Hunter Shoots, Kills Grizzly With Rifle In Self-Defense South Of Yellowstone

Cowboy State Daily ^ | 10/21/25 | Mark Heinz

[shelterguy]

“””They need to stomp the rabbits this weekend.””

Yup. I’m wondering if this is on tv here in Minneapolistan.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

At first I was wondering the same thing (we are in North Idaho, a long ways from that area). Yellowstone is primarily in Wyoming, with small portions in Montana and Idaho. YNP sticks into Idaho about 3.6 miles. 35 sq miles of YNP are in Idaho, only 1% of the total park area.

FReeper Noumenon lives in that area (cc’d).

[xone]

It’s on ESPNU.

[shelterguy]

I don’t see that on my xfinity list.

[Dr. Franklin]

Archery hunters shot and killed grizzlies in self-defense in the Island Park region

If an archer shot and killed a grizzly bear with a bow and arrow, then that would really be impressive.

[marktwain]

I’ll let him come on over here and explain to you professionally why bear spray is a very poor substitute for firearms.

---

Bear spray can, and does work some of the time. It is nearly impossible to know just how effective it is. If I must guess, I would guess it is effective in stopping attacks about 90% of the time, but data is extremely difficult to find.

As best I can determine, handguns are effective in stopping attacks by bears about 98% of the time.

Here is an article I wrote explaining some of the difficulties in attempting to measure the effectiveness of various measures in stopping bear attacks.

https://www.ammoland.com/2024/04/bias-in-studies-of-the-efficacy-of-firearms-in-bear-attacks/

The article explains some of the problems with famous papers published by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero.

[BipolarBob]

Yes. It’s on the internet so it has to be true.

[norcal joe]

South, southwest...geography is overrated.

It isn't even southwest of Yellowstone. It happened directly west of the middle of the park.

[Bshaw]

Would be nice if the article at least mentioned the specific type of firearm used.

[Troublemaker]

Lived in grizzly area my entire life and Island Park is getting bad. My parents lived their for decades until their resent passing. There often were grizzlies on their property.

[Billthedrill]

How in the world did a grizzly get a rifle?

Yup - I was thinking if I saw a grizzly coming at me with a rifle I'd shoot it too. And take its arms. Because we have a right to bear arms.

[Uncle Miltie]

Thank you, kind Sir!

[2nd Amendment]

A Montanan told me just last week that all you need is a slow buddy and a pocketknife to survive a grizzly attack

[wardaddy]

lol

[xp38]

I don’t know but ask the elephant in my pyjamas!

[henbane]

Meanwhile, grizzlies are in hyperphagia this time of year, she said. That’s essentially a pig-out mode, during which they gorge on up to 20,000 calories a day, trying to pile on fat for winter hibernation.

C'mon! Grizzleys gotta eat, too.

[NFHale]

Re Bear Spray:

I absolutely hate the idea of being mulled and eaten by a bear; Bear Spray will not stop a hungry, pissed off Grizzly.

If it’s me or the bear, the bear is toast. Not even a moment hesitation.

I’m surprised that guy was able to get off a fatal shot from a close range charge. He’ll be having nightmares about that moment for the rest of his life probably.

[Getready]

From what I understand, a bear has tremendous strength and if the spray don’t work...you could be in deeeeeep poopoo.
Or some of you in their stomach. I don’t like killing bears either so I stay away from them ..cause if it’s them or me, I vote for me.

[GMThrust]

Southwest of West Yellowstone.

[xone]

Check the link you posted.