Investigators work leads in grizzly shooting

Federal and state officials are investigating the recent shooting death of a grizzly bear near Troy.

A dead adult grizzly was discovered several miles up a trail located along Pine Creek Road and investigators are working on a possible lead. The bear was shot sometime between Saturday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Officers are seeking information about a vehicle of interest described as an early 2000s year green or blue Chevrolet extended-cab pickup with a topper, or, a green or blue Suburban. The vehicle has Washington license plates.

In addition, investigators are seeking a person of interest associated with the vehicle – a man in his 50s described as in good physical condition with a gray beard.

For those who have information about the vehicle or other information related to the killing of the grizzly bear, call Montana FWP Game Warden Phil Kilbreath at 291-6539, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Rick Branzell at 329-3000, or 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of $2,000 for information that leads to a conviction. An additional reward of up to $1,000 may also be paid through Tip-Mont.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records show the grizzly’s death represents the 11th caused by humans since 2006 in the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem. Over the past five years, 11 of 14 grizzly mortalities were human-related – seven in the United States and four in British Columbia.

The grizzly deaths within the American portion of the ecosystem included two that were determined to be self-defense and one identified as a poaching. Two others remain under investigation, including the most recent. Other causes of death have included being hit by a train and mistakenly identified as a black bear.

Wayne Kasworm of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified about 40 grizzly bears as being alive in the regional ecosystem – 25 of those in the Yaak and 15 more in the Cabinets.