KALISPELL, Mont. – The Flathead National Forest Service (FNFS) is warning campers at Emery Bay on the Hungry Horse Reservoir that a black bear has been seen entering the camping area.
FNFS stated on July 4 that a black bear had broken into a vehicle at Emery Bay and found a food reward inside.
They said that when this happens, it typically will reinforce the bear’s expectation that entering a populated area and breaking into private property will result in more food for them to eat.
According to FNFS, this makes tent camping at Emery Bay especially dangerous while the bear remains in the area of the campground, even if all food and attractants are properly secured.
FNFS currently has law enforcement present in the area of the campground to instruct anyone without hard-sided campers to move to another area.
Campers are urged to please remember to follow the food storage order while camping, as bears will readily investigate a potential food source that they smell nearby.
To read more about the food storage order and other alerts at Flathead, you can visit the Flathead Forest Service website at fs.usda.gov/alerts/flathead/alerts-notices/.
You can also learn more about how to safely share our National Forests with bears at this link to the FNFS website.
