Bear Closure Implemented
The Gardiner Ranger District has implemented an emergency area closure for the Beattie Gulch area north of Gardiner, Montana to address bear-human safety concerns resulting from a grizzly bears feeding on an elk carcass in the area. Gardiner District Ranger Ron Hecker of Gallatin National Forest says that a hunter shot an elk near the Beattie Gulch trail on the evening of October 26th. The elk carcass quickly attracted multiple grizzly bears that were in the area. Hecker says the hunter did all the right things when hunting in grizzly bear country – he was hunting with a group, had bear spray, and after seeing the bears quickly backed off the carcass and notified agency authorities. Backing away from the food source and not trying to scare the bears away helped ensure the safety of the hunters and the bears. The area will remain closed to human entry until the carcass near Beattie Gulch Trail is consumed.
