Chuck Bartlebaugh News Today

The free annual Montana Matters Youth Outdoor Experience will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds.

Local experts weigh in on the importance of being "bear aware" as hibernation closes in on bears in the Missoula area.

As crowds cheered, drank and partied at the University of Montana’s first home football game of the year, James Jonkel sat in his truck beneath a tree near Liquid Planet,

“Even though you try to do all of these things to be safe in bear country, there’s still unfortunately these times where things just don’t go right," said Dan Smith, regional wildlife supervisor for Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Even though you try to do all of these things to be safe in bear country, there’s still unfortunately these times where things just don’t go right," said Dan Smith, regional wildlife supervisor for Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Even though you try to do all of these things to be safe in bear country, there’s still unfortunately these times where things just don’t go right," said Dan Smith, regional wildlife supervisor for Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Even though you try to do all of these things to be safe in bear country, there’s still unfortunately these times where things just don’t go right," said Dan Smith, regional wildlife supervisor for Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Seeing a bear in the wild is an exhilarating experience, but it doesn’t come without risk. Learn the best practices on using bear spray to keep you and others safe from bear attacks in the backcountry.