Montana
Child hospitalized after bear attacked her tent in Montana
A black bear attacked a child inside a tent in Montana on Aug. 11, according to state wildlife officials.
In a statement released on Aug. 13, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said the attack happened at a private campground south of Red Lodge, a city about an hour southwest of Billings.
Wildlife officials said they found “unsecured attractants, including garbage, a cooler, and human food, around and inside the tent where the attack occurred.”
NBC Montana reported the child was a 3-year-old girl, though Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks declined to confirm the victim’s age and gender to TODAY.com on Aug. 13.
The child was taken to a nearby hospital, officials said.
Game wardens and bear specialists from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks set a trap at the campsite on Sunday evening and worked with the campground owner to evacuate the campground by the morning of Aug. 12, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. After the campground was fully evacuated, they set up more traps and snares.
“The bear was captured on the afternoon of Aug. 12, and was shot and killed,” according to the statement from wildlife officials. “The black bear involved in the incident had no history of conflicts. However, the bear had likely become food-conditioned and human-habituated after accessing unsecured attractants in the area.”
“Evidence at the site matched the physical characteristics of the bear and FWP believes the bear killed was the bear involved in the attack.”
Why wild bears frequent human campgrounds
When a wild bear discovers it can eat out of a garbage can or cooler at a campsite, wildlife officials call that becoming habitualized. The bears often stop searching for acorns and other mast (the fruits and nuts of trees and shrubs) and instead go for the easier targets like campground garbage bins and open dumpsters.
A 2019 GPS tracker study of black bears in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee found that nearly all black bears left the safe confines of the park to go into nearby cities.
“The food-conditioned bears had the smallest home-ranges. Because they locked in on trash and other human sources of food, they didn’t have to travel as far,” study author Jessica Braunstein told Knoxville, Tennessee NBC affiliate WBIR.
Staying ‘bear aware’ in bear country
When venturing out into bear country, people should do their best to avoid encountering them, officials said in a release.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers the following suggestions:
- Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.
- Dispose of garbage in bear resistant bins; otherwise, take it with you and dispose of it properly elsewhere. Do not bury or burn garbage.
- Follow local land management agency food storage orders and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent.
Some food storage options include bear boxes (large metal storage boxes often available at campgrounds) or hard-sided vehicles like a car or RV, though officials say not to leave food in your car for extended periods of time (like a backcountry trip for several days). Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also suggests investing in a personal IGBC-certified bear resistant container or getting temporary electric fencing.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 24 drawing
07-16-32-35-40, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 24 drawing
12-24-25-28, Bonus: 14
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 24 drawing
12-26-28-29-47, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Economic impacts from the conflict between the U.S. and Iran continue to affect numerous industries.
In Montana, officials have declared an emergency to help meet fertilizer demands across the state.
“Global logistical disruptions and supply chain volatility have impacted the consistent flow of fertilizer into the United States and Montana,” the emergency declaration said.
Slowed deliveries into Montana, the vast distances that must be traveled with supplies and a lack of drivers have increased short-term demand for the delivery of anhydrous ammonia and other fertilizers by commercial delivery trucks, state officials added.
The weather forecast, combined with an ongoing drought, may threaten farmers’ ability to obtain fertilizer in time for planting and crop emergence.
Through May 1, hours-of-service requirements for commercial motor vehicles are being suspended to facilitate and expedite the delivery of fertilizer products.
This relief applies to motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency.
Temporary registration and fuel permit requirements are also suspended.
However, vehicles operating in excess of legal size and weight still require a permit and will be allowed to travel at nighttime, on weekends and on holidays when providing direct assistance. Loads exceeding 10 feet wide traveling during nighttime hours on non-interstate highways require a front pilot vehicle.
Drivers must comply with posted load limits on roads and bridges unless specifically authorized.
Fuel prices also remain a concern across the trucking industry.
Analysis indicates those costs will remain elevated as global conflicts continue.
The Energy Information Administration said uncertainty, combined with low U.S. inventories, will result in a peak national average diesel price of over $5.80 per gallon in April.
For 2026, EIA expects diesel to average $4.80 per gallon.
“Our modeling indicates that fuel prices will continue to rise until these variables resolve,” EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey said in early April. “Full restoration of flows will take months.” LL
Read more Land Line news.
College-educated ag producers can apply for up to five years of student loan assistance
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Student Loan Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Established during the 2019 legislative session, this program provides student loan assistance to Montana’s college-educated youth pursuing careers in farming or ranching.
“The Student Loan Assistance Program seeks to help relieve some of the financial stressors that our young farmers and ranchers often face,” said MDA Director Jillien Streit. “When we can encourage or help bring a kid back to the farm, that’s a win for Montana agriculture.”
Qualified farmers and ranchers are eligible for student loan assistance through the program for up to five years. Applicants must be a Montana resident designated as the primary owner, heir, successor or assignee of a farm or ranch in Montana that obtained their associated or baccalaureate degree(s) from a Montana college or university and have agreed to operate their farm or ranch for at least five years.
Applications are due May 18, 2026, and can be submitted through WebGrants. Full program guidelines are available on the department’s website at agr.mt.gov/Student-Loan-Assistance-Program.
The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.
–Montana Department of Agriculture
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