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HELENA - Montana's upland game bird season and bow hunting season is underway and hunters will soon be sharing the landscape with the state's bears.

Just last year a hunter near Choteau shot and killed a charging bear that he had surprised in thick cover.

Wildlife officials are reminding hunters that grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness complex and the Yellowstone ecosystem, and black bears range widely across the state.

"Statistically and practically speaking, bear spray is the most effective tool for personal protection in bear country," said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman.

Aasheim added that depending on the situation, a hunter can effectively use bear spray to thwart a bear in dense habitat.

"Bear attacks are generally the result of a surprise encounter that leaves the hunter scrambling with only seconds to respond," Aasheim said. "An eye-searing cloud of bear spray with capsaicin and capsaicinoids is an effective deterrent."

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks offers the following tips for hunters:

• hunt with a partner, or let someone know your plans, and periodically check in
• get harvested game out of the woods quickly
• if you make a kill, immediately separate the carcass from the gut pile
• observe from a distance and signal your approach by making plenty of noise when returning to a carcass
• If a bear has claimed the carcass, leave it alone and contact FWP immediately.

A "How To Hunt Safely in Grizzly Country" brochure is available at FWP regional offices; you can also learn more about hunting safety at the MT FWP website.