By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Once again, a human-grizzly bear encounter in Montana has resulted in the killing of the bear, and also added to a growing body of anecdotal evidence that grizzlies and people do not mix well.
CBS News is reporting the latest incident involving a hunter who was chased up a tree in Gallatin County. The hunter shot and wounded he bear just before he ascended the tree, and then called authorities. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded and the hunter was flown out of the area via helicopter.
The CBS report noted, “Multiple bear attacks have been reported in Montana in recent months. In late September, a man was attacked by a bear and injured, then walked over a mile to reach a rescue helicopter. In mid-August, a three-year-old girl was attacked by a black bear while she was in a tent at a private campground just north of Yellowstone National Park. A bear believed to be involved was captured and euthanized hours after the incident.”
That doesn’t count the incident in neighboring Idaho Sept. 1 near Henrys Lake in Island Park, just south of the Idaho-Montana border along the Gem State’s extreme southeast border with both Montana and Wyoming. In that case, a bowhunter was attacked and bitten by a grizzly while hunting elk, according to NBC News.
Back in April, a man hunting for antler sheds was attacked by a grizzly northwest of Montana’s Wolf Creek area, as noted by KRTV News at the time. He fatally shot the animal with a handgun when it got to within 30 feet. The bear was a female and had a single cub, which was captured and taken to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ (FWP) rehabilitation center in Helena.
The FWP offers some advice to hunters heading afield this fall”
- Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
- Watch for and be extra cautious around bear sign, creeks and areas with limited visibility. Most attacks happen in surprise, close encounters.
- Hunt with a group of people. This can help you make localized noise to alert bears to your presence, and it may also increase your chances of survival in the event of a bear attack.
- Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
- Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
- If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
- Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. Make noise while approaching the meat. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.
- Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
