Update 5:15 p.m. GREAT FALLS — Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is leading an investigation into a bear attack on a man that happened in rural Teton County on Monday night. Both the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and FWP confirmed to MTN that the incident did occur and an investigation is underway, though neither agency has released many details at this point.
Julie Brantley, a family friend of the victim, gave an account of what happened, saying that a neighbor had told Shanun Rammell (the victim) and his wife that there were reports of a bear being spotted in the area. The Rammells investigated their property before venturing a few miles North to see if the reports were true.
According to Brantley, the Rammells and their daughter were ready to leave and head home when Shanun decided to open the door of a shed near an abandoned farm site and check inside.
“Shanun said, ‘Well here, let me check in here.’ The bear was just inside the door, off to the side, and so Shanun startled it and the bear startled Shanun,” Brantley said. “It (the bear) immediately grabbed Shanun by, I think, his shoulder and was throwing him around in the air, but he also had a nice gash in his arm.”
Shanun began the roughly 20-minute drive to the Benefis Teton Medical Center in Choteau before his wife decided it would be best if she took over the driving. Brantley says the two arrived at the hospital at about 7 p.m. Shanun was then flown by Mercy Flight to Benefis Health System in Great Falls not long after that.
The family did provide pictures of the resulting injuries from the incident, and Brantley expected that Shanun might be dismissed from the hospital sometime Tuesday, but couldn’t say for sure. Based on Brantley’s account, Rammell’s injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.
FWP has not yet released any details regarding the incident or their investigation, but we’ll keep you updated with the latest information when it becomes available, including Shanun’s status.
A man was attacked by a bear in Teton County on Monday evening.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks confirmed the incident on Tuesday morning.
The agency posted on its Prairie Bear Monitor page: "Last night (7/27) there was a surprise encounter bear attack about 7 miles southeast of Choteau. We are working to capture the bear, so please stay away from the area and be bear aware - carry bear spray and avoid suprising a grizzly at close range. More details to follow."
According to the Choteau Acantha, Teton County Sheriff Keith VanSetten said that the man was taken to Benefis Health System via Mercy Flight helicopter; there is no word on his current condition.
We will update you if we get more information.
