Idaho Authorities Seek Wounded Griz

Idaho Fish and Game officials are concerned about a grizzly bear wounded two weeks ago in the Island Park area.  According to Spokesman Gregg Losinski a group of five hunters were in the process of retrieving a bull elk that had been shot during bow season there when they were charged by the bear.  Losinski says the hunters were carrying a total of five large caliber pistols and one 12-gauge shotgun loaded with BB pellets.  In efforts to repel the charge, Losinski says the group fired twelve shots, at least one of which apparently struck the bear since it left a small blood trail when it retreated.  Later efforts to locate the wounded bear have proven unsuccessful.  Losinski says biologists from the state and the US Forest Service continue to monitor the area for the reappearance of the wounded bear and are asking the public to quickly report any bears they see that appear to be wounded to authorities.  Losinski says this recent incident shows that while firearms may turn a charging bear around, they create lingering worries if the bear is not killed, but only wounded. He emphasizes that it is recommended that bear spray, which has been shown to be highly effective in deterring charging bears, be carried and used whenever possible.