The father and his adult son who live in the Kalispell area, were hunting black bears on the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir near the Dry Park area when the female grizzly bear charged and attacked the son. The bear grabbed the son’s right arm at his elbow. The father reportedly started shooting at the bear with a .44-caliber pistol while his son’s arm was still in the clench of the grizzly. The bear released and two more shots were reportedly fired, the final shot at very close range as the bear turned toward the father.
According to the FWP investigation, the pair of hunters were pursuing a black bear along steep slopes and thick vegetation when the attack happened at about 9 a.m. They reported seeing the brush moving about 25 to 30 yards away but didn’t see the bear until it was 12 feet away. After the attack, the injured victim and his father drove to the hospital for medical attention. Neither individual was carrying bear spray.
The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Human Attack Response Team investigated the attack site following the incident, and returned to the scene again Monday when they reportedly discovered the dead bear.
"the final shot at close range," was probably the one that did the grizzly in. Always carry in bear country.
