A run-in between a grizzly bear and two anglers who reportedly scared the bear off with gunfire in a popular wildlife refuge in southwest Montana is the lasted incident in an already-busy year for bear conflicts.
No humans were hurt in the April 21 incident in the Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Montana. It was unknown if the bear was injured, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) reported.
In response to the incident, officials have closed part of the refuge through May 5.
Red Rocks is among numerous areas in Wyoming and Montana where grizzlies have reclaimed habitat in recent years.
The incident at Red Rocks was Montana’s second reported human-bear clash this spring.
A man who was hunting for shed antlers near the tiny community of Dupyer in north-central Montana told officials that he was charged by a 250-pound female grizzly, which he shot and killed.
Grizzlies Were Once Gone From Red Rocks
The Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is near the Montana-Idaho state line, in the Centennial Valley Region and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
It’s best known as a vital refuge for trumpeter swans. The refuge and nearby mountains are also popular among anglers, hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts.
Grizzlies were completely pushed out of that area in the past.
Renowned outdoor writer and Park County resident Jim Zumbo told Cowboy State Daily that he frequently hunted in the Red Rocks area in the 1980s and 1990s.
Back then, “I never heard of a grizzly bear in either state in either state (Montana or Idaho) in that country,” he said.
Grizzlies were placed under federal protection in the Lower 48 in 1975. Since then, they’ve greatly expanded in numbers and range.
Red Rocks and the surrounding region is active grizzly habitat, Montana FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobson told Cowboy State Daily.
“The Centennial Valley is well within occupied grizzly habitat and has been for quite some time,” he said.
“It is surrounded by some other areas of high bear activity, including the Gravelly and Centennial (mountain) ranges, and Henry’s Lake to the east,” he added.
Anglers Said They Were Charged
The Anglers reported that the bear charged at them through thick brush, and one of them shot at it, according to FWP.
Wildlife agents searched the area but “no bears or carcasses were found,” according to the agency.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
