Friday, October 16, 2015

News About Bears: My List of Fabulous Finds (Week 18)

What have your newspaper headlines been this month? 

In our Montana news, there has been a lot of articles about bears

While some of this week's "finds" may be more interesting than fabulous, I thought I'd give you a little glimpse into life in Montana.


Today's List of Fabulous Finds is all about bears! 
Three articles about bears in less than 10 days

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This Week's Fabulous Finds:


~ ~ Bear Road-Kill

The Helena Independent Record ran a story on its October 12th front page about "bear road-kill." An unusually high number of bears have been killed by cars in Western Montana this month. A scarcity of food in the mountains has driven wildlife closer to civilization this year. I would really, really not want to hit one with my car! You can read the story here:


~ ~ Speedy Speed Limits

Most of our Interstate highway speed limits have just been increased from 75 mph to 80 mph. I am not sure if any of the previously mentioned bears were killed in areas where the speed limit is now 80 mph, but I can't help but wonder if it was a factor in any of their deaths.  Like everyone else, I like being able to get where I am going just a little bit faster, but the amount of distance it takes to bring a car to a stop does increase with higher speeds.


~ ~ Hunter wakes up to a Bear

On October 8th, our paper ran a story about a hunter in Idaho who woke up and realized a black bear was biting his head! It appears it is not just Montana bears who are having increased contact with humans this year! It's quite a story - you can read it here:

~ ~ Use Caution When Hiking and Camping in Bear Country

A couple of weeks ago a hiker in Glacier National Park was grabbed by a bear, but he managed to deploy his can of bear spray and get away.  This article has the story, and some good advice for anyone hiking where bears are prevalent.


~ ~ This Bear May Have Been Looking for a High School Diploma 

A bear found his way into a high school in Bozeman on Wednesday morning, and took a look around! Read about the incident and watch the video here:



Video by Leon Uebelhoer, foreign exchange student from Germany
Posted by KBZK TV on Wednesday, October 14, 2015


~ ~ Schools and Bears

Bears (sort of) are frequently mentioned in the sports pages of our newspapers - whenever the University of Montana State Grizzlies and the Capital High School Bruins play!


~ ~ The Bears Were Here First

It is a little too close for comfort to have a bear in front of our moving vehicles, or within the halls of a high school, but most people here are happy to catch a (safe) glimpse of one in the wild. In fact, an agreement was just appoved this week by a Federal judge to protect more than 22,000 acres of grizzly bear habitat.


~ ~ Wildlife out my front door

 So far this year, I haven't seen any signs of bears around our house - but there certainly have been lots of deer. They have no fear. This photo shows how close they let me get to them wih my car, without them looking the least bit flustered.


Look how close I got to these deer - no fear!

Deer are not the only wild animals that visit us though. There are definitely bear in the area. One year we found bear scat just 15 feet from our front door, and one summer a black bear wandered by not too far from our house in the middle of the day.


~ ~ A Message from the Bears

A bear's perspective ...  This photo was posted by a friend on Facebook and showed up in my Facebook feed today:


Tourists and bears in Montana are an interesting combination

Have you ever seen a bear?
Does your newspaper have front-page headlines about bear? 
Are there bears in your neighborhood?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

10 comments :

  1. Oh my! I can't imagine running into a bear; in my car or otherwise!

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    1. I know. The one in the school video actually looks pretty cute - but looks can be deceiving!

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  2. We don't have too many bear sightings where I live - and certainly no grizzlies! Love the deer in your front yard. Have a great weekend Susan!

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    1. I am a week late responding to this comment - but hope last weekend was good for you too, Lana - and that this one will be as well. Thinking of you and your communtity today.

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  3. We really are hard on the wildlife the world over aren't we?
    I agree that the bears were there first, and love that they are being given some of their land back.
    Love that final photo too!

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    1. It is just best when we ALL find a way to co-exist!

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  4. It's funny I should read this today since I am getting ready to go camping in the Appalachian Mtns. for the next five days! No worries we're leaving the rotisserie chicken at home this time! I am hoping to at least spot one this trip!

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    1. I can't wait to hear about your trip Rena - I hope you will write about it. Knowing you, I am sure there will be some story-worthy material!

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  5. Wow! We've also had reports of bears coming out of the woods here in New York looking to bulk up for winter in our area but they're black bears! No grizzlies here. :) We've had some black bears in our neighborhood - they love the birdfeeders. :)

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    1. It seems it was a hard year for animals everywhere. And yes - they do love bird feeders!

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