Grizzly bear attacks 72-year-old from Montana; man fires gun to save himself

Before he shot the bear with a gun, the man was seriously injured and hospitalized, the wildlife agency said in a statement. The agency did not immediately respond to questions about the man’s identity Sunday morning.

The incident occurred in the Flathead National Forest, about two miles north of Columbia Falls, a town of 5,500 about a four-hour drive northwest of Helena, Montana’s capital.

Dillon Tabish, a spokesman for the agency, told The Associated Press that wildlife officials have set up cameras in the area to watch for cubs. Even if cubs are found, it is not certain they will be captured because it is difficult to find facilities that will take young grizzlies.

“Depending on their age, we may leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival, rather than having to euthanize them,” Tabish said.

Grizzly bears are protected as endangered species in the lower 48 states under the Endangered Species Act, according to the U.S. Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

According to FWP, they are the official wildlife species of Montana and live primarily in the western part of the state, but are increasingly appearing in areas they have not been in for decades.

The agency said it shot and killed another grizzly bear on Thursday after a month and a half of reports that the bear had become conditioned to obtain unsafe food and break into homes in and around Gardiner, Montana.

Authorities said residents and tourists should realize that “Montana is bear country” and that it is better to avoid bears than to deal with them.

Bear attacks are rare, but if one does cross your path, it’s not advisable to run away or climb a tree, The Washington Post previously reported.

While traveling in groups and having bear spray on hand are good ways to avoid confrontations, the National Park Service says that during a brown bear or grizzly attack, it’s best to avoid death.

“Lie flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck,” the NPS said. “Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area.”

Fighting back usually increases the intensity of an attack, the NPS says, but if the bear persists, “fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to strike the bear in the face.”

If you come face to face with a black bear, the NPS said, don’t play dead, but try to escape by moving slowly and sideways. If escape is not possible, fight the bear by focusing on its face and snout.