Grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are in an annual stage called “hyperphagia” as they prepare for winter hibernation. Combined with the stealth of archery hunters, that makes encounters more common.Frank van Manen/USGS
BIG SKY — Three archery hunters are uninjured after two recent encounters with grizzly bears in the Taylor Fork region south of Big Sky.
The first encounter involved two hunters on Sept. 29. They were hunting in the vicinity of a known elk carcass when they saw a grizzly bear. To make their presence known, the hunters yelled at the bear. The bear reportedly came toward the hunters, and they each fired once with handguns. Both the bear and the hunters left the site without further incident.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff learned of the encounter on Oct. 1, and after interviewing the hunters, determined it was unlikely the bear was injured.