In a jaw-dropping tale of survival, a 72-year-old man found himself in a life-or-death struggle with a grizzly bear while simply picking huckleberries in Montana’s untamed wilderness. The unidentified man, alone in the dense forest, was suddenly charged by an enraged female grizzly last Thursday, leaving him with severe injuries, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials.
Berry-picking man kills grizzly bear in Montana after it attacks: A 72-year-old man picking huckleberries in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear after it attacked in a surprise encounter and injured him badly enough that he had to be hospitalized,… https://t.co/frhJ33RlvB pic.twitter.com/h6BynoM6rF
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Amid the chaos, this elderly hero managed to draw his handgun and, with astonishing precision, shoot the attacking bear dead. Rushed to a nearby hospital, his incredible story has captivated many. Dillon Tabish, an agency spokesperson, suggested that the bear might have been a mother defending her cubs. Wildlife workers are now scouring the area for any orphaned cubs, their fate uncertain if discovered.
This dramatic encounter took place in the rugged Flathead National Forest, about 2 miles north of Columbia Falls, a sleepy northwestern Montana town with a population of around 5,500. On the same day, another grizzly-related incident unfolded. Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials were compelled to shoot an adult female grizzly near Gardner, just north of Yellowstone National Park. This bear had been breaking into homes and stealing food, eventually leading to her demise in the Yellowstone River, 300 miles south of Columbia Falls.
A 72-year-old man shot and killed a grizzly bear in Montana after it charged and attacked him on Friday. He has since been hospitalized. https://t.co/tzAanK5Cwt
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The Gardner bear had grown notorious for scavenging garbage and barbecue grills left outside by residents, prompting officials to take drastic measures. Wildlife managers often attempt to capture and relocate problem bears, but those involved in human attacks or deemed likely to continue causing issues are typically euthanized.
Western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, and western Montana are home to about 2,000 grizzly bears, with thousands more roaming the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. These formidable creatures, capable of weighing up to 700 pounds, are currently listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in the contiguous United States. However, officials in Rocky Mountain states are pushing to lift this protected status, potentially opening the door to future hunting.
Major Points
- A 72-year-old man fought off and killed a grizzly bear that attacked him while he was picking huckleberries in Montana.
- The man, who remains unidentified, was left with serious injuries but managed to shoot the bear with a handgun.
- The attack occurred in Flathead National Forest, about 2 miles north of Columbia Falls.
- On the same day, another female grizzly was shot by wildlife officials near Yellowstone National Park for repeatedly breaking into homes.
- Grizzly bears are a threatened species in the contiguous U.S., but officials in Rocky Mountain states are pushing to lift their protected status.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News