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2003 Locations of Bear Conflicts
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Since the mid 1950s, black bears have found unnatural food sources in the Rattlesnake. They found so much food that they decided to live there all season long; knocking over garbage cans and BBQs, tearing down bird feeders and fruit trees, and trying to break into cars. We have to reduce the number of habituated bears in the area before someone
gets hurt. As bears become more and more habituated, they will become
bolder. This type of bear is a safety risk. In 2003, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks received over 1000 phone calls with bear complaints. Three bears were destroyed and fifteen relocated out of the valley. It is estimated that thirty bears live in the Rattlesnake Valley, from the National Recreation Area to the Clark Fork River, all year long. Of these thirty bears, half are food conditioned. The Rattlesnake Bear Task Force is sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife and is partnered with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), BFI, Brown Bear Resources and the Great Bear Foundation. Together we have chosen a proactive approach to this problem. Our goal is to increase local awareness by disseminating information and assisting neighbors. Not only is this plan intended to reduce conflicts with wildlife, it will also:
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