Saw a bear in Lolo the other night (Eureka: neighborhood, camping)

[Heart]

I have seen a bear before, a long time ago up in Alaska, however this was my first bear sighting here in Montana! We were getting ready to go walking down by the pond back in our neighborhood and as we drove by someone's house, we saw their ponies running like mad across their field and behind them was a bear scampering after them.

This took place in a residential area. It looked like a brown bear to me, however a guy we were talking with said it was a black bear.

[ElkHunter]

That will get your cardio up and running first thing in the morning.

I grew up hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and thought I could identify the different bears. I thought I was pretty good at it actually. Then, Wyoming Fish and Game come up with this training quiz that is kind of fun to go through. Only takes a couple minutes but gives you a great insite on identifying the differences. Give it a try and if you feel froggy, post your score.

Wyoming Game and Fish Bear Exam

[MTSilvertip]

You can't go by color here as Black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon, chocolate, white, blonde or even blue or a mixture of colors

In Alaska "Brown" bear usually refers to a Grizzly, but they can be various colors too, the most famous is the Silvertip

Look closely at the head and claws to determine which kind it is. Black bears have a very triangular nose, while grizzly have a dished face.
Black bears have short heavy claws, grizzly have very long claws up to about 5 inches sticking out.

Size is not a determining factor as young grizzly aren't that large, and black bear can grow huge with age.
For the most part in Montana, a black bear will average 200-300 lbs while an adult grizz will be about 500 lbs.

Everything is out of hibernation now and looking for food so this is a good time to see bear.

Watch southern exposed slopes where the grass and plants are greening up early in the morning and late in the evening.
Also look along creeks and streams near heavy cover.

I personally like seeing black bear, they can be very comical, but keep your distance as more people are injured each year by black bears than grizzly, mostly beause of their wider distribution and numbers, plus the fact they don't mind living in close proximity to humans.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by Heart

I have seen a bear before, a long time ago up in Alaska, however this was my first bear sighting here in Montana! We were getting ready to go walking down by the pond back in our neighborhood and as we drove by someone's house, we saw their ponies running like mad across their field and behind them was a bear scampering after them.

This took place in a residential area. It looked like a brown bear to me, however a guy we were talking with said it was a black bear.

It probably was cinnamon black bear. I've seen those most often in the wild. I always do a double take when I see them even though I know that black bears aren't always black. Regardless of the species, it is always neat to see a bear although hopefully the next one you see won't be chasing ponies.

[cumminszhere]

Originally Posted by Heart

I have seen a bear before, a long time ago up in Alaska, however this was my first bear sighting here in Montana! We were getting ready to go walking down by the pond back in our neighborhood and as we drove by someone's house, we saw their ponies running like mad across their field and behind them was a bear scampering after them.

This took place in a residential area. It looked like a brown bear to me, however a guy we were talking with said it was a black bear.

Did you happen to see a guy in a wrestling suit by any chance?

[24522]

Originally Posted by cumminszhere

Did you happen to see a guy in a wrestling suit by any chance?

Niiiiice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think he's here yet. He was also looking ate Eureka, not Lolo...

[Mt-7]

7 prefers her bear sighting to be on tv...lol!
I was at an event not to long ago and the F/G had a great display with different bear hides, track molds and other ways to identify. However, I am sure as my pants became damp I would not care just what kind it was, only that I was in the opposite direction..:-)

[icculus]

we've had 2 younger black bears pop-up recently within city limits here in upstate NY. one in albany and the other in schenectady. they're obviously spotted more frequently in the ADK and outlying areas so it's a bit unusual to see them in the city.

[magoomafoo]

We have an awesome cinnamon bear on our wall, love the color. I am more concerned with mountain lions than bears. The bears will usually run the opposite direction while a lion will stalk you when out walking.