Blackfeet Nation Fish & Wildlife PROJECT BRIEF

Grizzlies are gradually reclaiming parts of their historic range on the prairies of central Montana, including on the Blackfeet Reservation east of Glacier National Park. Our Partners Grant program provided funding for the Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife Department to refurbish grizzly bear GPS radio collars, extending the functional lifespan of existing monitoring equipment. These collars are a critical tool for proactive grizzly bear conflict prevention and management within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), and enhanced BFWD’s capacity to monitor bear movements, respond more effectively to conflict situations, and reduce the likelihood of bears accessing anthropogenic attractants. Refurbishing existing collars allowed BFWD to maximize limited resources while maintaining an active telemetry program essential for ear management on the Blackfeet Reservation.

By proactively monitoring grizzly presence of the Blackfeet Reservation, staff are able efficiently locate bears near communities, livestock operations, and recreation areas, thereby improving hazing opportunities and reducing the need for lethal management. These collars also support continued long-term data collection on bear movements, habitat use, and seasonal activity patterns which in turn provide valuable information for future management efforts.