Creston turkey hunter charged by grizzlies

Of all places, a turkey hunter encountered and was charged by a grizzly bear and two yearling cubs near the Creston National Fish Hatchery Saturday morning.

According to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the hunter was walking along when he spotted a deer carcass.

He heard something and looked up to see a grizzly bear charging him at close range. The hunter fired his shotgun at the bear from about 10 yards away, but was uncertain whether his shot hit the bear.

The bear, and what appeared to be two yearling cubs, ran away from the fish hatchery area, which is located east of Kalispell.

The hunter notified Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and wardens Chuck Bartos and Nathan Reiner responded along with Tim Manley, a state grizzly bear management specialist.

They could find no blood at the scene although they did locate grizzly bear tracks in skiffs of snow that quickly melted.

In the interest of public safety, a helicopter was used to survey the area but no sign of the bear could be found.

Warden Captain Lee Anderson asks the public to notify Tim Manley at 250-1265 with any information regarding the bears.