Hunters Are Reminded That Bears Are Still Active

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After five hunter-bear encounters in southwest Montana since early September, FWP officials remind hunters in grizzly bear country to be aware of bears out looking for food before winter denning. A hunter was injured on Tuesday morning by a bear near Mulherin Creek about 5 miles northwest of Gardiner. Officials have not yet been able to determine what type of bear it was.

In the surprise encounter, the hunter was struck by the bear and sustained multiple serious facial injuries.

This is the fifth hunter-bear encounter in the Gardiner area since Sept. 9. Four of the incidents resulted in injuries to the hunters. Two of the incidents resulted in dead bears. All four of the previous encounters involved female grizzles with cubs.

Bears are currently at the end of a period called hyperphagia when they are in constant search of food before winter denning. Bears are still finding food sources such as apples that have fallen from trees and are digging for roots and nuts. They are also attracted to carcasses and gut piles left by hunters and may key in to elk calls made by hunters.

Two of the five hunters had bear spray with them, but only one had it accessible and ready for use. Grizzly bear specialist, Kevin Frey, recommends carrying bear spray at all times when hunting in grizzly country.

"In general, bear spray is the best defensive tool we have for surprise encounters," said Frey.

There are inherent risks when hunting in grizzly bear areas. Steps hunters can take include:

· Hunt in pairs or groups

· Make plenty of noise

· Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and have it on your belt or person and ready for use

· Remain aware and alert to your surroundings

· Be aware of gut piles left by other hunters in the area. Scavenger activity may provide clues to the location of gut piles

· If a hunter is successful, be diligent about removing the carcass from the field. If a carcass is left at the kill site overnight, approach it with caution

· Be aware of national forest food and game animal carcass storage regulations

· Plan ahead for an encounter; think through what you would do in different circumstances

· If you are attacked, play dead. Bears often leave a scene if they don’t feel threatened. Remain still until you are sure the bear has moved on

As long as mild weather conditions continue, bears will remain active at all elevations where a variety of food sources are still available.