The Gardiner Ranger District has implemented an emergency area closure for the Beattie Gulch area north of Gardiner, Montana to address bear-human safety concerns.

The area is closed to human entry until the gut piles left on and near Beattie Gulch Trail (#3240) are consumed.

"There are many grizzly bears in the area feeding on the remains. While it is common for bears to be in this area, their proximity to the trail and trailhead pose additional human and bear safety concerns," said Mary Maj, Gardiner District Ranger. "We will closely monitor the situation in conjunction with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and re-open the area as soon as it is safe to do so."

The closure includes the Beattie Gulch area from the Beattie Gulch Trailhead to the north where National Forest System lands borders private land. The closure extends southward to the Yellowstone National Park border and the west where the trail veers north and leaves National Forest System land (approximately 2.5 miles west of the trailhead on the western edge of section 12).

Maj continued, "We understand the impact to people with this area closure, especially hunters this time of year. We feel strongly, given the proximity of the gut piles and that the trail funnels people directly into the path of the bears, that a closure is needed given the amplified human and bear safety issues and concerns."

For information about the emergency closure please contact the Gardiner Ranger District at (406) 848-7375 or visit us online at www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin.