A 72-year-old Montana man survived a terrifying experience by fending off a grizzly bear attack while foraging for huckleberries. This incident took place in the Flathead National Forest, situated roughly two miles north of Columbia Falls.

The man was alone in the forest when an adult female grizzly charged at him. Despite suffering serious injuries, he managed to shoot and kill the bear with his handgun. Following the attack, the injured man was quickly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) believe the bear was likely defending her cubs. Dillon Tabish, an FWP spokesperson, explained, “It appears the bear was acting to protect her young.” Wildlife workers are currently searching for any cubs left in the area. The decision on whether to capture the cubs or leave them in the wild will depend on their age and ability to survive independently.

On the same day as the attack, FWP officers dealt with another grizzly bear issue in Gardiner, Montana. This bear had been frequently breaking into homes and searching for food around the town near Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife officials decided to euthanize the bear after finding it near the Yellowstone River, approximately 300 miles south of Columbia Falls.

This event highlights the ongoing challenges of living near grizzly bear habitats in Montana. Bears often venture into human areas, attracted by the scent of food, leading to dangerous encounters. While wildlife managers typically try to relocate problematic bears, they resort to euthanasia when a bear poses a persistent threat to human safety.

In light of these incidents, FWP officials continue to stress the importance of securing trash and eliminating outdoor food sources to minimize bear encounters. They also provide education on how to coexist safely with wildlife, aiming to prevent such dangerous situations in the future.

The man’s survival and bravery serve as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous interactions between humans and wildlife in the Montana wilderness.