Out of the den: Why are some bears in western Montana not hibernating?

<p>It’s a hallmark trait of bears, a characteristic known even by small children: bruins hibernate through winter.</p> <p>Except, this year around Missoula, many of them aren’t.</p> <p>From neighborhood “trash bears” to near-city grizzlies feeding on frozen roadkill all season — plus, rural grizzly tracks spotted amid a frigid and snowy February — bears in west-central Montana are active in greater number and frequency than normal for this time of year.</p> <p>On this episode is Joshua Murdock, the Missoulian’s outdoors and natural resources reporter. He’s been reporting on all sorts of unusual bear activity in recent months, including this. <br><br></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>