Montana Huckleberry Pickers Urged to Stay Bear Aware

One of the things that makes Montana so special is our huckleberries. They're the official state fruit, and during the summer you can find huckleberry everything. Walk into just about any grocery store or gift shop, and you'll find an entire section dedicated to huckleberry jams, syrups, candy, ice cream, and more.

Taste the Best: Huckleberry Delights

Take a drive around St. Regis, Montana, and you will see signs for the “Best Shake Ever”, which happens to be their huckleberry shake.

Huckleberry Harvest Season: When to Pick

Late July through August is prime huckleberry season across much of Montana. The berries usually ripen first at lower elevations before becoming ready higher up in the mountains, according to the National Forest Foundation.

If you're planning to head into the woods to pick your own, remember that you're not the only one looking for huckleberries.

Bears love them too.

Berry pickers need to stay bear aware while enjoying the outdoors. Make plenty of noise while hiking, especially in areas with limited visibility, so you don't surprise a bear. Always carry bear spray where it's easily accessible, not buried in your backpack. If possible, avoid picking alone and keep an eye on your surroundings.

FWP also asks that people leave the huckleberry rakes at home. While they may seem like an easy way to gather berries, rakes can damage the plants and reduce future huckleberry production.

Sustainability in Huckleberry Picking

I've also heard reports that some lower-elevation patches aren't producing well at this time, but that often changes as the season progresses and higher-elevation berries begin to ripen.

The Kootenai National Forest reminds pickers that commercial picking isn’t allowed in their forest and they ask that you please leave some for the bears.

Your Huckleberry Adventure: Preparation is Key

If you're heading out to fill a bucket, be prepared, be respectful of the plants, and most importantly, be bear aware. A little preparation can help make sure your huckleberry adventure ends with fresh berries instead of a dangerous encounter you'd rather avoid.