Bear Attacks Hunter on Labor Day

At 7 a.m. on Labor Day, a hunter called Gallatin County 911 after being attacked by a bear. The hunter, a 69-year-old local man, had an encounter with a sow bear and cubs and sustained injuries to his shoulder and hip.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue in Big Sky, Big Sky Fire Department, Montana Highway Patrol, and Yellowstone Club Security all responded to help the victim. First responders were able to walk the victim to the road and a waiting ambulance. He was then transported to Big Sky Medical Center according to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

The victim suspects he ventured too close to a nearby kill site at Flattop Mountain outside Big Sky where another hunter had harvested an animal a couple of days before.

As the summer season comes to a close, bears become more active and begin to prepare for winter and hibernation. This process is called hyperphagia and it's when bears eat and drink nearly nonstop and are always on the hunt for food in order to prepare for the winter months.

In light of the recent attack, Sheriff Brian Gootkin reminds hunters and hikers that

bears more actively search for food in the fall and can be protective of their food sources. When hunting or hiking in bear country, always have some form of repellent easily accessible on you. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged in case you have an emergency and need to use it.

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