Sow Grizzly Bear And Two Cubs Involved In Hunter’s Death Found And Killed

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An adult female grizzly bear and two cubs that mauled and killed a hunter were shot and killed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials today at 9:30 a.m. on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, 38 miles northeast of Missoula.

"We are confident we’ve removed the bears that mauled Timothy Hilston," said Bill Thomas, FWP information officer.  "These bears were the only bears that appeared at the trap site and they did so within a short period of time following the attack. Based on typical bear behavior, and guidelines regarding the removal of bears involved in a human fatality, federal and state bear experts dispatched the bears involved in this incident."  

The bear carcasses will be moved to the FWP Wildlife Research Lab in Bozeman for autopsy and forensic testing. A public report of the results will be available when the investigation is completed.

Timothy A. Hilston, of Great Falls, was hunting elk on the BCWMA on Tuesday when he was mauled and killed by a grizzly bear.  FWP set traps Wednesday night around the elk carcass that Hilston had harvested and the bears returned to the area Wednesday and Thursday, and were able to be taken on Friday, Thomas said.