KALISPELL — Bears continue to cause problems this summer in Northwest Montana, with a report of hikers having to shoot a grizzly in self-defense, and another problem bear dying from "hazing", as rangers were trying to keep in away from people in Glacier National Park.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens are investigating a case where two backpackers said they had to shoot a grizzly after surprising the bear near a huckleberry patch near Dad Peak in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness south of Troy.
Meanwhile, rangers at Many Glacier said they had to euthanize a black bear Monday. Rangers were trying to get the bear to move away from people at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Campground by firing rubber bullets.
But the park says one of the bullets inadvertently pierced the bear's abdomen and it had to be put down. It's rare that a bear dies from hazing, which is used to prevent conflicts with humans in busy areas.
There were seven separate bear incidents in Many Glacier alone on Monday.
