DNA: Bullet went through grizzly, killed hunter

LIBBY, Mont. -- Officials in northwestern Montana say a shot fired at a grizzly bear as it attacked a Nevada hunter passed through the bear before striking and killing the hunter.

The Western News reported tests requested by the Department of the Interior found grizzly bear DNA on the .30.06 bullet that killed 39-year-old Steve Stevenson of Winnemucca, Nev., on Sept. 16.

Stevenson and 20-year-old Ty Bell were hunting near the Montana-Idaho border when Bell shot what he thought was a black bear.

The men tracked the bear into heavy cover, where the 400-pound animal attacked Stevenson. Bell fired several shots trying to kill the bear.

Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe called the shooting a "horribly tragic accident." He says he doesn't expect charges will be filed, but that decision is up to the county attorney.