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Major banks accused of political targeting
'Big Money in the Morning' analyze major banks accused of debanking conservatives. Representative Ryan Zinke joins to discuss President Donald Trump's Montana campaign rally and rising state gas prices.
Trump heads to rallies in Arizona and Montana after campaign stop-off in Alaska
Trump has taken to campaigning in conservative-leaning parts of competitive states, rather than in more politically diverse areas
3 Montana ballot measures, explained
Montana voters will determine via initiative the future of nonpartisan state courts, corporate spending in politics and the ballot measure process itself.
I-194 seeks to remove ‘dark money’ from politics
Citizens proposal could ban ‘artificial persons’ from contributing to elections as groups look to stop dark money in elections
Montana ballot measure could undo ruling on corporate spending in state politics
Montana voters will have a chance to speak out on the boom of corporate and anonymous money in politics that has been the result of the Citizens United court ruling.
Montanans shopping for health insurance face rising costs, shrinking subsidies, fewer choices
Open enrollment for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace starts Nov. 1. People with those plans faced higher premiums this year because of declining financial help from the federal government. Many Montanans chose lower levels of coverage or canceled their plans altogether.
Montana Democratic Party chair steps down, endorses independent candidate
Shannon O'Brien is the latest state Democrat to endorse independent candidate Seth Bodnar over embattled party nominee Alani Bankhead for Montana's open Senate seat.
Republican Aaron Flint touts Montana roots in western congressional district race
Aaron Flint says he and his family have deep connections to western Montana – connections he says you can still see on a short street on Whitefish’s west side, called Flint Avenue.
Growth for Montana Global Health is an easy pill to swallow
It all begins when a client comes forward with an idea for a product. The company sources all of the raw materials, which are tested, then measured and mixed. From there, the product starts to take shape — powders are put into capsules, and drinks are bottled.
Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin debate issues impacting Montanans
For the first time this campaign season, the four candidates on the ballot for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat appeared on stage together Sunday morning.
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana
Montana’s voters are set to decide a ballot proposal that would enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections in the state constitution
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana
Montana’s voters are set to decide a ballot proposal that would enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections in the state constitution.
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana
Montana’s voters are set to decide a ballot proposal that would enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections in the state constitution.
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana
Montana’s voters are set to decide a ballot proposal that would enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections in the state constitution.
The winners under I-194? Wealthy donors, PACs and politicians
Imagine a world where Elon Musk can spend hundreds of millions of dollars influencing Montana candidates and elections, while local organizations are prohibited from spending a dime; where media giants
Governor Gianforte Highlights Montana Quantum, Photonics Partnerships at Indian Institute of Science
BENGALURU, India – Continuing Montana’s trade mission to India, Governor Greg Gianforte today visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru to strengthen ties between higher education, Montana’s quantum and photonics ecosystem, and India’s research community.
Meet the Candidate: Jerry Schillinger
There are two candidates for Montana House District 34 on the general election ballot: incumbent Jerry Schillinger, a Republican, and Jasmine Erickson, a Democrat.
Montana health officials warn of severe risks as Fergus County confirms measles case
Some health experts say Montanans are at risk of measles with declining vaccination rates, and Fergus County confirmed this month a case of measles.
Livingston officials allow ‘Pawn Shop’ film to continue in Montana
Livingston officials have voted to allow a controversial film to continue shooting in the southwest Montana town. The decision came after a seven-hour City Commission meeting on Monday, where commissioners
Montana State doctoral student receives inaugural fellowship for human health researchers
The new fellowship was established by longtime HIV/AIDS researcher Kathryn Follis Heivilin and her husband Gerard Heivilin to support emerging scholars.
Voters to decide if Montana judiciary needs to be more political
Initiative would preserve Montana’s nonpartisan judiciary in the state constitution following 2025 legislative attempts to change them.
NBC MT Today: Rising fuel costs impact business, absentee ballot ruling, snow chances
I-194 won’t stop the political ads
Montanans are being bombarded with television and other political ads in this year’s congressional races. Voters should understand an important limitation of ballot initiative I-194: it would not stop much
Missoula Public Health seeks public input in community health survey
Missoula County residents may get a knock on their door later this month, as Missoula Public Health and local partners are conducting a community health survey
Kyle Austin touts business experience in bid as Libertarian for U.S. Senate
Kyle Austin is the Libertarian candidate in Montana’s U.S. Senate race. The 43-year-old pharmacy owner and farmer says he’s had a desire to serve in a federal office since he was a teenager.
Kyle Austin touts business experience in bid as Libertarian for U.S. Senate
Kyle Austin is the Libertarian candidate in Montana’s U.S. Senate race. The 43-year-old pharmacy owner and farmer says he’s had a desire to serve in a federal office since he was a teenager.
Miley Cyrus’ new album “Bass Persuades” shockingly suffers one of the biggest drops from No. 1 in chart history
The “Hannah Montana” icon’s latest LP took a massive dip in its second week.
Child dies from bacterial infection, state health department reports
A child died last month from complications of the invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection, DPHHS said.
Montana health officials warn of severe risks as Fergus County confirms measles case
Some health experts say Montanans are at risk of measles with declining vaccination rates, and Fergus County confirmed a case of measles.
Flathead City-County Health Department to hold annual flu clinic
The Flathead City-County Health Department will hold its annual flu clinic Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building.The clinic will r
Providence Opens New Rural Health Clinic in Polson
Just over a year after breaking ground on a rural health clinic in Polson, community members, donors and hospital staff gathered Sept. 30 in front of the new building just behind Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. “Over the years we’ve heard about this need over and over again,” Chief Executive for Providence Montana Krissy Petersen […]
Missoula Public Health offers free mammograms Oct. 14
Women in Missoula have an opportunity to get a free mammogram this month, regardless of whether they have health insurance.Missoula Public Health says women age
Livingston residents, local business voice concerns about film production disruptions
Livingston residents and local businesses are voicing concerns after a film production crew recently took over downtown.While the movie is bringing revenue to t
Whitefish Lake Institute hosts Science Quencher Oct. 9
Local voices of science and conservation will speak on northwest Montana’s wildlife and environment at Whitefish Lake Institute’s Science Quencher on Oct. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Ramsey Room at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. This event is free and open to the public.
Whitefish Lake Institute hosts Science Quencher Oct. 9
Local voices of science and conservation will speak on northwest Montana’s wildlife and environment at Whitefish Lake Institute’s Science Quencher on Oct. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Ramsey Room at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. This event is free and open to the public.
Montana's ballot measure on the initiative process, explained
The state constitution guarantees the people the right to propose ballot initiatives, but the sponsors of CI-133 say, in recent years, the Legislature has been making it harder to exercise that right.
Business pioneer Steve Krenzer to deliver fall 2026 Orser lecture Oct. 5 at Montana State
Krenzer will speak on Monday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Strand Union Building’s Procrastinator Theater.
Drazan joined by chair of Republican governors group as race heats up
Montana Gov. and chair of the Republican Governors Association Greg Gianforte joined Sen. Christine Drazan to meet with business owners in Eugene.
Sen. Drazan, Montana governor speak with Eugene-area business leaders
Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte heard from the business community in Eugene Sept. 30.
The Daily Roundup: Montana EMS Agencies Receive First Funds from Federal Health Program
The results are in: this year’s Great Fish Community Challenge was a record-breaking one, with 4,000 donors accounting for a total of $8.6 million going to nonprofits across the Flathead Valley.
Montana's ballot measure on political spending, explained
Frustration over outside groups' political spending, and the mailers and TV ads that go along with it, is what the supporters of Initiative 194 say they’re responding to.
Montana starts enforcing Medicaid work requirements on Oct 1. Patients are confused
In most states, people with Medicaid coverage will have to prove they're working, volunteering or studying, starting Jan. 1. But Montana is starting that early, and it's sowing confusion and anxiety.
Union, governor’s office strike deal on state employee healthcare costs
The deal softens a proposed deductible spike, but leaves monthly premium increases in place.
AFP-MT Opposes I-194, Warns Measure Would Silence Montanans, Threaten Businesses
HELENA, MT — Americans for Prosperity-Montana (AFP-MT) today announced its opposition to I-194, a statewide ballot measure that would strip Montana small businesses, family farms and ranches, and nonprofit organizations of their right to speak up in the political process — and put their ability to legally operate in the state on the line if […]
Montana State University’s annual research spending grows 7% to top $300 million for the first time
MSU’s research enterprise is larger than all other public and private universities in Montana combined.
Keeping politics out of the courtroom
Guest columnist Mike Talia describes the importance of keeping Montana judicial elections nonpartisan.
Confusion and Angst Follow State's Early Rollout of Medicaid Work Rules
In most states, people with Medicaid coverage will have to prove they’re working, volunteering, or studying starting Jan. 1. But Montana put the rules into effect early, and they’re sowing uncertainty and anxiety.
Fire Cloud with a Pileus on Top
Scientists captured rare observations of an ephemeral pileus cloud hovering over a smoke-infused cloud that rose above a wildfire in Montana.
Can Montana ban ‘dark money’ in elections?
Hawaii, Oregon also take on corporate political spending
Montana State students receive prestigious National Environmental Public Health internships
The students will complete projects involving tick-borne illness in Massachusetts and wastewater system mapping in Utah.
Bitterroot Health highlights early breast cancer detection ahead of awareness month
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches, Bitterroot Health is highlighting why early detection can make a difference.At the Hamilton hospital, 3D mammograph
A New Age of Montana Politics
When Finley Warden talks to voters, his age is “an elephant in the room.” The 20-year-old Republican (he’ll turn 21 in October) and fifth-generation Polson resident is mounting a run for his local legislative seat in House District 13, which contains parts of Lake and Sanders counties. The Liberty University student, who attends school virtually […]
Guest opinion: Partisan judges bad for Montana businesses
Partisan money threatens to infect our courts with fickle partisan politics, and that’s bad for business in Montana.
Virginia City businesses adapt after Montana Heritage Commission lease controversy
Virginia City businesses are closing out a tough season after steep lease hikes from the Montana Heritage Commission displaced several longtime operators.
Kalispell Chamber Backs Ballot Issue to Keep Courts Nonpartisan
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a ballot initiative aimed at keeping Montana’s courts nonpartisan, the nonprofit behind the initiative, Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, announced in a Thursday press release.
Montana State Employee Health Plan Costs Change Under New Union Agreement
The State of Montana Benefit Plan faces rising medical and prescription drug costs. The state says its self-funded plan is expected to see nearly double-digit h
MSU College of Letters and Science Distinguished Professor to talk about pursuing passions and excellence in Oct. 8 lecture
Brian Bothner will reflect on a career advancing biomedical research, mentoring students and expanding scientific opportunities across Montana in a free, public lecture at the Museum of the Rockies on Oct. 8.
Montana Supreme Court candidates Eddy, Wilson meet in Bozeman forum
Two candidates made their cases Wednesday for why they’re the best choice to fill an open seat on the Montana Supreme Court. Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson met for a forum at Montana State University.
Gov. announces new director of MT Dept of Public Health and Human
For the third time this year, a Montana agency director is leaving Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration for the private sector.
Governor Gianforte Announces Transition at the Department of Public Health and Human Services
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced that Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton will transition out of his role on October 30 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. The governor has named Dr. Doug Harrington, the department’s State Medical Officer, as Director of DPHHS.
Montana Health Department Director Stepping Down for Private-Sector Job
The director of Montana’s largest state agency, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), is stepping down from his position at the end of October for a job in the private sector. Charlie Brereton, 31, has led DPHHS since 2022, after serving as the agency’s chief of staff and as Gov. Greg Gianforte’s […]
Gov. announces Doug Harringon to lead MT Department of Public Health and Human Services
The Governor’s Office on Tuesday announced that Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton will step down on Oct. 30.
Can the States Stop the Corporate Domination of Our Politics?
States giveth corporations the right to exist, so the states can taketh away their political spending power—or at least, Hawaii and Montana are trying.
Jessie Diggins, Olympic gold medalist and mental health advocate, to speak Oct. 29 at Montana State University
The event is free and open to the public; tickets can be reserved in advance.
US Forest Service closing 23 research facilities as part of overhaul under Trump
MONTANA Forest Service closing stations BILLINGS — The U.S. Forest Service is closing 23 research and development stations in more than a dozen states as part of an organizational overhaul under President Donald Trump that is intended to trim costs and concentrate the agency’s resources in Western states, officials said Sept. 3. The work being […]
Flathead Co. health officials warn of measles exposure sites
Flathead City-County Health Department officials are warning residents about potential measles exposures after being notified that an individual with measles wa
What JaMarcus Shephard said after Oregon State beat Montana
JaMarcus Shephard spoke to reporters following his first victory as a head coach, a dominant 52-17 win over Montana at Reser Stadium.
Oregon State football vs. Montana live updates. Score, TV, streaming
Oregon State football hosts Montana at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Follow along for live updates.
Scouting the Grizzlies: 5 questions, prediction with a Montana reporter
Montana beat reporter Frank Gogola previews the Grizzlies' matchup at Oregon State, highlighting RB Eli Gillman, defensive vulnerabilities, and predicting a Beavers win.
Montana State Offers Free Quantum Science Curriculum for Middle Schools
Montana State invites middle school educators to apply for free QuantumClub training, curriculum and supplies covering quantum science.
Judge restricts enforcement of Montana law against AI "deepfakes" in campaign ads
Montana voters could be seeing more AI in campaign ads in the coming weeks, after a judge restricted enforcement of a state law that required disclosures on so-called “deepfake” campaign materials.
Montana Ballot Measure Would Strike at Political ‘Dark Money’
A measure aimed at stemming the tide of corporate money in politics will be on the November ballot. Opponents say it violates a high court ruling.
Why are state employees’ health insurance rates going up?
With money for the state healthcare plan running low, the Montana Department of Administration is hiking rates.
Viewpoint: Let's take dark money out of Montana politics
John Westenberg writes, I realize money will always play a role in politics. I’m convinced, however, that a huge step can be taken to make that money “honest”
A cancer survivor hoped to work — then she lost her Medicaid disability coverage
Patients with disabilities have long struggled with administrative hoops, blunders, and confusion when trying to qualify for federally subsidized health coverage because of their illness. Now, new federal Medicaid work requirements mean states face the additional task of deciding who qualifies for a medical exemption. That means reviewing medical cases for an even larger swath of Medicaid enrollees.
MSU offers free quantum science program for Montana middle school educators
Montana State University is inviting middle school educators across the state to apply for a free program designed to introduce students to quantum science and
Deep in Trump country, a revolt against corporate money could reshape political spending
More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative.
Deep in Trump country, a revolt against corporate money could reshape political spending
By Brad Brooks COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their stat...
Deep in Trump Country, a Revolt Against Corporate Money Could Reshape Political Spending
By Brad Brooks COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations ...
State health officials say Medicaid work requirement rollout is going well
State health officials last week told lawmakers the rollout of work requirements for people on Medicaid is going well. Montana soft-launched Medicaid work requirements July 1, months ahead of the federal deadline to do so.
Libby, Montana: A seminal case in environmental public health
Decades of amphibole asbestos contamination created widespread, multi-generational illness, revealing the vital need for long-term community monitoring, continuous medical care, and expanded scientific research
Gavin Newsom tells CNN’s Jake Tapper he won’t run for president if Kamala Harris runs in 2028
While fly fishing in Montana, CNN’s Jake Tapper asks Governor Gavin Newsom what it would take for him to run for president in 2028. This is part of on an ongoing series where Jake Tapper joins politicians from both sides of the aisle in some of their favorite places to discuss how they got to where they are today. For the full report go to CNN.com tomorrow at 8AMET.
Partnership Health Center closes Missoula clinics Wednesday over safety concerns
Patients in Missoula will need to make alternate plans for medical care after Partnership Health Center said its Missoula clinics are closed for the remainder o
Logan Health primary care providers sign no-confidence vote
Logan Health primary care providers are raising concerns about leadership, signing a vote of no confidence.The vote comes after months of bargaining between Log
Rosanne Cash postpones tour dates following medical emergency
Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has postponed upcoming concert dates in Wyoming and Montana following a medical emergency under doctor's orders.
Redside Foundation provides mental health assistance to the West's outdoor guides
The Idaho-based nonprofit provides mental health and other services to river, hunting and wilderness guides in states like Wyoming, Montana and Colorado, writes guest columnist Chuck Malloy.
Montana employees see large increase to health care costs
HELENA, Montana — State employees and retirees will see a substantial increase in what they will pay out of pocket for their health coverage, with deductibles tripling in the coming
Czech fire services find safety violation at entertainment venues
Czech fire service officials have found more than 2,300 fire safety violations during inspections of entertainment venues prompted by the inferno at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, Interior Ministe...
Vaping still a growing concern for Montana schools and health leaders
Montana schools are prioritizing vaping education and prevention as health officials warn 1 in 5 students have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
Top employees for data center company eyeing Yellowstone County made matching political donations before announcing plans
The Quantica employees gave the same amount to the same candidates and on the same days in 2024.
In 2010, US scientists released dye into Montana’s Missouri River and tracked it across 41.2 miles; one reservoir held the plume for 8.2 hours, helping predict chemical-spill timing
A river can carry a contaminant far beyond the point where it enters the water, but predicting exactly how quickly that material will travel is not always straightforward. In 2010, scientists with the U.S.
Leadership program for first-year business students at Montana State sees continued success
This year, 48 first-year students in the business college are participating in CABLE. More than 250 students have completed the program since it started.
Healthcare Costs Are Squeezing Montana’s State Workforce
Some employees will see their insurance contributions double and individual deductibles triple as the state confronts dwindling reserves in its employee health plan.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
2026 Flathead Valley Fall Sports Preview
After a 2025 fall season filled with individual and team state championships, several Flathead Valley athletes will be on the title defense, while others will make a push to reach the mountain top of Montana high school sports after falling one win short a season ago. The Glacier Wolfpack and Columbia Falls Wildkats saw their […]
In this red state, cattle ranchers are fuming. They blame Trump.
Some cattle ranchers in Montana are sounding off on President Trump's decision to import 300K metric tons of foreign beef.
First-of-its-kind PA program at UM hopes to boost rural health access
The University of Montana is making history with the launch of a new health care training program.The university is beginning its first week of classes for its