http://www.ktvq.com/story/3840...by-black-bear-hunter



Montana grizzly bear killed by black bear hunter


Posted: Jun 12, 2018 7:59 AM CDT
Updated: Jun 12, 2018 7:59 AM CDT

By Don Fisher - MTN News


KALISPELL - A black bear hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear in the Swan Valley.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel responded to the incident on May 20 in the Piper Creek drainage in the Swan Valley on U.S. Forest Service land.

The hunter, a man from Pennsylvania, reported the incident to FWP. The adult male grizzly bear weighed 500 pounds and was about 18 years old.

The hunter told FWP game wardens that he mistakenly identified the animal as a black bear. The incident occurred during the spring hunting season for black bears, which ended May 31.

The individual had a license to hunt black bears.

FWP game wardens investigated the incident in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the dead grizzly bear was removed from the site.

Grizzly bears cannot be legally hunted in Montana, and black bear hunters are required to pass an identification test before purchasing a black bear hunting license.

FWP reminds hunters to learn how to identify bears, and be absolutely sure of their target and, if in doubt, not shoot.

That's too bad.

Did 5 or 6 back packing trips on that side of the BOB Marshal wilderness.

Never fail to see grizzly sign woke up one morning to find a fresh track 20 feet from the tent.

Only saw one.

The day before we went in the ranger at Meadowbrook told use a sow was shot.

As she was climbing up a tree after the shooter.

A single round from his 44 stopped her.

She had been a problem bear in Glacier park and was trapped and tag there.

Then moved to the BOB once a problem bear always a problem bear.

At this rate Montana will never have a Grizzly hunt. Between self defense shootings and this shooting that's about 3 or 4 I've read about recently.
Very unfortunate when a hunter mis identifies his game.