Grizzly bear relocated, investigation complete

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — The Tribal Wildlife Management Program reported trapping a male grizzly bear on Friday, May 20, east of Ronan.

The four-year-old male had killed one chicken earlier that day, a bear trap was set and the bear was soon captured and relocated.

Stacy Courville of the Tribal Wildlife Management Program said there have been four grizzly bears killed and six grizzly bears relocated due to unprotected chicken coops or livestock within the past year. This is the first grizzly bear from the Flathead Indian Reservation relocated in 2011.

Last week, a two year old female was shot and killed after returning to an unprotected chicken coop. The Tribal Fish and Game Program reported Monday that authorities have completed that investigation, finding that the death of the bear was a justifiable self-defense shooting and no charges will be filed.

“I strongly encourage the public to secure their chickens. If you need help identifying solutions for securing your chicken coop contact us,” Courville said.

There will be a predator proofing electric fence clinic on Wednesday, June 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cenex Mountain West Co-Op in Ronan. Small livestock producers are encouraged to attend the clinic and learn effective ways to protect both livestock and wildlife.

Grizzly bears are a threatened species protected by the Endangered Species Act.

For more information on bears in the Mission Valley contact Stacy Courville, Chief Pablo Espinoza or Germaine White at 883-2888.