Man in hospital, grizzly bear dead after encounter near Columbia Falls

KALISPELL – A man shot and killed a grizzly bear Thursday after it was attacked while picking berries in northwest Montana, according to the state wildlife agency.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) reports that a 72-year-old man was hospitalized following the incident, which occurred about two miles north of Columbia Falls.

According to a press release, the man was alone off North Fork Road in the Flathead National Forest when the attack occurred.
The man said he shot the bear with a handgun after it attacked him. FWP has “determined this was a surprise defensive encounter,” the press release states.

Game wardens and bear experts went to the area and found that an adult female grizzly bear had been killed.

No further information is currently being released.

FWP has provided the following information on how to be aware of bears when traveling to remote areas:

• Carry bear spray with you and be prepared to use it at a moment’s notice.
• If possible, travel in groups and make noise to alert the bears to your presence.
• Stay away from animal carcasses as they often attract bears.
• Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, digging, torn logs, overturned rocks, and partially eaten animal carcasses.
• Follow the food storage instructions of the relevant land management authority.
• If you encounter a bear, never approach it.
• Store trash, bird feeders, pet food, and other attractants in a secure building from March through December. Store trash in a secure building until pickup day. Certified bear-proof dumpsters are available in many areas.
• Never feed wild animals. Bears that are habituated to food lose their natural foraging behavior and pose a threat to human safety. Feeding bears is illegal in Montana.

Visit https://fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware to learn more about how to “bear aware” in Montana.