An Idaho man out hunting black bears with his young son in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest ended up in a sudden life-or-death encounter with a grizzly bear. The incident happened on Saturday evening, May 16, 2026, in the area outside Ashton.

According to authorities, the grizzly was a male and came in fast, closing the gap to extremely close range. The bear reached within about five yards of where the father and child were positioned, leaving almost no time or space to retreat.

The father fired, fatally shooting the grizzly during the charge. The shooting occurred during what investigators described as a close-range ambush, with the danger unfolding quickly and at point-blank distance.

After the bear was killed, the incident was promptly reported to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. That call set in motion the official response and review of what had occurred in the forest.

Idaho Fish and Game conducted a joint investigation into the shooting. Following that review, officials concluded the man’s actions were fully justified as a defense of life, reflecting the basic principle that people have a right to protect themselves and their families when an immediate threat leaves no reasonable alternative.