An elk hunter shot a grizzly bear multiple times on Tuesday after the animal charged him near Sun River Canyon, west of Augusta.
An elk hunter shot a charging grizzly bear Tuesday morning near the Sun River Canyon west of Augusta on the Rocky Mountain Front.
The encounter took place mid-morning, according to Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens.
The Great Falls-area hunter surprised a grizzly at the head of Home Gulch, about three miles south of the Sun River Canyon Road, wardens said.
The hunter told wardens he fired a warning shot in the air, but the bear charged him anyway.
The hunter shot at the bear and said he thought he hit it three times. The bear turned and ran, and the hunter left the area, then notified FWP.
An FWP bear management specialist flew over the area later Tuesday, but could not see any sign of the bear. FWP game wardens are on the ground searching today, trying to locate the animal.
The U.S. Forest Service has posted warnings in the area, which is popular among elk hunters. FWP’s Augusta check stationed also has warnings posted for hunters.
Montana’s general elk and deer season ends Sunday, Nov. 26.
