How to view montana wildlife without being bitten chewed on or gored.
Montana has many outdoor recreational opportunities to offer. There exist the Bitteroot and Flathead valleys in western Montana. In the eastern portion of the state there are rolling praries,hills, and badlands to explore. The southwestern area includes a portion of the Yellowstone National Park. Northwestern Montana lays claim to the 28 mile long Flathead Lake. In southeastern montana, near historic Miles City, the Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers converge.
In short, there are many rivers, lakes, mountains and forrests to explore. It is possible to view bull elk bugling, cutthroat trout, whitetail or muledeer, inbound flocks of mallard ducks or Canadian geese and even the mischievous nocturnal raccoon.
It is important to most people who view wildlife in montana to avoid getting injured while doing so. To suffer being bitten, chewed on, clawed, or gored in an untimely fashion should be avoided at all costs. For instance the bite of a mature black bear can not only cut short a dream vacation it can cause a severe injury and even death.
Montana is a large piece of real estate. It is the fourth largest state in the United States. It ranks 44th in human population. So with such a grand expanse of land and so few people there are many wild animals living in this mountainous state. This situation provides many opportunities to view wildlife.
Some of the troubles that can befall a person while viewing wildlife in its natural habitat are many. There is always the possibility of getting lost. And the weather in montana can vary greatly. Temperatures drop to below zero in the winter and run into the hundreds during the summer.
The list of possible problems facing the wildlife enthusiast includes insect bites or scrapes, abrasions, lacerations and fractured bones from falls. Animal bites can and do occur. One can get sunburned or hypothermic depending on the weather. Every year in Yellowstone buffalo somehow trample or gore tourists who get too close. Lightening strikes are possible as is getting burned by a campfire. There is the risk of drowning. There are avelanches or sudden blizzards that wreak havoc. The list is almost endless.
On the whole it is relatively easy to see wildlife in Montana. There is plenty of it. It ranges from small game like ground squirrels to the mighty Shiras moose. And of course there is the gloriously beautiful yet dangerous Grizzly bear. With a little common sense and some easy rules to follow this endeavor can be done in a safe manner.
Plan excursions well. Use maps. Inform people of where and when the wildlife viewing will occur. Wear appropriate clothing. Take a first aid class and bring along first aid gear. Try and check the weather. Respect wildlife. Do not scare or harrass the animals. Do not get too close to animals. Learn how to swim and wear a lifejacket when on the water. Keep a close eye on children. Never go on a long trek without enough water or food. And it is foolhardy to leave on a wildlife excursion alone without letting someone know the planned time of return.
And most importantly use common sense.
