Big Dogs vs. Big Bears: Montana’s New Battle Line

The grizzlies of Montana are suddenly everywhere. And I don’t mean in the high country where you’re looking for them; they’re raiding farms, tearing up chicken coops, and showing up in the backyard. The problem is getting large enough that news has reached the East Coast and the New York Times is taking note. When our bear problem goes to the front page in New York, you know it’s a real issue.

The Dogs Are Big — and They’re Working

So what’s the fix? Farmers are bringing in the big guns, or in this scenario, the big dogs. We’re talking Anatolian Shepherd and Great Pyrenees, breeds the size of linebackers that have been bred for one purpose: protect the flock. These aren’t lap dogs. They bark, they posture, and they will stand between a 700‑pound bear and a field full of sheep without a second thought. Studies confirm that they’ve reduced bear visits to farms by nearly 90 percent. That’s kind of a big deal when you’re tired of chasing down a cloud of feathers and waking up to your chicken coop torn all to shreds.

More Bears, More Run-Ins

It isn’t just farmers who are feeling it. Numbers of grizzlies are rising across Montana, and that means more run-ins for hikers, hunters, and anybody else living anywhere near remote. I have spent time in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and have felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck when I knew a bear was in the area. Now there are sightings everywhere.

Bear Country, Always

Bottom line: Those big dogs are carrying a lot of weight, but the rest of us still have to continue to be smart. Carry bear spray. Keep food locked up. Make noise when you’re hiking. It’s wild country out there, which is why we love it.