Father and son injured in grizzly attack

A Flathead Valley father and son were hospitalized with significant injuries after being attacked by a grizzly bear on timberland located near Smith Lake, north of Whitefish Lake, on Saturday morning.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials, the father and son were hunting along a gated road when the grizzly bear charged out of a thick, wooded area along the road at close range. The two individuals sustained significant injuries before they were able to shoot and kill the bear.

The pair were transported by the ALERT helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for treatment. The area where the incident occurred is in the King Creek drainage along Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land and private timberland.

The FWP Region 1 Wildlife Human Attack Response Team conducted an investigation and found a deer carcass cached in the thick timber along the edge of the road adjacent to where the attack occurred.

FWP inspected the dead bear and identified it as an adult female estimated to be nearly 20 years old. It did not have any history of conflict or other management actions. It is believed to have at least one offspring at the time of the incident. FWP has set up cameras in the area to help identify the potential offspring. No management action is planned at this time, according to the the press release.

There are no formal closures in the area.

“Based on the evidence gathered at the scene and interviews with the victims, we believe this was a surprise encounter involving an adult female grizzly bear defending a food source and her offspring,” FWP Regional Game Warden Captain Lee Anderson said.

Bear attacks on humans are rare, but Montana is bear country with populations of grizzly and black bears that frequent higher and lower elevations. Bear are increasingly active and seeking food in the fall months before denning season. Bears typically enter their dens for the winter beginning in late November.

Residents are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. In northwest Montana, to report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.

General tips to stay safe in bear country: — Carry and know how to use bear spray.

— Stay alert and look for bear activity, especially where visibility and hearing are limited.

— Hiking in a group will decrease the chances of surprising a bear. A group of people is more likely to deter an encounter, and bears will be able to see, hear, and smell the people more easily. — Make your presence known by making noise, especially when near streams or in thick forest where visibility is low. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present.

— Use caution in areas like berry patches where bears occur. — Avoid carcass sites and scavenger concentrations — Hunters should be prepared to cut up the carcass of a harvested animal in the dark by carrying strong headlamps. Be extra vigilant and watch for bears.