Bear Smart Big Sky

03/04/2021

If pictures are worth a thousand words this is certainly one to share on World Wildlife Day! The bottom right is a female black bear that we radio-collared to learn about the population status and needs. We expected to see the two cubs with her, but not her 2-year-olds too. She was a bear in her late twenties, which equates to a very old bear. She had cataracts and her vision was no longer good. We hypothesized that she didn't push the two year olds when they turned one, like mother black bears typically do, and instead made an unusual move and let them stick around to help her. Did you know the most vulnerable bears to habituate to trash are the very old and the young bears that are striking out on their own? On World Wildlife Day commit to Doing Your Part & Be Bear Smart! Get a bear resistant trash can today!

02/27/2021

Hey Big Sky Community, Are you looking for a way to make a difference for our local wildlife? Check out this opportunity from and to collect citizen science that will inform decisions about increasing safety on Hey 191 for people and wildlife!

02/13/2021

Ever wonder what bears up to these days? Females have given birth to cubs in their dens and by spring she and her cubs will emerge from their den and begin looking for food. Now is a good time to join 80% of your neighbors in Big Sky and use a bear-resistant trash can ans keep bears (like this cub) wild and people safe!

12/31/2020

Saying goodbye to 2020 and looking forward to 2021! See you in the New Year!

12/25/2020

Happy Holidays from Big Sky's Bear Smart Ambassadors- Bernadette and her cubs! Be sure to get a family picture with them this season !

12/23/2020

As Big Sky gets a fresh blanket of snow, it is a good reminder that most bears, like this mother and her two yearlings, are in their winter dens. Did you know bears rouse periodically while denning, readjust, and fall back to sleep? If trash has become a readily available food source, some bears are known to leave their dens, partake in trash, and return to their shelters until the next trash pickup day. In Big Sky, we are committed to keeping bears wild - 80% of homeowners use bear-resistant trash! If you haven't already joined your neighbors, ask your trash company for a bear-resistant container today. Thank you for doing your part and keeping bears, like this family, behaving naturally and denning throughout the season. 📷K.H.Inman

11/24/2020

This Thanksgiving week, bears are settling down and mostly headed to their dens. So grateful to those in Big Sky Country that do their part to be smart! Thank you

11/21/2020

The weather is nice this weekend - Get outside and remember to be bear smart!

10/23/2020

It is feeling a lot like winter! Some bears have already started denning. Bears, like this black bear, are still moving around. Remember to stash your trash in a bear resistant trashcan and carry bear spray while recreating!

10/23/2020

It is feeling a lot like winter! Some bears have already started denning. Bears, like this black bear, are still moving around. Remember to stash your trash in a bear resistant trashcan and carry bear spray while recreating.

09/09/2020