Elk NetworkTwo Hunters Injured by Grizzly in Northwest Montana

General | November 2, 2020

Below is a news release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

On the morning of Oct. 31, 2020, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 Wildlife Human Attack Response Team responded to a bear attack on timberland near Smith Lake north of Whitefish Lake.

FWP received a report of a father and son from the Flathead Valley hunting along a gated road when a grizzly bear charged out of a thick, wooded area along the road at very close range. The two individuals sustained significant injuries before they were able to shoot and kill the bear.

The ALERT Air Ambulance transported the individuals to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The area where the incident occurred is in the King Creek drainage along Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land and private timberland.

The Wildlife Human Attack Response Team conducted the investigation. A deer carcass was cached in the thick timber along the edge of the road adjacent to where the attack occurred. FWP inspected the dead bear and identified it as an adult female estimated to be nearly 20 years old. It did not have any history of conflict or other management actions. It is believed to have at least one offspring at the time of the incident. FWP set up cameras in the area to help identify the potential offspring. No management action is planned at this time.

There are no formal closures in the area.

“Based on the evidence gathered at the scene and interviews with the victims, we believe this was a surprise encounter involving an adult female grizzly bear defending a food source and her offspring,” FWP Regional Game Warden Captain Lee Anderson said.

Bear attacks on humans are rare, but Montana is bear country with populations of grizzly and black bears that frequent higher and lower elevations. Bears are increasingly active and seeking food in the fall months before denning season. Bears typically enter their dens for the winter beginning in late November.

Residents are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. In northwest Montana, to report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.

(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)