A hunter seeking pheasants south of the Ninepipe Reservoir was injured by a bear on Tuesday, wildlife and reservation officials reported.
Germaine White, information and education specialist with the Natural Resources Department for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said the incident was reported at about 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 11.
Tribal Wildlife bear biologists, Tribal conservation officers and a state Fish, Wildlife and Parks conservation officer responded to the call.
The hunter was near Olsen Road south of the reservoir when they had an incident with a bear and two cubs. Information on the injuries was not yet available.
Stacy Courville, tribal bear biologist, said the encounter is currently under investigation. Courville wanted to remind hunters that the entire Mission Valley is bear habitat, home to both black and grizzly bears.
Those these encounters are rare, bears are active this time of year in preparation for the winter.
Residents and hunters of the Ninepipe area should report any unusual bear activity to Tribal conservation officers at 675-4700 as soon as possible.
White also offered the following tips for recreating in bear country:
One of the best ways to ensure safety is to travel in a group of three or more people and make noise. Make loud noise especially when in dense brush or near running water where surprise encounters are likely to take place. Proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best effective method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved. Anyone recreating in bear country is highly encouraged to carry bear spray. The bear spray should be readily accessible and the user should have knowledge on how to use it.