Locals react on grizzly attack

BONNERS FERRY — As news spread that a hunter had been attacked and killed by a grizzly bear on Buckhorn Mountain near the Idaho/Montana border, area residents reacted with shock and surprise.

The attack, which occurred 15 feet into Montana in Lincoln County, was reported about 10 a.m. Friday. The bear was shot and killed by the man’s 20-year-old hunting companion.

The incident, which follows May’s fatal shooting of a grizzly bear by Porthill resident Jeremy M. Hill, rattled the nerves of some.

The attack makes her feel a bit unsafe, said Bonners Ferry resident Ruth Dinning.

“I wish I could feel safe in this county,” Dinning said. “I’d like to be able to get out and enjoy the beauty this county offers without having to worry about what lingers in the trees.”

Her friend, Lynn Self, had a straightforward approach on how to deal with the bears — ship them east.

“Fish & Game should move all the grizzlies they moved to our area to Washington, D.C. and then see how things go,” said Self, also of Bonners Ferry.

By and large, most of the residents commenting either on Hagadone News Network websites or Facebook sites, supported the hunter who shot the bear and said they would have done the same thing if they were in a similar situation.

“If it came down to me or the bear, the bear is going,” said Bonners Ferry resident Owen Plato. “I don’t see anything wrong with how the boy handled the situation.”

Sandpoint’s John Monks, in a post to the Bonners Ferry Herald’s Facebook page, noted the Endangered Species Act states that an individual may take endangered wildlife in defense of his own life or the lives of others.

“The law, however, does not allow the taking of endangered wildlife in defense of property,” he said in the post. “The hunter that killed the grizzly bear this morning will not face any criminal charges. If, however, he would have shot the bear from 100 yards because it was eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, he would probably be charged.”

Many simply offered their prayers to those involved.

“That’s so sad,” said Dana Barnes Kunz. “Prayers go out to the victim’s family and friends as well as the other hunter who had to witness it.”