Black bear killed inside Montana home

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CHOTEAU, Mont., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A Montana rancher said he shot and killed a black bear when he arrived home to find the animal wandering around inside of his house.

Lane Yeager of Choteau said he arrived home around 9 p.m. Monday to find the bear, which was tagged, had rifled through his pantry and was exploring his home, the Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune reported Wednesday.

"It was dark out. I was headed for the light switch when it ran across ahead of me," Yeager said. "That's when I knew I had an issue."

"I killed it so someone else wouldn't have to," he said. "We're fat with grizzlies but the black bear was off the beaten path."

Mike Madel, a grizzly bear management specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said the bear, a young male, had entered the house by breaking through a window screen.

"A screen is not much of a barrier if they can smell food," Madel said.

He said the animal was probably in the home for about an hour before Yeager arrived home.