A Montana hunter sustained significant but not life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a bear while archery hunting Monday south of Augusta. The man managed to drive himself to a hospital for treatment following the encounter.
The incident occurred on state-owned land near Elk Creek and Haystack Butte. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the hunter was attacked after encountering the bear. Officials stated the victim fell into a fetal position during the attack, after which the bear "smacked him around and left."
The species of the bear involved in the attack is currently unknown, and the incident remains under investigation. This comes as wildlife officials are reminding hunters to be particularly cautious when handling animal carcasses, especially during dusk or at night.
FWP officials urge hunters to retrieve meat as quickly as possible and to properly hang any portions left behind. If hunters must leave an animal, they should return to the site carefully and ensure the carcass is in an easily observable area. Hunters are advised not to attempt to haze or frighten away a bear that has claimed an animal and to report any lost game to FWP.
FWP stated that human safety is their top priority. They also advised hunters to carry strong headlamps if they anticipate needing to process a carcass in the dark and to remain extra vigilant for bears.
This is not the first serious bear encounter in Montana this year. In May, a hiker survived a grizzly bear attack on the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park. Additionally, bear-related incidents have seen a sharp increase around Lake Tahoe, with South Lake Tahoe police responding to 174 calls this year compared to 97 during the same period last year.