Bear safety for hunters: virtual and in-person opportunities

Human-bear conflicts increase in autumn as bears gorge in preparation for hibernation, and people take to the woods for archery and rifle hunting seasons. Elk and deer rifle season opener is Oct. 23, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting two virtual bear safety training events, followed by two bear spray give-away opportunities in Bozeman and Helena.

The virtual bear safety events are focused on bear awareness for hunters and will cover bear safety, biology, conflict prevention, responding to bear encounters, handling carcasses in bear country, and how to use bear spray. The two events...