Teen Attacked by Grizzly While Shed Hunting

A teenage boy is lucky to be alive after surviving a grizzly attack while he was hunting for shed antlers near Ennis, Montana.

The 17-year-old Utah teenager, who was attacked by the bear last Sunday, received only minor injuries, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) news release.

The teen and his family were visiting their cabin in Wolf Creek, about 30 miles south of Ennis, on the east side of the Madison Valley.

According to the Billings Gazzette, the teen was walking down a hill around 2 p.m. looking for sheds when he heard a thump behind him. He turned around to see a grizzly charging at him. Although he was carrying bear spray, the teen was unable to deploy it because the bear attacked so quickly.

The bear pushed him up against a tree and held him there for a moment. When the bear let go, the teen fell over and tried to crawl between two trees and protect his head and torso. The bear then pinned him face down on the ground. The teen, who was wearing a backpack, was then able to reach over his shoulder and spray the bear with bear spray. The bear left.

The teen began walking out and made radio contact with his family. He was treated for his injuries at Madison Valley Medical Center and released.

FWP has notified people who live in the area of the attack.

The bear's behavior appears to be typical of surprise close encounters. FWP will continue to monitor the area, but no further management action is being taken at this time.

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