A hunter in Eureka Basin in the South Gravelly Mountains, Montana, shot and killed a grizzly bear on Oct. 26, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The hunter was unhurt and says he killed the bear in self-defense, reported KTVQ.
FWP released a statement saying that “the interagency investigation is still ongoing, and details of those incidents will be released as they become available.”
Many grizzly and black bears will be active during the general deer and elk hunting season that started on Oct. 26, and will last until Dec. 1, says Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The agency reminds hunters and recreationists to be prepared for bear confrontations.
They additionally state that the grizzly bear population has expanded and become denser in central Montana, where the bears seek for protein and calorie-rich foods prior to their hibernation during the fall hunting season.
Related Attacks
Last month, 3 hunters were attacked in Montana. They were injured, but luckily had bear spray to help them fend off the attacks.
The three hunters were injured from bear attacks (possibly the same bear) in the area of southwestern Montana. Wildlife officials said the attacks were separate and occurred less than 12 hours of each other.
An investigation was underway to determine if the same bear attacked the men in the Gravelly Mountains area, which is regularly frequented by grizzly bears, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks spokesman Morgan Jacobsen said on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The first attack happened on Monday around 7:30 a.m. near Black Butte, the highest peak in the mountain range. Two elk hunters said a bear charged at them and injured them. The men were able to drive it away and eventually made it small nearby town where they sought medical treatment.
The second attack happened around 6:30 p.m. that same day and less than a mile away from the first attack. Two hunters were attacked, but only one was injured before the men were eventually able to drive it away. The injured man subsequently received treatment in two separate towns.
All four men are from out of state and the extent of their injuries remains unknown, Jacobsen said.
He added that both hunting parties had bear spray, a non-lethal deterrent designed to stop aggressive behavior in bears, but couldn’t confirm if they had used it on the animal.
The grizzly population in and around Yellowstone National Park, which includes the Gravelly range, has increased from an estimated 136 bears when they were granted federal protection in the mid-1970s to about 700 today.
What to Do in a Bear Attack
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Black bear attacks should be handled differently from brown or grizzly bear attacks.
The NPS says: “If a black bear charges and attacks you, FIGHT BACK WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE! Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bear’s face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself.”
A different strategy would be required for grizzly bears. One should play dead and not fight back, according to the statement on the web page: “Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Lay flat on your stomach, and spread your legs apart. Keep your pack on, it will help protect you during an attack. Stay still and don’t make any noise—you’re trying to convince the bear that you aren’t a threat to it or its cubs. Do not get up right away because the bear may still be in the area. Wait several minutes until you are sure that the bear is gone.”
The NPS says that bluff charges are common from the bears, and in such cases it’s recommended not to run, otherwise it might trigger the bear to attack.
In case of a bluff charge, “Stand your ground. Be ready for the bear to make contact in case the charge is not a bluff charge. Know how to protect and defend yourself in case the bear turns aggressive,” states the webpage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
