Idaho elk hunter shoots and kills a female grizzly bear after it charged at him in ‘surprise’ attack near Henrys Lake State Park
Idaho elk hunter shoots and kills a female grizzly bear after it charged at him during a ‘surprise attack’ near Henrys Lake State Park
- After the hunter shouted at his partner, the grizzly charged straight at him
- Fearing for his life, he frantically fired several shots with a sidearm
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An elk hunter in Idaho shot and killed a grizzly bear in self-defense after the animal attacked him directly during a “surprise encounter.”
The male was making his way through heavy brush near Henrys Lake State Park when a large female grizzly emerged from the brush a short distance away.
After the hunter shouted at his partner, the grizzly charged straight at him. Fearing for his life, he frantically fired several shots with a sidearm, killing the bear before he could reach them.
The hunter, who was not publicly identified, immediately called the Citizens Against Poaching hotline and agents from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game responded to investigate.
“It was determined that the hunter acted in self-defense during a surprise encounter with the bear at very close range,” wildlife officials said, referring to the incident on Saturday.
The elk hunter was making his way through heavy timber near Henrys Lake State Park when a large female grizzly emerged from the brush a short distance away ( Stock Image)
The incident occurred northwest of Henrys Lake
Officials reminded hunters that grizzly bears are protected under state and federal law, and encounters are possible in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Idaho areas.
The department encouraged visitors hunting in grizzly bear areas to carry bear spray and keep it accessible, hunt with partners, watch for signs of the animals and retrieve the meat quickly and keep it at least 10 feet above the ground and 200 feet. meters off the ground. camp.
Most attacks occur after a bear is surprised at close range, officials said, advising visitors to make noise around creeks and dense vegetation during periods when they are not hunting.
It is illegal to kill grizzly bears in Idaho unless it is in self-defense. Grizzly bears in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act, although Idaho officials have lobbied the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the bears.
At least one other grizzly in Idaho has been killed in self-defense in recent weeks.
Archery hunters near Island Park Reservoir, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Henrys Lake, shot and killed a male grizzly on September 5 after it charged toward them, the Idaho Statesman reports.
Henrys Lake State Park (image). After the hunter shouted at his partner, the grizzly attacked him directly. He fired several shots with a sidearm, killing the bear before he could reach them