GREAT FALLS — Two landowners were picking mushrooms about a mile north of Choteau on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when they were charged by an adult female grizzly bear.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said in a news release that the men shot and killed the bear at close range, and fortunately, they were not injured during the encounter.
FWP director Christy Clark said, "I spoke to John and Justin shortly after the incident and they were both still shook up. They told me their story and it was clear it was very traumatic. What’s important here is they’re okay.”
Bears are active along the Rocky Mountain Front and in areas around towns like Choteau, Valier, Ulm, and Cascade.
A similar incident happened near Dupuyer on April 11, when a man shot and killed a charging grizzly bear. The man was searching for antlers on a brushy hillside when he first saw a bear.
As he was leaving the area, the bear charged him at close range; he shot and killed the bear. Fortunately, the man was not injured.
FWP says that the bear was an adult female grizzly in good condition with no history of conflict and was estimated to be 13 years old, and weighed about 250 pounds.
The bear had a single yearling cub that was found on site, unharmed. No management action will be taken for the yearling.
If you are experiencing conflicts with bears, you're advised to contact a FWP bear specialist by clicking here.
- WATCH: grizzly with five cubs in Yellowstone
- Man kills charging grizzly near Dupuyer
- Grizzly bears in the Little Belt Mountains
- Grizzly chases hunter up a tree in Montana
- Man injured in grizzly bear attack
FWP tips for hunting and recreating in bear country
- Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it.
- Make noise to alert bears of your presence and travel and hunt in groups when possible.
- Be extra cautious around creeks, and in areas with limited visibility. Most attacks happen in surprise, close encounters.
- Watch for signs of bears such as scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses, and be extra aware or avoid these areas.
- Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears. If field dressing an animal, bring what is needed to remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible and have bear spray close at hand.
- If you need to leave the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet of the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
- Upon your return, observe with binoculars first. Make noise when approaching, and if anything has been disturbed by a bear, leave and call FWP.
Visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware for more information on living, working, and recreating in bear country.
