Authorities responded to a reported bear attack but discovered no one was injured after two black bears mangled an unoccupied tent in a residential yard.
On June 26, at approximately 4:50 a.m., an individual reported what was thought to be a bear attack on the occupants of a tent at a private residence in the Bull Lake area of Lincoln County, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the scene along with the FWP Human Attack Response Team. Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy observed a mangled tent in the yard and two black bears The deputy shot and killed one of the bears.
The officers discovered the tent was unoccupied during the incident. Unbeknownst to the people in the cabin, the four individuals staying in the tent the night before left around midnight and returned home to Libby, due to bear activity in the yard, according to FWP.
At about 4:45 a.m., the occupants of the cabin observed the tent was collapsed and two bears were tearing it apart. The occupants yelled and were unable to get a response and observed what they thought was blood in the low light conditions, according to FWP. They reported what they thought was an attack and waited for authorities to arrive.
Trapping efforts are ongoing for the second bear. If the second bear is captured, it will be euthanized, according to FWP. Authorities believe the two adult bears were food conditioned. The bears have been receiving food rewards at the residences and properties along and next to Bull Lake, according to FWP.
FWP reminds people that intentionally feeding animals is against the law and can result in a criminal citation.
It is important for people to not leave any food or attractants out to reduce any possible conflicts. Food conditioning can put people at risk and lead to more bears being trapped and euthanized.
According to FWP Investigator Brian Sommers, food conditioning can lead to aggressive behavior, the inability or desire to fend for themselves and bears breaking into buildings, trailers and vehicles in search of food.