Fatal Encounter: Montana Men Forced to Kill Charging Mama Bear in Self-Defense

Two men in Montana killed a mama grizzly bear in self-defense after she charged at them while they were scouting for hunting season. One of the men was accidentally shot in the back shoulder during the incident. Wildlife officials ruled the bear's death as self-defense, as the men had surprised her and her cub. Grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species, and it is illegal to harm or kill them unless it is in self-defense or defense of others. The mama bear had no history of conflict with humans and was previously tagged for population monitoring. The fate of the cub, if it is healthy, will be determined by continued monitoring. Safety tips for encountering bears are also provided.