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Choteau Grizzly Bear Management Specialist, Chad White, and Ali Marschner, Bear Management Technician, held a Bear Safety and Conflict Prevention talk at the Wedsworth Memorial Library Thusday evening, March 7th. The presentation was interactive, as the presenters shared bear awareness information, as well as some stories of their "close encounter" experiences, and people were free to ask questions about their concerns.

Bears, like all wild animals, are potentially dangerous even though they will usually detect your presence and leave the area. Some tips dealing with ENCOUNTERS from the BeBearAware.org: Remember: distance equals safety.

If a bear is visible, but not close, alter your route so that you will move away from its area.

If a bear approaches, do not run! Remain calm, group together, and pick up small children. Continue to face the bear, and slowly back away. If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by shouting and acting aggressively.

If a black bear attacks, use bear spray and fight back using everything in your power - fists, sticks, rocks, etc.

If a grizzly bear attacks, use bear spray or play "dead" by dropping to the ground, lying flat on your stomach with hands clasped together behind your neck, and bracing yourself with your elbows and toes. Leave your backpack on for added protection. Remain in this position until you are sure the bear has left the area.

To protect or secure your RESIDENTIAL AREAS, minimize odors and the availability of food rewards throughout your yard and community.

Put out garbage on the day of pick up, not the night before. Store in a sturdy building or place in an approved bear-resistant trash receptacle.

Hang bird feeders from a pulley system with a catch tray so they're out of reach of bears. Take feeders down between April and November.

Keep barbeques clean and grease free. Store with livestock/pet feed and garbage inside a sturdy building. Windows, doors, and shutters should close against reinforced jams.

Pick all ripe fruit from fruit trees promptly, and keep the ground clear of fallen fruit.

Items on display were available for inspection by those in attendance

Vegetable gardens, compost piles, orchards, and beehives may attract bears. Electric fences can be used to keep bears out.

Place children's play areas close to your house, with viewable space around ;them and away from brushy or forested areas.

Provide outdoor lighting at entraances and walkways.

If a bear enters your home, leave immediately! If you can't get to an exit, go to the nearesrt room where you canshutthe door securely. Call for assistance from your local wildlife agency, police, or fire department. When help arrives, open doors and windows to provide the bear with as many exits as possible.

Bear activity may intensify in spring when bears are emerging from their dens, in the fall when bears are bulking up for hibernation, and during periods of drought due to natural food shortages.