Recreationists and hunters are being encouraged to avoid the Line Creek Trail outside of Red Lodge after a hunter encountered a grizzly bear in the area over the weekend.
The Custer Gallatin National Forest reports the man was charged by the grizzly on the way to Line Lake. There were no injuries and the U.S. Forest Service reports bear spray was not deployed.
It is believed the bear was guarding a food cache, most likely an elk carcass.
The incident came a day after a hunter in Wyoming was injured by a grizzly bear on Saturday west of Cody. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports the hunter and a companion were elk hunting when the hunter was attacked after a sudden encounter at close range with an adult female grizzly with two cubs.
The man rode out to the trailhead and was flown by helicopter to an area hospital where he is receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Game and Fish immediately responded to the area when notified of the attack. The female grizzly was killed by the hunter and his hunting companion.
Game and Fish in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service euthanized the two cubs. The Fish and Wildlife Service is heading the investigation.
Copyright 2021 Yellowstone Public Radio. To see more, visit Yellowstone Public Radio.