Turkey hunter shoots at charging grizzly bear

A turkey hunter shot at a charging grizzly bear Sunday near Creston.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman John Fraley said the hunter was walking near a deer carcass when the hunter heard something and looked up to see a grizzly charging him at close range. The hunter fired his shotgun at the grizzly from about 10 yards. Fraley said the hunter was uncertain if his shot hit the bear. The bear was with two yearlings. They were in the area of the Creston National Fish Hatchery.

The adult grizzly and what appeared to be two yearlings ran away to the east of the fish hatchery, Fraley said.

The hunter notified Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and wardens Chuck Bartos and Nathan Reiner, along with Tim Manley, bear management specialist, responded to the incident. Fraley said they could find no blood at the scene, although investigators found grizzly bear tracks in snow. FWP observed the area from a helicopter but did not see the bear and cubs, according to Fraley. Cameras were installed near the deer carcass to monitor the area, Fraley said..