Man shoots bear after attack in Flathead National Forest

A 72-year-old man shot and seriously injured a grizzly bear in Montana.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was picking blueberries alone on Flathead National Forest land about 2 miles (3 kilometers) north of Columbia Falls last Thursday when an adult female grizzly attacked him, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said Friday. Columbia Falls is a city of about 5,500 people in northwest Montana, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) from Helena.

The man then shot the bear with a pistol and killed it, but suffered serious injuries that required him to be hospitalized.

“FWP concluded that this was a surprise defensive encounter,” the agency said, adding that it was working to confirm whether any of the adult female’s cubs were in the area.

The man’s condition is not yet known and the agency did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for an update on his injuries or whether any cubs were spotted near the scene.

Bears in Montana

Montana is home to both grizzly bears and black bears, the former being the state’s official animal.

According to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, grizzly bears are protected under state and federal law, while black bears are treated as wild animals.

What to do if you encounter a bear?

The park service recommends that you keep the following in mind when exploring the backcountry:

Be alert, be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to signs.
Make noise, especially in places with limited visibility or when sound is muffled (e.g. near streams or when it is windy).
Carry bear spray with you and know how to use it.
Hike in large groups of three or more people and avoid venturing into the wilderness alone.
If you encounter a bear, do not run away, but back away slowly.
If you see a bear, notify authorities immediately.
If you see cubs, be especially cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their cubs. Do not approach, touch, or interact with the cubs.

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