If it gets in trouble again, Koppen said a black bear is put down. There is a little more tolerance for grizzlies.
Montana Code Annotated states that it is against the law to supply attractants, MCA-87-6-216: A person may not provide supplemental feed attractants to game animals by:
(a) Purposely or knowingly attracting any cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears or mountain lions with supplemental feed attractants; or
(b) After having received a previous warning, negligently failing to properly store attractants.
(c) Providing supplemental feed attractants causing an unnatural concentration of game animals.
This applies to feeding all summer and having salt or mineral blocks out and then removing them a week or two before hunting season.
"I'm going to consider that baiting and I'm going to consider that illegal activity if someone has been feeding all year and then decides to take that big buck or cinnamon bear that comes into their yard," said Koppen. "They are not doing the animals any good. It is domesticating the animals and making them susceptible to [predators]."
Koppen said a bear's sense of smell is 20 times that of a bloodhound and they can roam up to 100 miles. He made several recommendations to secure attractants:
• Attractants include any food items, beverages including Gatorade bottles, soda, beer cans, livestock feed, fruit trees and bird feeders.
• Use bear proof garbage cans. A rock or bungee cord on top of a garbage can is not bear proof and can easily be gotten into.
• Put non-bear proof cans in a cage that is locked with a chain or secure in a shed or trailer.
• Double bagging exceptionally odorous trash will help reduce the smell.
• A fence or rickety shed will not keep bears out.
• An electric fence around garbage or livestock will keep bears out.
• Secure livestock feed, pet food, suet and bird feeders.
• Make sure freezers and refrigerators on porches are chained shut with a heavy chain and locked. Coolers should be kept inside.
• Do not leave doors open to a home or garage. Bears will come searching for food.
• Do not leave food in a vehicle, especially with the windows cracked. A bear can easily break in.
• If using a trash pickup service, bring cans out as close to the pick-up time as possible. Do not leave non-bear proof cans out overnight.
• Grills can also be attractants although not too much of a problem in this area.
• Compost sites have not been an issue in the area but if they contain food scraps it should be contained with an electric fence.
"A fed bear is a dead bear and this town is really good at feeding bears," said Koppen. "These bears are here and are going to be around for a long time. The bottom line is safety for people, their pets and property but I care about the animals too. It's neat to see these animals. The less trouble we get them into the better it is for everyone."
There are a few bear proof containers available at the Seeley Lake Refuse District. Members of the district can check out the containers by stopping at the district during office hours and filling out the necessary paperwork.
Swan Valley Connections also has bear-proof containers for loan or purchase for Swan Valley residents. They have additional bear resources including electric fencing through Swan Valley Bear Resources. Call 754-3137 for more information.
Anyone recreating on the Seeley Lake Ranger District (SLRD) and adjacent Forest and Wilderness areas are required to store their food in a bear resistant manner. In included certified bear resistant containers, the truck or cab of a vehicle with windows completely closed or hung at least 10 feet up and four feet out from the bole of a tree. Visit the SLRD for a full copy of the Forest Food Storage Order.
Call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) to report a problem residence or business. Tips are anonymous and can be eligible for a reward.
For more information visit http://www.missoulabears.org
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