Karl Puckett

kpuckett@greatfallstribune.com

Grizzly bears have made their way into the Sweet Grass Hills in Toole and Liberty counties after being absent from the landmark for decades, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“We believe there are at least two bears in the Hills,” said Mike Madel, bear management specialist with Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

FWP officials said residents and recreationists of the Sweet Grass Hills should to aware bears are in the area after a couple of sightings of grizzly bears recently.

The Sweet Grass Hills are a prominent landmark consisting of three distinct butte complexes that stand high above the grassy hills between the community of Chester and the Canadian border.

It’s native grizzly bear habitat, but they have not been in that area for decades, Madel said.

“This is a pretty big deal,” Auchly said.

FWP believes that two grizzly bears preyed on 13 sheep at a ranch last week, Auchly said.

Traps were set to try to catch the grizzlies but they were not captured.

Grizzly bears along the Rocky Mountain Front west of the Sweet Grass Hills have been expanding their ranges out onto the open prairies to the east for the past several years.

Madel said he’s not sure where the bears came from. They could be sub-adults seen last year in the Hills or even bears that came down the Milk River from Canada.

“And it’s possible there are other bears in the area,” Madel said. “There are lots of coulees around the Hills, and this time of year they provide shade and chokecherries.”

Residents and recreationists of the area should be mindful that bears could be present and take necessary precautions including securing livestock feed, pet food, garbage and barbecues. Hunters are advised to carry bear spray, FWP said.

In addition, FWP offers assistance to livestock operators such as electric fencing.

“Permanent electric fencing around sheep bedding grounds can prevent additional sheep depredations,” Madel said.

The bears were sighted between West Butte and Middle Butte, sometimes called Gold Butte.

Anyone seeing a grizzly in the Sweet Grass Hills is urged to contact Madel, 406-788-4755, or 1-800-TIPMONT.

Follow Karl Puckett on Twitter @GFTrib_KPuckett