Wildlife Safety Reminders from the City of Helena

Published on October 16, 2023

Mule deer buck lays on the ground with rope stuck on his antlers.

HELENA, Mont. – Fall is a busy time of year for the City of Helena’s Animal Control / Urban Wildlife division. The division consists of two officers that respond to calls for help all over town. In September and October, calls related to wildlife tend to increase, with more conflicts related to deer and black bears. To help residents minimize wildlife conflicts, the Animal Control Officers have compiled some safety reminders.

Deer
The deer population increases within City-limits this time of year as animals start preparing for winter. Mating season (also known as the rut) is also right around the corner, which will lead to behavior changes, especially for bucks. As bucks enter the rut, you may notice them becoming more aggressive.

One indicator of the rut is bucks rubbing their antlers on trees and bushes. As a result, holiday decorations can become a hazard to the animals. The City’s animal control officers have seen deer get caught in Halloween decorations (like spider webs) and soccer nets. Here are some recommendations to help keep deer safe:

Hang decorations in a location that is out of reach of deer.
Attach decorations to a wall rather than a tree or shrub.

Black Bears

October is often a time when black bear encounters increase within City limits, particularly in the south hills. As the bears prepare for winter hibernation, they tend to be more active in looking for food. Residents may see an increase in issues with garbage cans, bird feeders, chicken coops, and fruit trees. Recommendations to help minimize these issues include:

Secure garbage cans and avoid overfilling them.
Store garbage cans in a garage, or shed, if possible.
Hang bird feeders in locations that are not easily accessible or take them down.
Lock chicken coops and store chicken feed in a secure place.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Animal Control team with questions. Wildlife related issues, including aggressive deer, can be reported through the non-emergency dispatch line - 406-457-8866. Please also notify the Animal Control / Urban Wildlife division of any bear sightings or signs of bears so that they can track movement.