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Grizzly bear next to archery hunter
Most people who go hunting on a regular basis know there’s a risk of becoming the hunted if you cross paths with a predator in the wild. That was the case with one man in Montana, who had to endure a lengthy walk to safety before arriving at the hospital where he was treated for his wounds after being attacked by a bear.
Montana is home to more than 30 million acres of public land, and you have plenty of options to pick from if you want to do some hunting in Big Sky Country.
The state offers licenses for anyone hoping to track down more than 15 distinct species of animals, and the start of September marks the beginning of open season for hunters who are hoping to use a bow and arrow to bag bigger game, including deer, wolves, mountain lions, and black bears.
The first animal on that list tends to be the most popular target, and you want to keep your head on a swivel for the other three if you embark in the territory where they’re known to roam. Unfortunately, one man was unable to avoid an encounter that triggered a fairly harrowing ordeal.
A bow hunter in Montana had to walk three miles to his car before driving to seek treatment after being attacked by a bear
According to KRTV, an unidentified 20-year-old man was doing some archery hunting on Monday, September 14th in the vicinity of Augusta when he was targeted by a bear while crossing Elk Creek.
The animal “smacked him around” as he curled into the fetal position, and he was left with what the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks described as “significant” injuries after the bear moved on.
He informed authorities of the attack via a phone call at 1:25 P.M. and proceeded to make the approximately three-mile trek back to his car before driving another 25 minutes to meet up with his father. The duo then spent another 30 minutes driving to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he underwent surgery for unspecified wounds (which weren’t considered life-threatening).
It’s unclear which species of bear was responsible, although one of the estimated 2,000 grizzlies that call Montana home seems like the most likely culprit given their relatively aggressive behavior toward humans compared to black bears.