Hunters kill protected grizzly bears while seeking black bears, Montana officials say

Two protected grizzly bears were illegally killed by hunters, Montana wildlife officials said.

A male and female grizzly bear were killed last week by hunters looking for black bears on the Rocky Mountain Front west of Great Falls, Montana, the state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks department said in a news release.

Grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That listing means they are protected and it is illegal to harm, harass or kill them.

“Knowing how to correctly identify bears is also extremely important. Grizzly bears are a threatened species, and intentionally or accidentally killing a grizzly bear is illegal, unless it’s done in self-defense.,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release.

As such, Montana has no grizzly bear hunting season, Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. In some parts of the state, black bear hunting season will end June 15.

“Montana black bear hunting regulations require that all black bear hunters be tested to ensure they can spot the subtle differences between black bears and grizzly bears,” Fish, WIldlife and Parks said. “A hunter must present a passing certificate from the black bear identification test to purchase a black bear tag.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the circumstances of both incidents, Montana officials said. The hunters could face fines for illegally killing the bears, according to federal and state statutes.

This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 1:27 PM with the headline "Hunters kill protected grizzly bears while seeking black bears, Montana officials say."