Some days, You should just stay in bed.

[tombogan03884]

Victim in Mont. grizzly attack was shot by friend

http://news.yahoo.com/victim-mont-grizzly-attack-shot-friend-232212127.html

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A hunter attacked by a wounded grizzly in a Montana forest was killed not by the bear, but by a gunshot fired by a companion trying to save him, authorities said Friday.

Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe said an autopsy determined 39-year-old Steve Stevenson of Winnemucca, Nev., died of a single gunshot to the chest. The cause of death was determined by a medical examiner with the Montana State Crime Lab.

The shot was fired by 20-year-old Ty Bell, also of Winnemucca, as he attempted to stop the bear's attack. No charges are expected, Bowe said.

The autopsy found bite marks on Stevenson's leg caused by the bear.

"We're fairly convinced it was obviously an accident," Bowe said. "But the county attorney will review the final report once we're done."

Bell and Stevenson were on a black bear hunting trip with two other people in a thickly-forested region along the Montana-Idaho border when the attack occurred Sept. 16.

The foursome had split into two-member teams, and early in the day Bell shot and wounded what he thought was a black bear, which are considered less aggressive than grizzly bears.

Bell and Stevenson waited about 15 minutes until they thought the bear had died, then tracked the 400-pound grizzly into thick cover, according to Stevenson's mother, Janet Price.

When the bear turned on the men, Stevenson yelled at the animal to distract it and keep it from attacking Bell, Price told The Associated Press last week. When the animal instead went after Stevenson, Bell fired multiple shots trying to kill the animal, Bowe said.

It was unclear how many times the bear was hit, or whether the bullet that killed Stevenson had first hit the bear. Bowe said that possibility was under investigation.

The bear also died.

It is illegal to kill grizzly bears in the lower 48 states, where the animals are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the case is also under investigation by federal wildlife agents.

Grizzlies were largely exterminated across the lower 48 last century, but their population has rebounded dramatically in recent decades.

The grizzly shot by Bell was one of about 45 of the animals that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates live in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem Area in northwest Montana and northern Idaho.

Ron Aasheim with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the case underscored the potential danger hunters face when pursuing wounded animals.

"Anytime you follow a wounded animal, but particularly a predator like a bear, you have to be very careful," he said.

[twyacht]

Fired multiple shots, after the initial shot only wounded the bear?

Uh,....Bring enough gun?

If I was hunting any type of bear, the caliber would begin with a "4". Like a Marlin 45-70 lever action to start, and go UP from there.

400lbs. of pissed off attack and kill you animal, requires more than a "ol' deer" round.

I'm sure the hunting buddies of the deceased feel terrible. Very sad.

[tombogan03884]

I have heard that a lot of Professional hunters in Africa, when following a wounded lion into brush will carry a 12ga because what they want is a close range thumper and a Pump gives them quick follow up shots.
Might have been a good idea here.

[Timothy]

I have heard that a lot of Professional hunters in Africa, when following a wounded lion into brush will carry a 12ga because what they want is a close range thumper and a Pump gives them quick follow up shots.
Might have been a good idea here.

I have a work acquaintance who did a two week hunting trip in southern Africa a few years ago.  He saved for about 15 years to make the trip and have enough to mount all the trophies.

He mentioned that the guides were "armed to the teeth"...sadly, the first week he stepped into some ground critter hole and broke his leg.  He did manage to fill three or four of the eight tags he'd paid for though.

Sad about this fellow in the OP, sad for his friend to find out he shot him as well.  He'll have a few sleepless nights/years ahead of him!

[Solus]

Read a story some years ago about two hunters who spooked a bear which attacked one of them. 

The other one ran off.  The one attacked lost his firearm but managed to kill it with his belt knife after taking some bad wounds.

He got back to where the car was parked and it was gone.  Hitchhiked into town and got treatment at the emergency room and was released.

Went to the bar where he and his buddy hung out and found his buddy there drinking and letting everyone know he was in town the whole day......

Don't know how things worked out between these two guys, but I'd rather be the fellow who stayed and tried to defend his friend...even if it was my shot that was the fatal wound.  Had he not shot, his friend would had suffered a worse death.

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

I've seen bears take several 338 win mags before going down, I've also seen them droped with a 22.  Its all shot placment.

[CJS3]

Victim in Mont. grizzly attack was shot by friend

http://news.yahoo.com/victim-mont-grizzly-attack-shot-friend-232212127.html


When the bear turned on the men, Stevenson yelled at the animal to distract it and keep it from attacking Bell, Price told The Associated Press last week. When the animal instead went after Stevenson, Bell fired multiple shots trying to kill the animal, Bowe said.

It was unclear how many times the bear was hit, or whether the bullet that killed Stevenson had first hit the bear. Bowe said that possibility was under investigation.

I have heard that a lot of Professional hunters in Africa, when following a wounded lion into brush will carry a 12ga because what they want is a close range thumper and a Pump gives them quick follow up shots.
Might have been a good idea here.

I don't think "quick follow up shots" was the problem. Sounds like the stories you read about police shootings, where many shots are fired, but few hit the target, and an "innocent bystander" is killed.

[bodean87]

This is why you dont stop shooting as long as you can see them or they are on the ground and not moving or breathing. Simple rule i follow when hunting. First shoot is all about placement the rest are bleeder holes ( with the best palcement allowed).

[Magoo541]

I don't think "quick follow up shots" was the problem. Sounds like the stories you read about police shootings, where many shots are fired, but few hit the target, and an "innocent bystander" is killed.

You can't miss fast enough...

[1Buckshot]

OK, as a Montana Boy with Grizzlies almost in my back yard and most places I go hunting. If a grizzly is chewing on me I want you to take very good aim, ( FAST) but good aim and shoot me not the bear. It will HURT a lot less.