Grizzly survives after charging hunter, getting shot near Condon

CONDON — A female grizzly with two cubs who was shot Wednesday when she charged a hunter in the Kraft Creek drainage near here has apparently survived.

The hunter immediately contacted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which tracked the bear on the ground and in the air as she moved west toward the Mission Mountains.

“The determination was made that the bear was not mortally wounded,” FWP spokesman John Fraley reported.

The hunter fired a shot after the grizzly charged to within 50 feet of him. Fraley said wardens discovered a deer carcass about 75 yards away that the grizzly and her two cubs had been feeding on.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Department, Two-Bear Aviation and pilot Jim Bob Pierce helped FWP track the wounded bear.

The investigation continues, and Fraley reminded people to carry bear pepper spray when hunting in grizzly country, adding that experts say it is more effective than a firearm in stopping a bear.

[Great, so now there’s a wounded mother bear out there trying to avoid hunters and raise her two cubs in peace].

Photo Copyright Jim Robertson