Montana hunter injured in bear attack drives home for treatment

<p>A Montana hunter was injured in a bear attack on Monday morning while hunting on state-owned land near Elk Creek and Haystack Butte, south of Augusta. According to a statement from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the man was archery hunting when he encountered the bear and was attacked.</p><p>The hunter drove himself home after the attack and was later transported to Benefis Hospital by private vehicle for treatment. Officials reported that he sustained significant but fortunately not life-threatening injuries.</p><p>The species of the bear involved is currently unknown, and the incident remains under investigation. The man, who is 20 years old, was taken to the hospital on Monday, as reported by Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton.</p><p>During the attack, the man fell into a fetal position, and the bear reportedly smacked him around before leaving. Sheriff Dutton noted that the bear's attack was likely defensive in response to a surprise encounter.</p><p>Montana FWP emphasized that human safety is a priority, urging hunters to retrieve meat quickly and properly hang anything left behind. They advised against cutting up carcasses at dusk or night and recommended carrying strong headlamps if hunting during those times. If hunters must leave animals, they should return to the site carefully and leave the carcass in an area that is easily observable from a distance. Additionally, if a bear has claimed an animal, hunters should not attempt to scare the bear away and should report any lost game to FWP.</p><p>This year has seen a rise in bear-related incidents across the U.S. In May, a hiker in Montana survived a grizzly bear attack on the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park. There has also been an increase in bear-related incidents around Lake Tahoe, with South Lake Tahoe police receiving 174 calls compared to 97 during the same period last year.</p>