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A missing Calgary hunter has been found dead after a grizzly bear attack in Kananaskis Country.

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He went hunting near the Picklejar Creek Trail on Saturday morning, but didn’t return home that evening as expected. His family reported him missing to police Sunday morning.

Rick Cross was found dead by search teams Monday. RCMP also recovered his rifle but did not say whether he had attempted to fire it.

“During the search today, we discovered his remains,” said Const. Virgil Bitz of the Kananaskis RCMP. “He sustained severe trauma from a grizzly bear attack.”

Cross’ family in Calgary was notified by the Calgary Police Service on Monday night.

RCMP believe there are a couple of reasons for what’s being called a defensive attack by the bear.

“It’s the time of year when bears start getting anxious about getting enough food for winter, so they are a little more protective of their food sources. There was a freshly killed deer cache in the vicinity,” said Bitz. “There was a cub as well.