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Shed Antler Hunter Kills Grizzly
By Todd Helms
On April 25th, outside of Wolf Creek, Montana, a man and his two dogs were looking for shed antlers on private property when he was charged by a female grizzly. The man killed the bear with a handgun after firing five rounds; one grazing the animal and another killing it. The female grizzly had a young cub which the state of Montana is looking to place in an accredited zoo.
A curious note I’ve read in every account of the above incident is that they all report the man was NOT carrying bear spray. Why is that even mentioned? Montana FWP made a point of bringing it up, as if the man did something wrong by choosing to defend himself with a handgun instead of bear spray?
Is this just a coincidental note, or is FWP and the various “reporters” of this incident driving at something here? If I had to guess it’s the latter and that’s a shame. While I personally carry both a handgun and bear spray in grizzly country, the form of self defense a person chooses to carry, as long as it is legal, should not come into question in a self defense situation.
It is as if FWP is implying the man should have done more to avoid having to terminally dissuade the sow grizzly. I am personally very happy this man avoided being mauled. While it is a shame the grizzly was killed and her cub orphaned, I hold that a person’s life is worth infinitely more than any animal’s but that seems to be a truth that’s growing increasingly unpopular with today’s “enlightened” society.
Either way… this story is yet another example of how those of us who recreate outdoors must have the means and capability to defend ourselves. . . lethally or non lethally.
What’s your take? Did this man do anything wrong? I don’t think so but I’d love to hear your opinion.
Source Link:
Adventures in God’s Creation with Justin Gibbins | Eastmans’ Journal Podcast
https://youtu.be/XS8LLndvGWQ?si=5wjrQfSjEV_xV3YZ
In episode #39 of the Eastmans’ Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with Justin Gibbins of Limitless Outdoors. Justin is no stranger to adventure and this podcast of the North Idaho native’s exploits showcases a handful of them. Come along for a great conversation as Ike talks adventure, faith and the remote areas in God’s creation. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Watch all of the EHJ Podcast episodes: • Eastmans’ Journal Podcast
Be sure to check out @LimitlessOutdoors | To share the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ with the hunting community through high quality DIY backcountry hunts that are wholesome, entertaining, informative, and authentic.
In regard to the story in which a Montana shed hunter killed a charging grizzly with a handgun, I’d like to point out as a handgun-carrying shed hunter myself that shed hunting has come under increasing scrutiny by wildlife management agencies and the public in recent years. And, that trend seems to increase yearly now. If there truly was no alternative but to use lethal force to stop that bear, then the shooter did what he obviously had to do. Regardless, the truth is that shed hunting brings people into more close contact with wildlife and their offspring — and therefore poses a disruptive presence to wildlife populations — than would occur without shed hunting. I myself have stumbled upon brand new elk calves twice, as I spooked away their mothers, which I never saw return as I watched from a distance. I hope all shed hunters exercise care in watching out for offspring and their mothers. I also know of several shed hunters who’d reach for the gun first even if a bear wasn’t charging just because it was close. Shed hunting is different from other outdoor pursuits: no other activity requires the thorough covering of ground the way that shed hunting does, often right smack in the middle of calving/fawning areas. I dread the reality that shed hunting might be viewed as open season for any and all close contacts with bears, whether there’s truly a charge involved or not. Shed hunters should be conscientious and effective at policing themselves and those who share their sport so as to minimize unwelcome negative effects on wildlife reproduction. Otherwise, the agencies and the general public are right to be concerned and motivated to pass more restrictive legislation.