Antler hunter kills federally protected grizzly bear charging his way, Montana officials say

A man had been looking for antlers when a grizzly bear charged at him, so he killed it, Montana wildlife officials said.

The incident happened Friday, April 11, near Dupuyer, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said in a news release.

He initially saw the bear while on a “brushy hillside,” officials said.

As he left the area, he saw the animal again, and it charged from a “close range,” officials said.

The antler hunter shot and killed the 250-pound female bear.

Wildlife officials said she was about 13 years old and did not have a history of conflict.

Grizzly bears have been listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1975 in the lower 48 states.

They are protected at a state and federal level, making it illegal to “harm, harass, or kill grizzly bears, except in cases of self defense or the defense of others.”

Dupuyer is in northwestern Montana, about a 230-mile drive north from Bozeman.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

• There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.
• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.
• Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.
• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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