Hunter Shoots Grizzly Bear Outside Missoula

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says a Missoula County hunter shot and killed a charging grizzly bear in the Seeley-Swan Valley over the weekend.

The run-in is the closest grizzly confrontation to be reported near Missoula and is further proof of the big bears' now populating areas not far from Missoula's urban centers.

While the state plans no further action, the case will be investigated by federal authorities since grizzlies remain on the Endangered Species List.

RELATED: Glacier Hiker Hurt by Grizzly

What happened in the bear attack near Seeley? FWP reports the hunter was in an area south of Placid Lake on Saturday when he says the bear suddenly charged him at a close distance. The agency says the hunter immediately shot the grizzly, killing it. There was no mention of the hunter deploying bear spray.

The hunter wasn't injured. FWP wardens confirmed the grizzly was an adult male.

Following protocol, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be investigating the circumstances of the shooting.

Another example for being "bear aware"

Bear biologists have been seeing more and more evidence of grizzly activity in Missoula County. Grizzlies have been tracked in the Rattlesnake, Lolo, and the north end of the Bitterroot Valley. Three years ago, a traveling cyclist was killed when she was attacked by a bear in her tent while she was staying in Ovando.

FWP says with the bear population becoming denser and "more widespread", it's imperative that all recreational users take precautions, especially with the bears being more active and looking for food before hibernating.

That includes carrying bear spray and knowing how to deploy it, watching for bear sign to avoid a surprise encounter, being careful around hunting "kills", and following proper food storage guidelines.