Three hunters survive grizzly bear attack in Montana
Three hunters are lucky to be alive following two separate grizzly bear attacks last Monday, which occurred on the west side of the Gravelly Mountains in Montana. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP), their injuries were “moderate to severe” and were all caused by the same bear; however, Montana FWP isn’t sure which bear that is.
While the investigation is on-going, here’s what they know:
The first attack occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the bear “charged two adult male hunters as they were heading south from Cottonwood Creek, west of Black Butte.” While injured, the men were able to get away and get medical treatment in Ennis.
The second attack occurred in about the same area at 6:30 p.m. Two adult hunters were heading north toward Cottonwood Creek. Fortunately, only one hunter was injured and both were able to get away. The injured hunter was initially treated in Sheridan before heading to Butte.
Montana FWP game wardens are requesting that hunters leave the area. Cottonwood Road in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is currently closed.
Check out these articles by Dave Barnett that cover ways to stay safe in grizzly country:
Crazy. I hunted that same area around that timeframe. Saw black bear tracks but never actually saw any bear.
This is a bear that needs to be eliminated!
Correction Lady Ga Ga’s meat suit.
Hold the Democratic National convention here and have the candidates wear Madonna’s meat suit.
I agree with mike w. Relocating problem bears here makes this mountain range like the San Quentin of the bear population. Seems hunters are attacked here every year.
How about we quit relocating problem bears from W. Yellowstone into this area.
Sending them to the Bay area would help with their transient homeless population. Arron W. I think you are on to something. Could probably use a few on the East Coast, as well.
Trap the bear and reintroduce it to the San Francisco bay area. They want them, they can have them... and the wolves too.
+1 to Marc M
First of all, there are too many grizzly bears. They need to be hunted to create some fear of humans. I don't archery hunt this region of Montana, but if I did I would pack a defense shotgun on a front sling. It would be annoying and heavy, but it would be much more of a comfort than a can of bear spray. If the first group was set up in this fashion the bear would most likely have been dead and the second group wouldn't have been attacked at 6:30pm. ( If it was in fact the same bear). Tired of all the PC BS just shoot the bastards.