Three hunters were injured Monday in two separate grizzly bear attacks northwest of Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The three survivors received moderate to severe injuries. Both attacks involved a single bear, but it’s unclear whether the same bear was involved.
Wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are asking hunters to leave this area while the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest closes the area on the west side of the Gravelly Mountains. Wildlife officials say the first attack happened at about 7:30 am Monday. A bear charged two adult male hunters as they were heading south from Cottonwood Creek, west of Black Butte.
Both hunters were injured but were able to drive the bear away and get medical treatment in Ennis. The second attack happened in the same general area at about 6:30 pm as two adult male hunters were heading north toward Cottonwood Creek.
One of the hunters was injured before they drove the bear away. The injured hunter was initially treated in Sheridan and later in Butte. Details of these attacks are still unclear and both incidents are still under investigation. Wildlife officials warn that as bears prepare to go into hibernation, they are very active in their quest for food supplies.
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