Two more food-conditioned black bears were captured and euthanized near Heron recently in response to an apparent illegal feeding situation, according to an announcement from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1.
These black bears included a 125-pound male believed to be 3 or 4 years old, and a 185-pound male believed to be 6 or 7, according to FWP. A total of seven bears have been trapped and euthanized in this operation, which has now ended, FWP said.
Heron is located in Sanders County near the Montana and Idaho border. Based on reports and observations, a local resident allegedly fed bears, creating a public safety hazard. FWP set traps for the bears in the immediate area to address the hazard of food-conditioned bears roaming in a residential area. The food sources attracting the animals were removed. Monitoring has shown no new bears in the area over the past several days, according to FWP.
Montana Law prohibits feeding bears and other wildlife. The law states, “A person may not provide supplemental feed attractants to game animals by purposely or knowingly attracting any cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears, or mountain lions with supplemental feed attractants.”
The case is under investigation, and FWP is working with the Sanders County Attorney on appropriate charges.