Grizzly bear attacks 72-year-old in Montana; man saves himself with gun

Before he killed the bear with a gun, the man suffered significant injuries and had to be hospitalized, the conservation authority said in a statement. Questions about the man’s identity were not immediately answered Sunday morning.

The incident occurred in the Flathead National Forest, about two miles north of Columbia Falls, a town of 5,500 residents about four hours 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 look for cubs, but even if they find any, there is no guarantee 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 there than having to euthanize them,” Tabish said.

According to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, grizzly bears are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in the 48 continental states.

They are the official animal of Montana and live primarily in the western part of the state, according to FWP, but are increasingly encroaching on areas they have not inhabited 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 unsecured food and break into homes in and around Gardiner, Montana.

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

Bear attacks are rare, but if you do come across one, it is not advisable to run away or climb a tree, as the Washington Post previously reported.

While traveling in groups and carrying bear spray are good ways to avoid confrontation, the National Park Service recommends playing dead if attacked by a brown or grizzly bear.

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

Fighting back will usually increase the intensity of an attack, the NPS says, but if the bear doesn’t give up, “fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to strike the bear in the face.”

If you’re confronted by a black bear, don’t play dead, but try to escape by moving slowly and sideways, the NPS said. If escape isn’t possible, engage the bear by focusing on its face and muzzle.