No charges filed in grizzly killing

The U.S. Attorney’s office has decided not to file criminal charges against hunters who killed a grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park last year.

The hunters were participating in the annual elk reduction program when they shot the bear. But Park Spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says investigators determined that they acted in self defense after the grizzly charged them. She says the hunters did the right thing after the bear died.

“They notified park rangers right away,” Skaggs said. “They fully cooperated with the investigation. Their stories checked out. … And that all led to the determination that there would be no criminal charges.”

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Skaggs says this is the first time a hunter participating in the elk reduction program has killed a grizzly in the park. She says bears die from vehicle collisions far more frequently.