Montana Elk Hunter Injured In Grizzly Bear Attack

Officials say a grizzly bear with two cubs attacked and injured an elk hunter in northwestern Montana before being killed by the hunter's partner.

Bruce Auchley of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the hunters from Kalispell were returning to get more meat from the carcass of a bull elk they killed earlier on Saturday about 40 miles east of Kalispell when the bear attacked.

Auchley says the hunters shot the bear once before it bit 31-year-old Anthony Willits on the lower left leg. Auchley says 29-year-old Gregory Louden shot three more times, killing the grizzly.

The men hiked out and Willits was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Associated Press