Uncategorized
Grizzly killed by motorist near Big Sky
Published
8 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Tyler Allen
EBS Senior Editor
BIG SKY – During the July Fourth holiday weekend, a young male grizzly bear was struck and killed by a vehicle on Highway 191 south of Big Sky.
The bear fit the description of a grizzly that has been frequenting the Big Sky area this spring and summer, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear biologist Kevin Frey.
The young bruin weighed just over 200 pounds and Frey estimates he was 2-and-a-half years old—this was likely his first year on his own.
Big Sky residents have been reporting sightings since late winter, when a small grizzly was spotted at Big Sky Resort while there was still snow on the ground. Frey received a handful of similar reports from the Big Sky Resort Golf Course to Lone Mountain Ranch, and other areas between the mountain and meadow.
In the week prior to the fatality, residents south of the Gallatin Riverhouse Grill spotted a young grizzly in this area, according to Frey. “A couple people reported they had seen trashcans knocked over and trash spread around. It’s highly likely this bear was getting into the trashcans.”
Trash is the No. 1 attractant for bears in Big Sky, according to Kris Inman of the Wilderness Conservation Society, who coordinates the Bear Smart Big Sky program.
“We don’t want bears to die by being habituated to trash,” she said.
Inman estimates that 60-70 percent of Big Sky residents use bear-resistant trashcans, but much of that can be attributed to ordinances mandated by homeowners associations.
Currently, no HOAs along Highway 191 require residents to use bear-resistant cans, she said, though some people in that area have purchased them voluntarily.
“Big Sky is in some of the best bear country in southwest Montana, and black bears have been the issue we’ve mostly been dealing with,” Inman said. “With grizzlies recovering and moving out of Yellowstone National Park … it ups the stakes a little bit for being prepared to live with bears in Big Sky.”
Reducing bear-human conflicts here will require a community wide commitment to using bear-resistant trashcans, she says, but there’s a lot of confusion about the cost to upgrade since people choose different billing plans with Republic Services.
Typically, it’s an additional $1.40 per week or $6 per month to use the new cans, she said.
Bear Smart Big Sky is rolling out a new campaign this year to help inform both residents and visitors about strategies for living in bear country. In the coming weeks they’ll be distributing posters and fliers with information about how to reduce encounters while recreating; reduce attractants around your home; handle a bear encounter; and where to report a sighting or encounter.
Visit bscomt.org/natural-resource-council/bear-smart to learn more about Bear Smart Big Sky or to report a bear sighting.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm