Rancher fined for killing grizzly

A Cut Bank rancher has agreed to pay a $2,000 fine for illegally shooting a protected grizzly bear on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation last year, while authorities continue to investigate three additional grizzly deaths in northwest Montana. Special Agent Brian Lakes of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who investigated the Blackfeet Indian Reservation case, said the agreement was reached between U.S. Attorney's Office in Missoula and rancher Jim Seewald. Seewald, 34, said he came upon the bear feeding on a cow carcass as he reached a hilltop on his all-terrain vehicle May 28, 2008, east of the Port of Del Bonita near the Canadian border. He was checking on his cattle at the time. He was frightened and surprised because he had never seen a grizzly that far east, he said. Seewald, who said he came within 10 yards of the bear, called the shooting "straight up self- defense." "I'm not ecstatic about getting a fine, because I didn't think I did anything wrong," he said. "But I can see why I got a fine ... returning with a larger rifle to finish the bear off." Seewald first shot the bear with a .22, injuring it, then returned later with his rifle and killed it, Lakes said. He reported the shooting to fish and game authorities on the reservation the next morning...GreatFallsTribune