Marias hunters: Beware wounded grizzly

Wildlife officials say two groups of people have been charged by grizzly bears in the Marias Pass area southeast of Glacier National Park and they’re warning hunters to be careful and keep their bear spray handy.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks grizzly bear management specialist Mike Madel said that an elk hunter from Minnesota shot and wounded a sow grizzly bear that charged him about two miles east of Marias Pass on Monday.

The bear had two cubs with her.

Madel says the injured bear ran off and officials have been unable to locate it.

Another hunter was charged about a half-mile from Marias Pass on Sunday and also fired a shot, but wasn’t sure if the bear was struck. Madel says it’s likely the same bear.

Until the bear in Hunting District 415 is located, state and federal officials recommend avoiding this area. The wounded grizzly bear makes this situation dangerous to anyone in the area.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is bringing in a helicopter to try to locate the bear and assess options to reduce the danger to hunters.

Hunters are reminded to carry bear spray and use extra caution when in the field or retrieving harvested animals.