Montana I think you have a bear problem

[Onewhohikes]

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist injured by grizzly bear in Centennial Valley
Bozeman, MT — A biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was attacked by a grizzly bear in the Centennial Valley Wednesday morning. The individual suffered serious bite wounds but is expected to recover fully.

The USFWS employee was working on a sage grouse monitoring project on Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge about a mile west of Elk Lake. The biologist heard a noise in the sagebrush and turned to see two grizzly bears in a close-encounter situation, approximately 80 to 100 yards away.

One bear stood up, and the other charged the biologist. The biologist deployed bear spray at the charging bear and throughout the attack until the attacking bear ran away with the other bear.

The biologist began leaving the site while reporting the incident to other USFWS staff, who came and helped the individual get medical attention. The biologist was transported to Rexburg, Idaho, for medical treatment and was released later Wednesday afternoon.

The biologist’s report indicates the bears may have been young siblings around three years old. Idaho Fish & Game assisted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in the early stages of the investigation, which is still ongoing.

Seven people have been injured this year by bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including two recreationists in Montana. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in new places. Being prepared for such encounters is more important than ever to keep people and property safe and to cultivate natural bear behavior.

Recreationists and people who work outdoors should always be prepared to handle a bear encounter. Most bear attacks on humans happen in surprise close encounters. Activities that are deliberately quiet or fast moving, such as hunting, mountain biking or trail running, put people at greater risk for surprising a bear. When you’re outside, keep these precautions in mind:

Be aware of your surroundings and look for bear sign.
Read signs at trailheads and stay on trails. Be especially careful around creeks and in areas with dense brush.
Carry bear spray. Know how to use it and be prepared to deploy it at a second’s notice.
Travel in groups whenever possible and make casual noise, which can help alert bears to your presence.
Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
Follow U.S. Forest Service (USFS) food storage orders, which have been in effect for public lands in Montana since March 1.
If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Back away slowly and leave the area.
Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the USFWS, working closely in Montana with FWP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, the USFS and Tribal lands. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

For more information on avoiding negative encounters with bears, visit igbconline.org/bear-safety.

Media contact: Joseph Szuszwalak, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 303-236-4336 • joseph_szuszwalak@fws.gov

[Bango skank]

Saw bears from 100 yards, had time to pull a gun.

Used bear spray, got ass whooped anyway.

Ill stick with lead myself, screw bear spray.

[KFhunter]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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[bearpaw]

Saw bears from 100 yards, had time to pull a gun.

Used bear spray, got ass whooped anyway.

Ill stick with lead myself, screw bear spray.

 

[KFhunter]

Can USFWS bios carry a gun??

Not sure they can carry, lest they get confused with LE

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[Bango skank]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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Likely not, but i sure as hell am

[KFhunter]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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Likely not, but i sure as hell am

Oh hell ya!

[optic2]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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No, only LE in the Forest Service can carry a gun.

[KFhunter]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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No, only LE in the Forest Service can carry a gun.

That's what I thought, the issue came up when that gal was run up a tree by wolves here in WA. 

I think the bio's working in remote areas need to be escorted by LE before one of them gets killed,  but the fed gov is reactionary and not proactive.

[huntnfmly]

Why are they unable to carry a sidearm

[Bango skank]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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No, only LE in the Forest Service can carry a gun.

That's what I thought, the issue came up when that gal was run up a tree by wolves here in WA. 

I think the bio's working in remote areas need to be escorted by LE allowed to carry guns before one of them gets killed,  but the fed gov is reactionary and not proactive.

Ftfy

[JimmyHoffa]

Why are they unable to carry a sidearm

Probably would undermine their bosses' stories about grizzlies and wolves being peaceful creatures.  If the Disney crowd saw bios packing and were told it's because grizzlies and wolves are large territorial, carnivorous animals that kill stuff--including humans, then they might start to open their eyes.

[pianoman9701]

Just doing what grizzlies do. Can't blame the bear. Blame the courts, the legal system that allows lobbying groups to sue the government for their legal fees, and the environmentalists who think that man doesn't belong in nature and the cuddly bears do. There should be open hunting until their population is brought down to the pre-established recovery, a number agreed upon by all parties when the recovery was initiated. The sell tags every year to maintain that number. God, people are stupid.

[KFhunter]

I'd be armed.

[kellama2001]

... God, people are stupid.

You nailed it!

[ctwiggs1]

I'd be armed.

Yeah, are they not allowed to carry a gun?

[bigtex]

Can USFWS bios carry a gun??

Not sure they can carry, lest they get confused with LE

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Generally no. However USFWS employees in Alaska have been authorized to carry firearms for personal protection against wildlife while they are out in the field working. Typically this is a shotgun. Carrying a firearm for this reason is a personal decision and they do have to take a training course.

I'm unaware if this has been brought to the lower 48 with wolves and grizzlies being more prominent in some areas. This incident may cause that to happen.

There are also USFWS employees who can carry a firearm for invasive species control.

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[2MANY]

These people need the new Insta Inflateable CHOP Barrior.
Police proof, government proof, and charging griz proof.
Comes with a free mask to muffle the owners whimpers.

[dreamingbig]

I wonder if they're allowed to carry a gun?

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They are not.


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[MADMAX]

I don’t think Id ask
If I worked in the woods, I’d just have it
I wouldn’t advertise
Heading over to scout and shoot some gophers this next weekend
Will I have it with me ?
Maybe

[KFhunter]

I'd rather get fired,  than be mauled by a grizz relying on nothing but a can of vegetable oil 

[MADMAX]

Cha Ching
Winner