There are several major grizzly bear ecosystems throughout Montana ranging from the Northern Continental Divide to the Greater Yellowstone area, making up largest population in the lower 48 states. Montana’s grizzly bears tend to weigh between 250-350 pounds for females and 400 to 500 pounds for males, with a muscle structure that makes them massively strong and gives them the ability to run up to 35 miles per hour.
Cubs are typically born in late January or early February, during the winter denning period. Cubs are most commonly born as twins, but both single cubs and triplets aren’t uncommon (quadruplets and more do happen, though rare). The cubs will typically stay with their mother for 2-3 years. Female grizzlies are usually incredibly defensive of their young, displaying a near reflective response to anything they might see as a threat.
In this case, a moving car seemed to startle a grizzly mother with three cubs, leading her to charge at the vehicle.
It doesn’t really seem like there was much these people could have done to prevent this interaction. If you are traveling in bear country, having bear spray in an accessible place and knowing how to use it is incredibly important, in addition to staying alert and keeping a close eye out for bear activity in general. Bears should always be given at least 100 yards (300 feet) of space, and if one approaches your car you should simply honk and drive away. Read more on bear safety below:
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks Guidelines For Recreating in Bear Country:
RECREATING – Safely exploring the outdoors
- Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.
- Stay alert and look for bear activity, especially where visibility or hearing is limited (woods, bushy areas, streams)
- Travel in a group and keep members together (especially kids).
- Make noise whenever possible to avoid surprising a bear, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.
- Avoid traveling at night, dawn or dusk.
- Avoid carcass sites and scavenger concentrations.
AMPING – Keep bears and people safe
- Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.
- Dispose of garbage in bear resistant bins; otherwise, take it with you and dispose of it properly elsewhere. Do not bury or burn garbage.
- Follow local land management agency food storage orders and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent.
- Food storage options:
- Bear boxes
- Hard-sided vehicles (car, truck, RV). Avoid leaving attractants in vehicles for extended periods of time (backcountry trips).
- IGBC-certified bear resistant containers
- Temporary electric fencing (PDF)
- Food storage options:
MOUNTAIN BIKERS, TRAIL RUNNERS & OHV USERS – Best practices for riding and running
- Anyone traveling quickly (mountain biker, trail runner) can be at high risk of surprising a bear.
- Slow down and look ahead, especially in areas of dense vegetation, berry patches, and around blind corners.
- Ride or run in daylight and in groups.
- Make noise! Let bears hear you, especially where visibility is limited.
- View a video about Bear aware when riding or running in Bear country.
- Biking in Bear Country (YouTube)