A Good Article On "Problem Bears"...

[Brad]

Bears are ‘spinning out’ in southern Montana. Wildlife managers are at their wit’s end.

Amid a record-breaking year of Western bear-human conflict, the historically tolerant Red Lodge community is grappling with conflicting views on how to live with the species — and whether a 'fed bear' really should be a 'dead bear.'

montanafreepress.org

 

[MTLabrador]

The number of bear problems is absolutely insane this year, even in Billings. It’s also frustrating when we still have a ridiculously low quota for the Pryors and Beartooths. I was looking forward to trying to find a bear outside Red Lodge this fall, but the quota for both 510 and 520 was filled on the 19th.

 

[fowladdict]

@Elkmagnet and I spent a lot of time talking bears recently. Lots of podcast and news talking about bears as of recent. Anyone have a book they could recommend on bears and their general habits? (not a hunting related book)

 

[elkduds]

What CO did this year. And still over 300 euthanized bears here so far.

Key Changes in the 2026 Law

• • Lower Legal Standard: Changed the requirement from proving a person intentionally lured a bear to proving they knowingly placed food or edible waste in the open with a reasonable probability of attracting a bear. [1]
  • No Mandatory Warning: Eliminated the previous rule requiring a mandatory warning for a first-time offense, giving officers discretion to issue a ticket immediately. [1, 2]
  • Increased Fines: Raised the maximum fine for a third or subsequent offense from $2,000 to $5,000. [1]

 

[Brad]

@Elkmagnet and I spent a lot of time talking bears recently. Lots of podcast and news talking about bears as of recent. Anyone have a book they could recommend on bears and their general habits? (not a hunting related book)

The Great American Bear by Jeff Fair is excellent. It may be out of print, but can be picked up on ebay, etc.

 

[fowladdict]

The Great American Bear by Jeff Fair is excellent. It may be out of print, but can be picked up on ebay, etc.

Found a hardcover and purchased via ebay. Thanks for the suggestion!