Check before you go
Review closures, recent bear activity, food-storage rules, and whether bear spray is allowed or recommended at your destination.
FIELD NOTES / BEAR AWARENESS
Respect starts with preparation.
Good adventures begin before the trailhead. Learn the basics, then check the guidance for the place you’re going.
A starting point, not a complete field guide.
Conditions, rules, and encounter responses vary. Follow current land-manager instructions and read the official resources below before traveling.
BEFORE & DURING YOUR TRIP
Make awareness
a habit.
Give wildlife room. Stay observant. Keep your group together.
Stay alert on the trail
Travel together. Make your presence known near noisy water, thick vegetation, and blind corners. Avoid headphones that limit awareness.
Manage food and scented items
Keep food and scented items out of tents. Store attractants according to local orders; use approved storage where required. Dispose of waste properly.
Keep bear spray accessible
Where allowed and recommended, carry bear spray where you can reach it quickly. Read its label and learn correct use before your trip. It does not replace prevention.
Give bears space
Never approach or feed a bear. Never run from one. If you see a bear, avoid approaching; your response should account for its behavior and the situation. Read official encounter guidance in advance.
GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE
Official guidance.
Worth your time.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ↗
Staying safe around bears
Bear encounters and why the circumstances matter.
MONTANA FWP ↗Be Bear Aware
Montana’s hub for bear awareness, recreation, and resources.
MONTANA FWP ↗Understanding encounters
Plan ahead and learn about different encounter types.
Also consult FWP’s recreating and camping guidance and NPS bear-awareness reminders. Reviewed November 9, 2026. Bear Annoyed is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.