GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A man from Washington state was attacked by a grizzly bear while bird hunting in Montana, officials say.
According to a news release from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Tuesday afternoon at around 1 p.m. a hunter, 51, and his wife startled a grizzly bear while bird hunting in a creek bottom just east of Choteau.
MDFWP said the bear “charged out of the thick brush at close range.” The hunter fired at the bear with both a shotgun and a handgun, which helped to stop the attack. The bear was wounded. Both the hunters and their dogs left the area to notify authorities.
According to KIRO, MDFWP consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to locate and euthanize the bear later Tuesday afternoon. The bear weighed about 677 pounds.
The bear didn’t have any history of human conflict and was never handled by bear managers, according to KIRO. It was believed that the attack was because of the surprise encounter.
The 51-year-old hunter’s injuries were non-life-threatening, according to The Associated Press. He did spend the night at the hospital for observation but did not have any claw or bite marks, MDFWP spokesperson Dave Hagengruber told the AP.
MDFWP said if you are hunting in bear country to be prepared by carrying bear spray, being cautious about where you are going and where you are, and go hunting with a group of people. More information and other tips can be found on their website.
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