Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the American Bear Foundation teamed up Sunday evening at the Blackfoot Taproom for a bear awareness event that mixed education with some hands-on training. The October 5 event ran from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with bear spray training held in the alley behind the taproom starting at 6:00 p.m.
The session covered bear behavior, conflict prevention, and proper bear spray use — practical information for anyone spending time in Lewis and Clark County's backcountry, along area trails, or even in neighborhoods where bear activity has been reported in recent years. Organizers framed the event broadly, noting the tips apply whether you're in the woods, on the water, or at home.
A raffle drawing was also part of the evening, giving attendees a chance to win prizes while picking up potentially life-saving information. Events like this one tend to draw a mix of serious outdoors people and curious neighbors — exactly the kind of turnout FWP and the Bear Foundation were likely hoping for heading into fall, when bears are in hyperphagia and encounters with humans often tick upward.