Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed Near Choteau

Hours after their harrowing experience, John and Justin share their story with Director Christy Clark via phone. Photo courtesy of FWP On the evening of May 21st, two landowners engaged in mushroom foraging approximately one mile north of Choteau experienced a significant encounter when an adult female grizzly bear charged at them. In a defensive response, the individuals discharged their firearms, resulting in the bear's death at close range. "I spoke to John and Justin shortly after the incident and they were both still shook up," Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark said in a press release. “They told me their story and it was clear it was very traumatic. What’s important here is they’re ok.” Bear populations are increasingly prevalent along the Rocky Mountain Front and in nearby towns such as Choteau, Ulm, and Cascade, which heightens the probability of encounters between bears and residents or outdoor recreationists. To reduce conflicts with bears, please use precautionary measures. These include carrying bear spray and being prepared to use it immediately, traveling in groups, and generating noise to notify bears of human presence. Additionally, individuals should stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears, and adhere to food storage regulations mandated by the relevant land management agencies. Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food, and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas. If you encounter a bear, never approach it, leave the area when it is safe to do so. Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food-conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana. Despite achieving recovery in certain ecosystems, grizzly bears in the contiguous United States remain classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The management of grizzly populations is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which collaborates closely with several entities, including Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. In this incident, the female bear was accompanied by a cub of the year, and efforts are currently underway by Fish, Wildlife & Parks to capture the cub. Individuals residing in or visiting bear country should remain vigilant and implement appropriate safety measures to avoid hazardous encounters. For more information and resources on bear safety, please visit https://fpc-go.com/bnp.