As we are being told again, again and again, weather----colder, hotter, wetter, drier-----plays a very large role in the movements, activities, successes and failures for all life on earth..........Due to snowier conditions in Montana's Rocky Mountains, the percentage of mother Grizzlies having emerged from their winter dens with cubs is noticeably down this Spring................5 foot snow accumulations in many known den locations has many Griz waiting to emerge...............By Memorial day, Researchers expect the full complement of Grizzlies to be "up and adam"

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Most grizzly bears still hibernating in Rocky Mountain Front region

CHOTEAU - Montana's grizzly bears along the Rocky Mountain Front appear to be staying in their dens a bit longer than years past.

According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, most of the grizzlies in the Rocky Mountain Front region are still hibernating.

Bear specialists said with the abundant snowfall in the back country, some of the dens still have four to five feet over the entrances.

FWP uses tracking devices to locate the bears, and they've found that most of the mothers and their cubs have not made it down to the low country.

Of the bears that have emerged, they have been located in the lower parts of the mountains and feeding on green vegetation.

FWP said usually by this time of year, most of the bears have already made it to the surrounding plains.

"This is a pretty surprising year because it does relates to the snow depth and colder weather we have been having this spring," said FWP bear specialist Mike Madel. "We have yet to have a confirmed grizzly bear conflict with ranchers or private land owners on the Rocky Mountain Front."

Madel said he expects the bears to become more active in the next several weeks, as the breeding season for grizzlies starts in early May.

Meanwhile, some of the grizzly bear in and around Yellowstone National Park have been on the move in recent weeks.