Wildlife officials say an archery hunter on the Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area, approximately 30 miles northwest of Choteau, Montana, killed a sow grizzly and wounded what is presumed to be her subadult cub. The cub was later found and euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
The hunter was in thick brush along a creek bottom when he encountered the sow, which he shot and killed with a pistol. He also shot and wounded the 2-year-old cub. A second cub was in the area but not shot.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation by officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
FWP is also working to notify other hunters in the area to encourage them to be cautious.
This area is used by many grizzly and black bears during this time of year as they forage for food to gain weight for winter hibernation. This coincides with archery season in Montana and can often lead to bears and hunters being in close proximity to each other.
(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)