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Fall Grizzly -- A Trail Guide to the King of the Crown

Grizzly bear
Grizzly bear
© Richard Lake
 

Comments

"The Bear Workshop was a great way to learn! Days were spent roaming the Front country of the Rockies learning to see the forest and land from a bear's perspective. The fall colors of the aspen clones seemed particularly spectacular to me. The evenings were much anticipated too as the kitchen
staff prepared delicious meals. In front of the big rock fireplace the after dinner, informal talks gave us a chance to share thoughts, ask questions and enjoy some wonderful stories and tales together.  I'm going back!"
–J.H., Santa Barbara, CA
  

Date:
Sept. 21–27, 2008

Time:
Full day activities

Overview:
Daily field trips into occupied grizzly habitat, lectures, and audio-visual programs combine to make this an exciting and fulfilling opportunity.  Timed for the best in spring or autumn scenery (as well as bear activity), this workshop will expose participants to some of the most magnificent wildlands left in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on first-hand learning in the field; topics will include grizzly habitat requirements, food habits, reading sign, management, and more. This session is designed for adults of all ages and experience levels.

The field trips for this workshop involve traveling roads and trails into the beautiful, remote areas that grizzlies inhabit. The Rocky Mountain Front of Montana and Alberta is home to North America’s last prairie grizzly bears, and our explorations will lead us into the diverse habitats of this ecosystem, including Glacier National Park and The Nature Conservancy’s sprawling Pine Butte Swamp Preserve.

Our hikes are at a pace designed to accommodate group needs. We make frequent stops to discuss the local natural history and bears. Several of our walks will be in mountainous terrain, at elevations from 4,000-6,500 feet. Round-trip lengths of the hikes are usually between 2-7 miles.     
 
We will strive to see and respectfully view wild bears, although this, of course, cannot be guaranteed.  Montana grizzlies are intelligent and cautious animals, often sensing and avoiding people undetected. 

Experience the 2005 Spring Grizzly Bear Workshop
in photos and narrative.

The Instructor:
Dr. Charles Jonkel is regarded as one of the world's eminent authorities of bears. He has conducted research on Montana grizzlies for well over 25 years. “Chuck” has also led extensive research projects on black and polar bears. He has spent untold thousands of hours in many parts of wild Montana studying and observing grizzly bears.

In the field, Chuck is a rare delight, a storehouse of information about the land and its wild inhabitants. His sense of humor, dedication to his work, and his expertise combine to make an exceptional instructor.
 
See Chuck in action:
View Postcards from the Field: Searching for Grizzly Bears in Montana

Assisting with this workshop will be Eric Bergman, Pine Butte’s resident naturalist. He brings broad understanding and experiences in botany, ecology, and environmental education, in addition to an intimacy with this landscape. Through The Nature Conservancy programs, Eric has been teaching about the ecology of the Rocky Mountain Front for 5 years, and has been exploring Montana’s wild places his entire life.  

Cost: 
Cost for this workshop is $1700 per person, which includes airport shuttle service to/from Great Falls, food, and lodging at Pine Butte Guest Ranch. We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person in order to hold your reservation(s). A portion of your fee ($400) is considered tax-deductible.

Enrollment is limited to 16 participants.

Accommodations:
You’ll stay at the historic Pine Butte Guest Ranch, set in a spectacular mountain valley surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness. It’s the perfect place to "get away from it all" and enjoy outstanding food and cozy lodging.

Reservations:
Please call the ranch at (406) 466-2158 for reservations.

Learn more:
• Travel to the ranch
• What to bring

We look forward to hosting you at Pine Butte Guest Ranch!