Big Sky Times

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offered bear safety tips shortly after reporting a 51-year-old hunter from Washington was attacked by a grizzly bear in Teton County earlier this week.

The man's injuries were "non-life threatening," Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' website reported on Oct. 11, the day after the attack.

"The hunter and his wife encountered the bear around 1 p.m. while hunting for upland birds in a creek bottom east of Choteau," the website said. "The bear charged out of thick brush at close range. The hunter fired at the bear with a shotgun and handgun, wounding the bear and stopping the attack. The hunters and their dogs left the area and notified authorities of the attack."

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear management specialists, as well as game wardens and Teton County deputies, located the bear at the site of the attack. Following consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they euthanized the animal later in the afternoon.

"The 677-pound adult male bear had no known previous history of human conflict and had never been handled by bear managers," the website said. "Evidence at the site suggested the attack was the result of a surprise encounter."

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks websites offered tips to avoid bear attacks and remain "vigilant and safe in bear country, which includes most of the western half of Montana." The website recommended carrying "bear spray in an easy-to-reach place and be prepared to use it immediately," as well as looking for bear signs and being cautious near creeks and areas of limited visibility.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, human-bear conflicts surge in autumn when bears are gorging prior to hibernating and humans are in the woods for archery and rifle hunting seasons.  There is an upcoming virtual bear safety training event on Monday, Oct. 24.

Anyone who would like more information and resources about bear safety should visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear Aware page on its website.