FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Sept. 17, 2026
GREAT FALLS – A grizzly bear was euthanized Tuesday evening southwest of Augusta. The bear was euthanized in response to livestock depredation.
The bear was feeding on a cow carcass on state land about three miles away from where an archery hunter was attacked along Elk Creek near Haystack Butte Monday morning. The hunter sustained significant but fortunately not life-threatening injuries. The attack was determined to be a surprise defensive encounter given the fed-upon carcass of another domestic cow about 150 yards away.
The euthanized bear was an adult female without cubs. A total of three cattle carcasses were found in the area and all were determined to have been killed by a grizzly bear. The decision by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to euthanize the bear at this site was made due to the livestock depredations and was in agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services and FWP.
It is unknown if the euthanized bear is the same bear involved in the human attack, but due to the surprise and defensive nature of the encounter, no further action will be taken to locate the bear.
Access to the state-owned land from the Elk Creek Road remains closed for the time being due to the cow carcasses remaining in the area.
-fwp-
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.