Bears are still active in Northwest Montana, as evidenced by a recent attack of two hunters in the Whitefish area.

According to a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks press release, a father and son were hunting along a gated road when the grizzly bear charged out of a thick, wooded area along the road at close range. The two individuals sustained significant injuries before they were able to shoot and kill the bear.

The pair was transported by the ALERT helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The area where the incident occurred is in the King Creek drainage along Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land and private timberland.

The FWP Region 1 Wildlife Human Attack Response Team conducted an investigation and found a deer carcass cached in the thick timber along the edge of the road adjacent to where the attack occurred.

The sow was estimated at nearly 20 years old and she was believed to have had one offspring.

Fish and Game personnel have been busy moving bears which have been getting into food sources near residences. Bears typically enter their dens for the winter beginning in late November.

Here is a summary of recent management actions involving grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which spans much of northwest Montana.

Sept. 11: FWP bear specialists captured a subadult male grizzly bear off East Edgewood Drive east of Whitefish after the bear killed a pig and fed on fruit trees near a private residence.

FWP moved it to a remote section of the Flathead National Forest off the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir after consulting with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Oct. 13: FWP bear specialists captured a subadult male grizzly bear north of U.S. Highway 2 on private property next to the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company property. FWP was attempting to capture a female grizzly bear with a yearling that was feeding from domestic fruit trees and garbage near residences but captured the male grizzly bear, which was also believed to be eating from garbage in the area. The bears were not observed to be acting aggressively. FWP moved the bear to a remote section of the Flathead National Forest up Dead Horse Creek in the North Fork of the Flathead River after consulting with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Oct. 13: A FWP bear specialist captured an adult male grizzly bear west of Pendroy on the Rocky Mountain Front after the bear entered an open garage and fed on treated grain. FWP captured the bear and relocated it to the Puzzle Creek drainage of Flathead National Forest after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

Oct. 21: FWP bear specialists captured an adult female grizzly bear and male cub of the year on private property off Columbia Falls Stage Road near Columbia Falls. The bears were reportedly tipping over garbage cans at residences near the Flathead River south of town and eating domestic fruit that had fallen into residential yards. The bears were also pictured accessing unsecured garbage on a back porch of a residence. It previously denned in Glacier National Park, and FWP moved the bears to the Logan Creek area in the park after consulting with the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hunters are reminded to “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses must be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website, fwp.mt.gov.

Residents are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.