GREAT FALLS — A man was attacked by a sow bear with cubs in Gallatin County on Monday morning, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office said in a news release that Gallatin County 911 received a call at around 7 a.m. from a hunter who had been attacked by a bear.
The 69-year-old man, who is from the area, said he suspected he had gotten too close to a kill site near Flattop Mountain where a friend had recently harvested an animal. The sow attacked him and injured his shoulder and hip.
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue in Big Sky, Big Sky Fire, Montana Highway Patrol, and Yellowstone Club Security responded and were able to walk the man out to a waiting ambulance.
The man was then taken to Big Sky Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. There is no word yet on the extent of the man's injuries, his current condition, or what kind of bear attacked him; we will update you if we get more information.
Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin reminded hunters and hikers in the new release that bears more actively search for food in the fall and can be protective of their food sources. He also advised that when hunting or hiking in bear country, always have some form of repellent easily accessible on you, and make sure your cell phone is charged in case you have an emergency and need to use it.
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