Grizzly Bear Attacks Increase; Bowhunter Kills Sow in Self-Defense

Hunting seasons are open in the Rockies, and grizzly bear attacks are increasing as bears search for food to get ready for winter hibernation.
Grizzly Bear Attacks Increase; Bowhunter Kills Sow in Self-Defense

Hunting seasons are open in the Rockies, and grizzly bear attacks are increasing as bears search for food to get ready for winter hibernation.

That combination of events is creating more interactions between the bears and humans that aren't ending with animal "rights" activists visions of cuddly pic-a-nic basket meals and Disneyesque dance scenes. With hunting seasons thwarted by a judge who ignored common sense and biology, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that bad things can happen.

Another hunter, this one in Montana, shot and killed a grizzly sow and injured its cub recently during a hunt. Officials with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department confirmed the attack and agency's ruling that it was self-defense.

He shot both with a pistol but the Montana FWP didn't provide in-depth details about it. The agency ruled that it was self-defense.

This was the second hunter-bear encounter in Montana the week of Sept. 24-28. Earlier in the week, a bowhunter on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation killed a grizzly that attacked him. The hunter had killed a moose and was getting ready to move it when the grizzly attacked.

He was able to shoot and kill the bear but was transported to a hospital to be treated. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is investigating.

Montana FW&P makes several recommendations for hunters and others in bear country, including:

  • After making a kill — Get the carcass out of the area as quickly as possible.
  • Returning to the carcass — Use special precautions in returning to a carcass, including placing it where it can be easily observed from a good distance.

Those seem easy enough, but when you're dealing with an elk, moose or even a big mule deer it can be challenging to cut up the animal and get out quickly, especially if you're hunting alone. If you're with a buddy or can take one or two back with you for the return, that's helpful. One could stand watch while the others cut and pack, obviously with everyone carrying enough firepower.

 



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