Mushroom Hunters Shoot and Kill Charging Grizzly in Montana

Late last week a pair of men who were after some prized spring mushrooms, found themselves face to face with a charging grizzly bear and were forced to make a fatal decision. 

According to Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks the two men, identified only by their first names, were picking mushrooms about a mile north of Choteau, roughly 40 miles west of Great Falls, when a female grizzly bear accompanied by a single cub charged them. Acting in self-defense, both men fired their weapons at close range, killing the sow. Fortunately, neither man was injured, though they were understandably shaken by the encounter. As landowners in the area, they were familiar with the landscape but unprepared for the sudden attack.

"I spoke to John and Justin shortly after the incident and they were both still shook up," Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark said. “They told me their story and it was clear it was very traumatic. What’s important here is they’re ok.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the incident, while Montana officials continue searching for the cub, which was not located at the scene. This event marks another in a series of recent grizzly encounters in Montana and Idaho, reflecting the ever-expanding grizzly population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.

Just about a month ago, a similar incident occurred 30 miles north in Dupuyer, Montana, where a shed hunter killed a charging grizzly sow with a yearling cub. In that case, MFWP chose not to capture the cub, believing it could survive on its own. Other recent encounters include a shed hunter killing a grizzly in self-defense near Wolf Creek in April of last year, and a group of anglers that reportedly fired at a charging bear near Red Rock Creek just last month, though no carcass was found in the latter case.

The Choteau incident underscores the increasing overlap between human activity and grizzly habitat. Spring is a particularly risky time, as bears emerge from hibernation and forage actively, often in the same areas where morel mushroom hunters and shed antler collectors venture. The prairie country around Choteau, once less common for grizzly sightings, is now part of their reclaimed range.

Outdoor safety experts emphasize the importance of preparedness in bear country. Carrying bear spray or firearms, traveling in groups, and staying vigilant can make the difference in a grizzly encounter. 

While the investigation into the Choteau shooting continues, the event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sharing the landscape with one of North America’s most powerful predators.