Fundraiser launched for victim of Cedar Flats Trail complex bear attack
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 40 minutes AGO
Aubrey Scott
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | September 18, 2026 12:00 AM
A GoFundMe account has been set up to support a Columbia Falls woman mauled by a bear while walking her dog in the Cedar Flats Trail complex on Aug. 31.
Aubrey Scott encountered a sow with a cub that had a whitetail deer cached in the area. The attack was ruled a surprise defensive encounter by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks investigators.
Her dog, Frankie, came out of the attack unscathed and was reunited with family. Scott was transferred to a Seattle hospital for treatment.
To date, $107,040 has been raised for Scott to defray medical expenses and other costs.
Organizers wrote that Scott and her husband now face a long and uncertain road to recovery.
“This fundraiser is being created in order to help alleviate the financial burden they are facing," they wrote. "These funds will be used to help cover medical, travel, and living expenses as Aubrey will require additional care in Seattle. Aubrey is self-employed, and her return to work is unknown at this time. Lightening any amount of financial strain will help to shift focus solely to Aubrey's continued healing, what matters most.”
The fundraiser's organizers described Scott as an experienced outdoorswoman in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.
“Beyond her accomplishments in the outdoors, Aubrey is, above all, an incredible human being," they wrote. "She is kind, caring, intelligent, generous, and brave. She is an amazing friend, wife, and community member. Aubrey's laugh is infectious, and her energy is vibrant. She is loved deeply by countless people."
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel unsuccessfully searched for the bear after the attack. After an investigation, though, the decision was made to not take any action against the bear as it was deemed a defensive encounter.
Sows with cubs can be aggressive and even more so near a cached carcass.
FWP strongly encourages people who hike in the backcountry to carry bear spray and make plenty of noise while hiking, particularly near blind corners where site distance is limited.
The Cedar Flats Trail system is a popular recreational area with loop trails. It also runs through prime bear habitat. Closed immediately after the attack, the trail system has since reopened to public use.
The GoFundMe link is here: www.gofundme.com/f/support-aubreys-recovery-following-grizzly-bear-attack.
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