Area closure in place 

KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are investigating a bear attack on a woman walking her dog on the Cedar Flats trail complex north of Columbia Falls. The attack occurred around 7 p.m. on Aug. 31. The species of bear involved in the attack is currently unknown.  

Last night, investigators from FWP and USFS, with assistance from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, searched for the bear using a thermal infrared drone but were unable to locate it. The area remains closed by Forest Service officials in the interest of public safety. The victim sustained significant injuries and was transported to Logan Health Medical Center for treatment. The incident is still under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.  

Where the Attack Happened: Cedar Flats Trail Complex

The Cedar Flats trail complex sits in the Flathead National Forest north of Columbia Falls, a gateway community to Glacier National Park. This corner of northwest Montana is some of the most productive bear habitat in the Lower 48. The Flathead Valley and its surrounding drainages support healthy populations of both grizzly bears and black bears, and encounters — while still relatively rare — are a real and consistent possibility for anyone recreating in the area.

The Cedar Flats area features dense mixed conifer forest, brushy riparian corridors, and terrain that limits visibility at close range. These are exactly the conditions that increase the odds of a surprise encounter with a bear. Evening hours, like the approximate 7 p.m. timeframe of this attack, are particularly active periods for bears foraging before dark. Late August and early September also coincide with hyperphagia — the late-summer feeding frenzy when bears consume thousands of calories per day in preparation for winter denning. During this period, bears are on the move more frequently, covering more ground, and can be highly focused on food sources with reduced awareness of approaching humans.

Why Species Identification Matters

Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the bear involved was a grizzly or a black bear. That distinction matters — not just for the investigation, but for how survivors and bystanders should understand the event. Grizzly bears and black bears can both be dangerous, but their behavior during encounters often differs, and the recommended human response differs as well.

Grizzly bears are more commonly associated with defensive attacks, particularly when surprised at close range or when a mother is protecting cubs. Black bears are more likely to be curious or predatory in nature during an attack. Knowing the species helps investigators assess whether the bear may pose an ongoing threat, whether it needs to be removed from the landscape, and what the context of the attack likely was. Thermal drone searches like the one conducted the night of the attack are a modern and effective tool for locating animals in low-light or heavy-cover conditions, though dense forest canopy can limit their effectiveness.

Dogs in Bear Country: An Added Variable

The victim in this case was walking her dog at the time of the attack. Dogs add a complicated variable to bear encounters. An off-leash dog that runs ahead and encounters a bear may turn and run back toward its owner, leading the bear directly to the human. Even a leashed dog can agitate a bear, and the presence of a dog can change bear behavior in unpredictable ways.

That said, some experienced backcountry users argue that a dog can also serve as an early warning system, alerting an owner to a bear’s presence before a close encounter occurs. The key is awareness and control. If you bring a dog into bear country, keeping it under close control — on leash in high-use or high-risk areas — is the responsible choice. Check posted trail regulations as well; some trails in the Flathead National Forest and areas adjacent to Glacier National Park have specific leash requirements.

Bear Country Awareness: What Hunters and Hikers Need to Know This Fall

Early September marks the beginning of one of the busiest outdoor recreation and hunting seasons in Montana. Archery elk season is underway, early deer seasons are approaching, and hikers are taking advantage of the last warm weeks before fall sets in. All of these activities put people into the same habitat where bears are most actively feeding.

For hunters in particular, the overlap of bear activity and big game season creates unique considerations. Elk hunters working dense timber or river bottoms, and deer hunters in brushy creek drainages, are operating in prime bear habitat during peak bear activity. Field-dressing and transporting game adds another layer of risk — carcasses and gut piles are powerful attractants. Hunters should gut and move meat away from the gut pile as quickly as possible, mark carcass locations with flagging, and approach cached meat cautiously on return trips. It is not uncommon for a bear to claim a carcass overnight.

Bear Spray: Your Most Important Piece of Gear

Research consistently supports bear spray as one of the most effective tools available for stopping a charging bear. It is not a substitute for awareness, but in a close-range encounter it provides a critical line of defense. The spray must be immediately accessible — not buried in a pack — to be useful. Many backcountry users carry it in a chest or hip holster for instant deployment. Practice drawing and operating your canister before heading into the field so the motion is automatic under stress.

Full Bear Safety Tips from FWP

Montana is bear country. When recreating in bear habitat, follow these safety tips: 

• Carry bear spray where it’s easily accessible and know how to use it. 

• Stay alert and watch for signs of bear activity, especially in areas with limited visibility. 

• Travel in groups and keep members close together. 

• Make noise to avoid surprising a bear, especially in dense vegetation or near running water. 

• Avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk. 

• Steer clear of carcass sites or areas with scavenger activity. 

Signs of Bear Activity to Watch For

Part of staying safe in bear country is reading the landscape before a bear ever appears. Common signs of recent bear activity include fresh tracks in mud or soft soil, digging or overturned rocks and logs where bears have been searching for insects or roots, scat containing berries, seeds, or hair, and claw marks on trees. In late summer and fall, pay particular attention to berry patches — huckleberries, serviceberries, and chokecherries are major food sources for bears across northwestern Montana, and a productive berry patch can hold multiple bears at a time.

If you encounter any of these signs on a trail, heighten your alertness, make more noise, and consider whether to continue. The Forest Service closure currently in place around the Cedar Flats area is a reminder that land managers take these situations seriously, and that trail closures exist to protect the public while investigations are ongoing. Respect closures and check with the Flathead National Forest or FWP for updates before visiting affected areas.

What to Do if You Encounter a Bear

No safety briefing can cover every scenario, but general principles apply across most encounters. If you see a bear before it sees you, back away quietly and give it space. If a bear detects you and holds its ground or approaches, stand your ground, speak in a calm, firm voice, and prepare your bear spray. Do not run — running can trigger a chase response.

If a grizzly makes contact in what appears to be a defensive attack, playing dead — face down, hands laced behind your neck, legs spread to make it harder to flip you — is generally recommended until the attack stops and the bear leaves. If a black bear or any bear makes contact in what appears to be a predatory attack (stalking behavior, pressing the attack after you’ve stopped moving), fight back aggressively targeting the nose and eyes. When in doubt about species, fighting back is never the wrong instinct if the attack continues.

Stay Informed and Stay Safe

Our thoughts are with the victim and her family as she recovers from this serious incident. Attacks like this are a sobering reminder that bear country demands respect and preparation every time you step onto a trail.

For more information on being bear aware, see the FWP Website.  

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