Glacier National Park in Montana is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. Black bears mainly stick to the forests of the national park, eating roots, young shoots from trees, shrubs, berries, fruits, grasses, nuts and buds, along with insects and occasionally carcasses.
Grizzly bears, on the other hand, are typically found in meadows but they do move around searching for food. Similar to black bears, grizzlies are omnivores, eating grasses, rodents, carrion, flowers, insects, roots, nuts, and berries. Glacier National Park has an estimated 300 grizzlies.
Generally black bears and grizzly bears leave each other alone, they run into each other more often when food gets sparse like in the early summer. Grizzlies are larger and usually stronger, weighing up to 440 pounds (black bears generally max out around 250-300 pounds), black bears have their own way to escape a charging predator that grizzlies can’t match: tree climbing.
Both black bears and grizzly bears need to be treated with caution and respect. Intentionally approaching viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears or wolves is prohibited in Glacier National Park. Read more about bear safety in Glacier National Park below.
Bear Encounters in Glacier National Park:
If you encounter a bear inside the minimum recommended safe distance (100 yards; 91 m), you can decrease your risk by following these guidelines:
- If a bear or other animal is moving in your direction on a trail, get out of its way and let it pass.
- If you can move away, do so. If moving away appears to agitate the bear, stop. In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. Lowered head and laid-back ears also indicate aggression. Bears may stand on their hind legs or approach to get a better view, but these actions are not necessarily signs of aggression. The bear may not have identified you as a person and may be unable to smell or hear you from a distance. Help the bear recognize you as a friendly human.
- Talk quietly.
- Do not run! Back away slowly. Stop if it seems to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Continue to move away as the situation allows.
- If a bear appears intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive manner (not showing signs of agitation), gather your group together, make noise, and try to discourage the bear from further approaching. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If you are preparing or consuming food, secure it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop. Do not run. Talk quietly to the bear. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If contact appears imminent and you do not have bear spray, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, clasp your hands around the back of your neck, and leave your pack on for protection. If the bear attempts to roll you over, try to stay on your stomach. If the attack is defensive, the bear will leave once it recognizes you are not a threat. If the attack is prolonged, FIGHT BACK!