First Bear-Related Fatality Since ’88 Reported In Glacier

Tragedy Strikes Glacier National Park

Every year we hear stories of tourists doing something dumb with the animals at Yellowstone or Glacier National Park.

This isn't one of those stories.

Hiker Found Dead After Bear Encounter

This isn't a tale of some tourist getting karma for trying to pet a bison. This one ends in tragedy.

NBC Montana is reporting a hiker who had gone missing was found this past Wednesday in Glacier National Park.

Sadly, they were found dead, with what experts are describing as injuries consistent with a bear encounter.

Attacks like these are a reminder that if you're out hiking under the Big Sky, you need to be bear-aware.

Important Bear Safety Tips For Montana Hikers

Always let someone know where you're going, especially if you're heading out alone. Having a sidearm on you is pretty smart, but not everyone has that option. At the very least, carry bear spray.

And actually know how to use it. You need to be able to get to it and spray it within 3 seconds. That's not a lot of time.

Also check the expiration date. Expired bear spray will still spray; it just won't reach as far, and when you're staring down a bear, distance matters.

Bottom line: if you're heading into the Montana wilderness, you're in bear country. And there are some areas where your odds of a run-in go up considerably, which you'll see in the gallery below.