The grizzly bear that has been wandering through Chouteau County for the last several days has been captured near the Teton and Marias Rivers near Loma.
Mike Madel of MT FWP reported that the bear was a male yearling that weighed 238 pounds.
Officials tranquilized the grizzly and then fitted it with an ear tag, microchip and radio collar. The bear was then relocated to the Flathead National Forest.
"Our philosophy in situations like this is to leave the bear alone until it gets into trouble," said game warden Capt. Mike Martin. "After it killed the sheep we called in the federal trapper."
In river miles, the bear walked at least 175 miles down the Teton from the Pine Butte Swamp, which is the nearest grizzly population.
(June 30, 2009)
The grizzly bear that's been seen roaming in Chouteau County killed a sheep on Monday night, and is now reported to be in the Loma area.
Game warden Wendy Kamm said that MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks is setting a culvert trap and snares in hopes that the bear will return to the kill.
The bear was seen at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning crossing a road near the Teton River Bridge at Loma, and has since made its way to brush along the river. Area resident Elizabeth Ayers managed to take some pictures of the grizzly as it wandered through a road-side field.
Kamm is asking that anyone who plans using the Loma Fishing Access area to use extreme caution, as the bear is believed to be in that immediate area.
If the bear is trapped it will be moved back to its original Rocky Mountain habitat.
Loma is approximately 50 miles northeast of Great Falls.
(from June 29, 2009)
A grizzly bear has been sighted near Fort Benton, many miles from where such bears are usually found.
The bear was spotted on the Teton River in Chouteau County north of Fort Benton, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks official.
Wendy Kamm, FWP game warden, said that the grizzly was first spotted late last week along the Teton River north of Great Falls.
A Chouteau County sheriff's deputy and an MHP trooper also reported seeing the bear downstream at the Highway 223 bridge north of Fort Benton.
Kamm said that the bear appears to be headed downstream, and noted that it appears to be a lone bear with no cubs.
Although the grizzly has caused no problems yet, FWP officials are looking for it: "We would like the bear to turn around and go back," Kamm said. "Otherwise, if we can get the bear into an area where we can trap it, we will move it back to the mountains."
"We've been all over the countryside looking for it, and up in the air with airplanes today, but we haven't spotted it yet," said Kamm.
Anyone who sees the grizzly bear is asked to call FWP at 1-800-TIP-MONT (800-847-6668) or their local law enforcement agency.
You can learn more about grizzly bears at the MT FWP website.
