Haskill Basin access reopens after bear attack

Access to Haskill Basin north of Whitefish has been reopened following a bear attack in the area last week.

Wildlife officials on Monday lifted the temporary closure on F.H. Stoltze land in section 21 and state land in Section 16 located west of Haskill Creek Road. The area was closed Oct. 16 after a man, his grown daughter and their dogs surprised a female adult grizzly and her two cubs feeding on a deer carcass about 35 yards off the road. The man was able to deter the bear during the attack with pepper spray. He suffered bites to the wrist, shoulder and head.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks place cameras at the scene the morning following the attack. The cameras captured images of a family group of three grizzly bears at the site two days after the encounter, but they are believed to be different bears from those involved in the attack.

The bears involved in the attack are believed to be a sow with cubs of the year. The bears on the camera are believed to be a sow with yearlings.

According to an FWP press release, the bears appeared to have moved from the scene once they discovered there was no food reward at the attack site. No other bears were seen on the cameras for the next five days and the cameras were pulled Sunday evening.

FWP is not proposing any further action at this location and reminds people to be careful when recreating in the area. Hunters and other recreationists are advised to carry and know how to use bear pepper spray.