GREAT FALLS — Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks reports that a man shot and killed a grizzly bear that was threatening him on the northeast side of the Bears Paw Mountains south of Havre on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The agency said the man heard a disturbance with his dogs and when he opened the door to his porch, he encountered the bear and shot it.
The man was not injured in the encounter. No other details have been released.
Although grizzly bears aren’t common in the Bears Paw Mountains, sightings have increased in the region in recent years. According to FWP, this is the first lethal removal by a landowner in this area.
If you are experiencing conflicts with bears, you're advised to contact a FWP bear specialist by clicking here.
FWP tips for hunting and recreating in bear country
- Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it.
- Make noise to alert bears of your presence and travel and hunt in groups when possible.
- Be extra cautious around creeks, and in areas with limited visibility. Most attacks happen in surprise, close encounters.
- Watch for signs of bears such as scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses, and be extra aware or avoid these areas.
- Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears. If field dressing an animal, bring what is needed to remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible and have bear spray close at hand.
- If you need to leave the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet of the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
- Upon your return, observe with binoculars first. Make noise when approaching, and if anything has been disturbed by a bear, leave and call FWP.
Visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware for more information on living, working, and recreating in bear country.
