Shooting death of large grizzly bear in Montana investigated by federal, state authorities

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One of Montana's biggest grizzly bears, a male that stood more than 7 1/2 feet tall and was informally known as "Maximus," has been found shot to death, and state and federal wildlife officials are investigating why.

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — One of Montana's biggest grizzly bears, a male that stood more than 7 1/2 feet tall and was informally known as "Maximus," has been found shot to death, and state and federal wildlife officials are investigating why.

The bear didn't have a history of feeding on livestock or having run-ins with people, and was shot outside of black bear hunting season, said Mike Madel, a grizzly bear management specialist with Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Hunters sometimes mistake grizzlies for black bears.

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The bear was discovered Aug. 12 by a rancher near Dupuyer in northwestern Montana. Madel believes the 9 1/2-year-old had been dead for about four weeks.

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