Bear Smart Missoula

Phase 3 of Missoula’s Bear Smart rules went into effect April 30, and residents and businesses in the remaining area of the bear buffer zone will be required to secure their garbage to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food. The rules are meant to keep bears from coming into neighborhoods and to keep bears wild and humans safe.

Phase 3 includes approximately 12,000 customers in neighborhoods like Miller Creek and Big Flat Road. Missoula’s two private garbage haulers, Grizzly Disposal and Republic Services, are working to switch out customers’ regular garbage cans to bear-resistant garbage cans.

It may take up to six months for residents to receive new bear-proof trash containers.

Customers who have questions or would like to advocate for a faster switch due to bear sighting in their neighborhood can call Republic Services at 406-610-2479 or stop by 3207 W. Broadway during business hours. Grizzly Disposal customers can call 406-541-7171.

Residents who don’t lease containers should call the garbage service they use to either lease a bear-resistant garbage can or get a recommendation for what they need to buy. Containers must be compatible with the haulers’ trucks and certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. A list of compatible containers is available online.

Project Background

Missoula County and the City of Missoula adopted the expanded bear buffer zone in the fall of 2023. The original buffer zone was established in 2010 and was limited to city properties. The expanded zone includes the upper Rattlesnake, Bonner, Pattee Canyon, Miller Creek, Big Flat, O’Keefe Creek, Butler Creek, Grant Creek and the Potomac area. The commissioners and city council voted to adopt these regulations in fall of 2023.

The regulations for the bear buffer zone have been rolled out in three phases:

• Phase 1 (Rattlesnake and Grant Creek) — in effect since April 30, 2024
• Phase 2 (South of Rattlesnake to Pattee Canyon and part of Farviews) — in effect since April 30, 2025
• Phase 3 (rest of the Bear Buffer Zone) — in effect April 30, 2026
• Potomac Bear Buffer Zone — in effect September 1, 2024

This phased approach gives garbage haulers time to purchase and distribute the number of bear-resistant containers needed to serve the entire area, while prioritizing locations with the most bear conflicts.

What is the Bear Buffer Zone?

The bear buffer zone is a defined area that is prone to more human and bear interaction. Residents living in the bear buffer zone must follow certain rules to prevent conflicts between humans and bears. According to the Bear Hazard Management Plan, from 2018 to 2021, 49% of recorded bear-human interactions centered around bears and garbage. To address this issue, the bear buffer zone was established to minimize human-bear conflicts. In reducing human-bear conflicts, we can reduce the risk to human safety and private property, as well as reduce the number of bears that must be killed or relocated every year.

Looking forward to learning more?

To learn more about how Missoula is working toward being Bear Smart, you can explore the following links:

• Bear Hazard Assessment for the Missoula Area
• Missoula Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan
• Bear Smart Resolution
• Learn more about bears or report a bear sighting

Are you in the bear buffer zone?

Wondering if you are in the bear buffer zone? Visit this link, enter your address, and then click the “Facts” button on the right side of the page. Property managers should share this information with tenants and renters in the bear buffer zone.

Questions?

Residents with questions about the new rules can contact the Missoula Public Health by emailing envhealth@missoulacounty.us or calling 406-258-4755