The trail of a wounded grizzly bear in Island Park has gone cold.   Idaho Fish and Game regional supervisor Steve Schmidt says seven officers, including five Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers and two US Fish and Wildlife officers began trailing the bear about 9:30 am Sunday, but gave it up around 3:15 pm.  The search centered in the Last Chance area of Island Park, about three quarters of a mile east of US 20. 

Five hunters told officials they were attempting to retrieve an elk they shot Saturday morning when the bear charged them.  They claimed to have fired about a dozen shots with handguns and a shotgun before the bear turned and ran, leaving a blood trail.

Schmidt said the tracking crew fully expected to find a dead bear.  Instead, he says the blood trail "petered out", leaving searchers to conclude the bear was probably not severely wounded.  They did confirm the bear was a grizzly. Trackers also found the elk.  It had been "cached", or buried by the bear.

Schmidt does not suspect the grizzly will be any unusual threat to Island Park residents.  He does remind that the region is
 bear country and hunters should expect to encounter grizzlies in the back country and be prepared for them.

Campers and homeowners are also advised to make sure they don't leave out food or garbage that may attract bears.