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DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
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Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Reports on
Bears and Spring Conditions 2009
Spring is here again and bears are roaming the foothills and river bottoms of the Reservation. The Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department would like to remind residents of the reservation to do their part to keep unnatural foods away from bears.
Every year it seems like bears are moving into new areas and we get complaints from people who didn't think they had to worry about bears.
Spring is a rough time of year for bears. They've been hibernating all winter and are looking for food where not much is growing yet. If their natural foods are not plentiful, they may turn to people-related food sources. Bears are attracted to garbage, bird feeders, dog food on porches, livestock feed, compost piles and barbecue grills. Bears that find these kinds of food almost always return for more. Even if the food is then properly stored, the bear may search for similar food rewards in other locations. The more time they spend around people and houses, the more they lose their fear of people and become dangerous to have around. Bears often end up being killed.
Residents are asked to close the bear-resistant garbage dumpsters every time they use them. Bird feeders should be removed for the summer and the area around them cleaned of scattered birdseed. Birds don't really need the feeders now anyway, and seeing a few more sparrows out the window is not worth endangering people or causing a bear to get killed. Dogs should be fed inside or uneaten food removed after the dog has eaten. Livestock feed, except for hay, should be stored in a secured building. Livestock carcasses should be removed to an area where bears will not be attracted into conflict with people. If you know of a carcass that you can't move to an area where it won't attract bears near people, call the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department.
Remember, even if you don't mind bears coming around your house, you may be creating an unsafe situation for your neighbors. Tribal regulations make it illegal to provide food, including garbage, for bears. Tribal game wardens will be watching dumpsters and investigating reported violations to enforce the regulations.
If you have questions about how to make an area safe from bears or to report problems with bears, contact the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department at 338-7207.
Please be advised the Zone 3 Hunting District is closed from March 1 to June 14. This is the period of time the animals have their young. This zone is east of the Duck Lake Road and Highway 89, and Browning to Birch Creek. This closure has been successful, and wildlife has been spotted along the Roads of Cut Bank to Browning (Highway 2) and Browning to Birch Creek (Highway 89 south).
GAYLE SKUNKCAP, DIRECTOR
Hunting Report
Wildlife Harvested
Game Warden Reports |
Wildlife Harvested
According to Surveys |
2007
Tags Issued: 1368
Elk - 40 Bulls, 60 Cows
White Tail Deer - 94 Bucks, 120 Does
Mule Deer - 16 Bucks, 7 Does
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2007
Surveys Taken: 807
Nothing Harvested: 419
Elk - 50 Bulls, 88 Cows, 7 Calves
White Tail Deer - 204 Bucks, 98 Does
Mule Deer - 76 Bucks, 14 Does |
2006
Tags Issued: 1268
Elk - 60 Bulls, 77 Cows
White Tail Deer - 79 Bucks, 28 Does
Mule Deer - 15 Bucks, 15 Does
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2006
Surveys Taken: 685
Nothing Harvested: 327
Elk - 44 Bulls, 40 Cows, 4 Calves
White Tail Deer - 182 Bucks, 73 Does
Mule Deer - 77 Bucks, 14 Does |
2005
Tags Issued: 1179
Elk - 47 Bulls, 102 Cows
White Tail Deer - 105 Bucks, 58 Does
Mule Deer - 19 Bucks, 9 Does
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2005
Surveys Taken: 587
Nothing Harvested: 358
Elk - 38 Bulls, 37 Cows, 5 Calves
White Tail Deer - 158 Bucks, 47 Does
Mule Deer - 58 Bucks, 8 Does |
2004
Tags Issued: 1217
Elk - 32 Bulls, 38 Cows
White Tail Deer - 41
Mule Deer - 17
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2004
Surveys Taken: 754
Nothing Harvested: 474
Elk - 70 Bulls, 93 Cows, 7 Calves
White Tail Deer - 178 Bucks, 74 Does
Mule Deer - 71 Bucks, 13 Does |
2003
Tags Issued: 1173
Elk - 80 Bulls, 230 Cows
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2003
Surveys Taken: 758
Nothing Harvested:
Elk - 57 Bulls, 113 Cows, 5 Calves
White Tail Deer - 172 Buck, 72 Does
Mule Deer - 51 Bucks, 10 Does |
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