Montana’s Largest City Sees Uptick in Bear Reports with MFWP

At the mention of the word bear, your mind probably wanders more to the western side of the state of Montana.  Places like the Rocky Mountain Front, Glacier National Park or maybe even closer to Great Falls, like Cascade or Fort Shaw.

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But the eastern portion of our state is also home to a few Yogi Bears, and apparently, they are making their way into the largest city in Montana according to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 5 headquarters.

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Montana's Largest City Sees Uptick in Bear Reports with MFWP

Through social media, the MFWP office in Billings, Montana has reported a higher-than-normal activity of bears in the southeastern city of nearly 120,000 residents.  FWP said that most reports have been near the Yellowstone River, rather than in the city itself.

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An open winter during the 2025/2026 season caused the normal natural bear foods to be "extremely limited this year, so bears are seeking out food anywhere they can, including in town" MFWP said in the release.

Proper Protocol Promoted for Billings Residents with MFWP Region 5

Despite the bear sightings being mostly near the Yellowstone, MFWP still warned residents of Billings and the outer areas to follow proper bear protocols to help avoid encounters.

• Store garbage bins inside secured building
• Put garbage outside only on collection day
• Avoid using bird feeders from March 1 to Dec. 15
• Clean barbeque grills and outdoor eating areas after use
• Store pet and livestock feed inside secured building
• Haze bears away from your property with loud noises, paintball guns or bear spray

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To report a bear sighting or a conflict, contact the Billings Region 5 Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks office at 406-247-2940.