hotspot

hotspot

A woman was found dead after what authorities say was "an apparent bear encounter" near Yellowstone National Park.

The woman's body was discovered on Buttermilk Trail west of West Yellowstone, Montana, on Saturday morning, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks suggested people going outdoors in areas where there are bears, should follow some precautionary steps:

• Carry and know how to use bear spray.
• Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
• Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
• Make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility are limited, to alert bears to your presence.
• Don't approach a bear.

ABC News' Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.