On June 19, 2021, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call of a camper who had been bitten by a bear at Mystic Lake. The patient was too injured to make the trip down, but found a nearby runner who was able to quickly make it to cell service and call 911.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers, Deputies, Paramedics, and LifeFlight Network personnel responded to the area. Responders immediately began searching the service road leading to the lake, and LifeFlight began searching from the air. LifeFlight personnel located the patient not far from Mystic Lake. The patient was treated on site then air lifted to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreational enthusiasts to always be aware of their surroundings. There have been several bear sightings in and around Gallatin County. If you are camping, make sure your food is locked away, or in a container which cannot be opened by wildlife.