Lamb-eating griz moved to reservoir

A grizzly bear accused of killing two domesticated lambs near Flescher Pass, in the upper Blackfoot River drainage, was recently captured and relocated to the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear managers collared the 350-pound male and let him go in the Baptiste Creek drainage.

FWP Region 1 wildlife manager Jim Williams acknowledged that grizzlies will often find their back to their home territory over long distances, “But it buys time to clean up the attractants at the conflicted site,” he said.

The property owners at Flescher Pass will install electrical fences to protect their livestock.

This was the bear’s first offense with livestock, and it was relocated with hopes it will regain its focus on natural foods. Huckleberry crops are coming in strong this season, Williams pointed out, but things will change when the crop abruptly comes to an end.