The question of Montana’s total bear population is complex because the state is home to two distinct species with vastly different population dynamics and management strategies. A single definitive total number is not calculated by state or federal agencies, as it would combine a federally protected, threatened species with a widely distributed game animal. The overall figure is an ongoing estimate derived from combining separate census data for both the Grizzly Bear and the American Black Bear. The resulting population figures for each bear type serve fundamentally different purposes in wildlife management.
Distinct Bear Populations in Montana
Montana is home to the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) and the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), which are managed under separate frameworks due to their conservation statuses. The Grizzly Bear population in the lower 48 states is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This federal protection means their management is focused on recovery and structured around specific geographic areas known as recovery ecosystems.
In contrast, the American Black Bear is abundant, widely distributed, and classified as a game animal. Management for this species falls primarily under the jurisdiction of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Their populations are managed to ensure long-term sustainability while allowing for regulated hunting seasons.
Grizzly Bears are primarily found within four distinct recovery zones, though two contain the vast majority of bears. These are the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), both shared with neighboring states or Canada. The smaller Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (CYE) and the Bitterroot Ecosystem also fall partially within Montana’s borders. This ecosystem-based management approach monitors demographic health, genetic diversity, and habitat connectivity between these isolated groups.
The American Black Bear, being more numerous and adaptable, occupies a much wider range, primarily in the forested, mountainous regions of western and central Montana. Unlike the Grizzly Bear, their management focuses on local harvest quotas and maintaining a healthy, sustainable statewide population.
Current Population Estimates and Conservation Status
The most recent scientific estimates for Montana’s Grizzly Bear populations show a successful recovery in the core ecosystems. The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), which includes Glacier National Park, is estimated to contain approximately 1,100 Grizzly Bears. For the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), shared with Wyoming and Idaho, the population estimate is around 1,000 bears. These figures represent minimum viable population estimates, meaning the actual number of individual bears is likely higher than the reported figure.
The recovery goal established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the NCDE was 800 bears, a number that has been surpassed. Similarly, the GYE population has exceeded its recovery criteria, leading to discussions about potential delisting from the ESA. In the smaller recovery zones, the numbers are substantially lower. The Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem population is estimated to be around 55 bears, while the Bitterroot Ecosystem currently has no confirmed resident breeding population.
Despite the success in the NCDE and GYE, the Grizzly Bear retains its threatened status across the lower 48 states. This status ensures genetic connectivity and long-term viability across its historic range.
For the American Black Bear, the population is significantly larger and much more difficult to count precisely across the entire state. A comprehensive study conducted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) arrived at a mean statewide estimate of approximately 13,307 black bears. This figure, derived from data collected through 2008, remains the most frequently referenced statewide baseline. The Black Bear’s conservation status of “Least Concern” reflects its broad distribution and robust numbers throughout the state.
Methodology for Counting Montana Bears
The methods used to count bears are distinct, relying on advanced scientific techniques to survey elusive animals in rugged terrain. For Grizzly Bears, the primary method for estimating population size is non-invasive DNA mark-recapture. This involves setting up hair snagging sites—typically a scented attractant surrounded by barbed wire—to collect hair samples as bears rub against the wire.
The hair samples are genetically analyzed to identify individual bears, providing a unique “mark” for each animal. By repeatedly sampling the area, researchers calculate the population size using statistical formulas based on the proportion of marked to unmarked individuals. This technique is supplemented by intensive demographic monitoring, which involves capturing and fitting female bears with radio collars to track their survival and reproductive rates.
The methodology for estimating Black Bear numbers traditionally relies less on comprehensive census efforts and more on indirect measures linked to hunting regulations. Historically, the primary tool was the analysis of hunter harvest data, specifically the age and sex ratios of harvested bears. Biologists determine these ratios by analyzing tooth cementum rings, which allows them to model the population’s reproductive health and mortality rates.
More recently, Montana FWP has launched new genetic sampling projects for Black Bears, mirroring the advanced techniques used for Grizzlies. These projects involve establishing hair corrals in specific Bear Management Units to collect DNA samples. This shift toward genetic monitoring provides more precise and up-to-date population estimates, which refine management decisions related to hunting quotas and conservation.