Archery Hunters Kill Grizzly Bear After It Bites One of Them

On Sunday, an alarming incident unfolded near Yellowstone National Park when two archery hunters found themselves in a dangerous situation with a grizzly bear. The encounter resulted in the bear being shot and killed.

The two friends were elk hunting in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, located west of Henry’s Lake in Island Park, when the bear suddenly attacked. According to the Idaho Fish and Game Department, the adult male grizzly knocked one of the hunters to the ground before biting him.

In response to the attack, the men reacted quickly and began firing their semi-automatic pistols at the bear, ultimately killing it. They immediately contacted emergency services for assistance following the incident.

The injured hunter was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he received treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening. The timely response of medical personnel was crucial in ensuring his care.

Numerous emergency services, including the Idaho Fish and Game Department, rushed to the site to assess the situation and ensure safety. Subsequently, conservation officers conducted an investigation into the shooting of the bear. They concluded that the hunters had acted in self-defense, validating their actions during the unexpected encounter.

Matt Pieron, a supervisor with the Idaho Fish and Game Department, expressed relief that both hunters survived the frightening ordeal. He shared, “I am extremely grateful that both of these individuals survived this encounter. I have had the opportunity to speak with the injured hunter and his family, and they are truly wonderful people.”

Pieron also offered best wishes for a speedy recovery, recognizing the physical and emotional toll the incident could take on the individuals involved.

Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states, which raises the stakes in such confrontations. The Idaho Fish and Game Department took the opportunity to remind other hunters in the region about the potential for encounters with grizzly bears, especially in the north Idaho and Greater Yellowstone areas.

In light of this incident, government advisories stressing safety around wildlife have also been highlighted. The Yellowstone National Park website advises visitors to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 meters) from other wildlife, including bison and elk.

As such encounters can lead to serious injuries or worse, both hunters and visitors are encouraged to remain vigilant and educated about wildlife behaviors and safety strategies while in bear country.