Human-Bear Conflicts in Southwest Montana: Mapping Attractants and Prevention Efforts in Missoula and Ravalli Counties

Missoula and Ravalli Counties in Montana, renowned for their prime bear habitats encompassing mountains, rivers, creeks, and forests, have witnessed a notable increase in human-bear conflicts over the past two decades. This escalation is attributed to concurrent growth in both human and bear populations, coupled with climate-induced constraints on natural food sources. Human-bear conflicts arise primarily when bears access human-associated foods (attractants), including fruit trees, garbage, and bird feeders. Evaluation of conflicts relies predominantly on voluntary reports, revealing a significant reporting gap between Ravalli and Missoula Counties. Despite this, conflict reports and prevention strategies remain unexamined based on attractant types and geographical features at a county scale.This study aims to comprehend the spatial and temporal shifts in conflicts and prevention priorities over five years, considering alterations in land cover and escalating human development in both counties. By analyzing a comprehensive database of conflicts reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, along with implemented conflict prevention strategies, the research examines the spatial dynamics and social demographics of human-black bear conflicts in Missoula and Ravalli Counties from 2017 to 2022. The objectives include: (1) comparing geographical features strongly correlated with conflicts and conflict prevention strategies in both counties and (2) contrasting demographic profiles in conflict-prone areas between Ravalli and Missoula Counties to reveal potential social determinants contributing to reporter bias in Ravalli County.Preliminary findings reveal garbage as the primary attractant driving conflicts in both counties, particularly along riparian corridors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive conflict prevention strategies in housing development zones near water features.This study guides bear managers in adapting prevention strategies to target areas highly correlated with conflicts in both counties. Furthermore, the results will inform the establishment of bear buffer zones through community planning in Ravalli County and inform areas to prioritize the Missoula Bear Smart Community Plan implementation.