Head on a swivel in grizzly country.
Montana is home to approximately 2,100 grizzly bears, making it one of the largest populations in the contiguous United States. In fact, only the state of Alaska has more, and it’s by quite a large margin. These bears primarily inhabit western Montana, including areas such as Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and regions surrounding Yellowstone National Park. However, grizzlies are expanding their range and have been confirmed in parts of central and southeastern Montana.
Moose on the other hand are more plentiful in the United States, with their range spanning across a number of northern states, and are especially prolific in the northeast. In Montana, moose are an iconic part of the state’s wildlife, admired for their size, solitary nature, and preference for rugged, remote habitats.
Of course, when these two majestic creatures meet, it’s usually in no so friendly terms…
Grizzlies are opportunistic eaters, meaning they’ll eat whatever is available, and that means less hunting than you might think. Grizzly bears eat a combo of berries, roots and grasses, in addition to meat and fish, but will also scavenge from a carcass when the opportunity presents itself. An easy meal is a good meal for a grizzly. Moose calves are particularly vulnerable in the spring after birth (usually May to early June), as a young moose offers a high-calorie, high-protein meal, which especially important after bears emerge from hibernation. Needless to say, a young calf is easier than an adult moose, but that doesn’t mean a bull or cow won’t be targeted. It’s a much riskier and more energy-intensive undertaking for a bear, but as we can see here, it’ll happen from time to time.
I believe this encounter happened last year, but was recently shared by MeatEater as a reminder that bears fresh from hibernation are HUNGRY right now. In fact, a shed hunter recently was forced to shoot one near Dupuyer, in the northwestern part of the state. But the location of this video here also happens to be where a camper was tragically killed back in 2010.
MeatEater shared this clip with the following caption:
“Bears are shaking off the winter, which means it’s time to stay sharp in grizzly country. This footage from @grizkid, a bear biologist, comes from the site 26 at the Soda Butte Campground in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. Site 26 serves as a grim reminder of what can happen when things go wrong—back in 2010, a grizzly and her cubs pulled Kevin Kammer from his tent, ending in tragedy.
Out here, respect and vigilance aren’t just suggestions—they’re survival tactics. The moose made its getaway as the grizzly lost interest and turned to grazing on clover south of the campground.”
Check it out, and stay safe in bear country this spring:
