Bear tracks reported at Glacier National Park, visitors reminded to be cautious
Looks like Yellowstone isn’t the only place where Montana’s bears are emerging from their winter dens. In a press release issued on Tuesday morning, Glacier National Park announced that bear tracks and a freshly dug hole were reported in the park. Evidence suggests that some of Glacier’s grizzly and black bears may be waking from hibernation and emerging from their dens in search of food.
The release stated that three separate sightings of bear tracks have been report. A park ranger witnessed tracks and a large hole dug in the snow in the Belly River area. The Belly River Valley is approximately 15 miles east of Columbia Falls on Highway 2 along Glacier’s southern border.
Tracks were also reported by visitors near Many Glacier and Lake McDonald.
“With these early March reports of bear activity, park visitors are reminded to be alert for bear activity and to be familiar with and comply with safety regulations,” said Glacier National Park superintendent Chas Cartwright.
The Park Service recommends that early-season visitors to Glacier travel in groups and make loud noises at regular intervals to alert bears to their presence. Wildlife should not be approached.
Additionally, food, garbage and other attractants must be stored in hard-side vehicles or bear-proof containers. Rubbish must be disposed of in the bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters found in the park.
Bears that become accustom to eating human food often cause problems. By disposing of waste properly, visitors can keep themselves and bears safe.
“It is important to note that Glacier National Park is in the heart of grizzly country,” Cartwright said. “That is one of the reasons many people visit the park each year. We encourage park visitors to carry, and know how to properly use, bear pepper spray as a deterrent for a charging grizzly bear.”
Effective Feb. 22, 2010, a new federal law allows the carrying of firearms within the borders of national parks and wildlife refuges with respect to state laws. However, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Glacier National Park is encouraging the use of firearms to prevent bear attacks as a last resort.
“If you are armed, use a firearm only as a last resort,” FWP said in a statement. “Wounding a bear, even with a large caliber gun, can put you in far greater danger.”
Bear spray has proven a more effective deterrent.
“According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigations of human-bear encounters since 1992, persons encountering grizzlies and defending themselves with firearms suffered injury about 50 percent of the time,” GNP said in the release. “During the same period, persons defending themselves with pepper spray escaped injury most of the time and those that were injured experienced shorter duration attacks and less severe injuries.”
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