Tote-n-Float Pacific Northwest Adventures

Here's a grizzly bear attack story that will get your attention. I first heard it from a friend at work who sent me the account in the following email. 

From: Denny & Jo Paola
Subject: Fw: grizzly bear
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008
Subject: Grizzly Attack
 

Hello to all!

Many of you know that my brother-in-law (Bridgett's husband), Ron, was attacked by a grizzly bear last weekend in Wyoming , while bow hunting elk with his dad.

Ron amazingly came through with non-life threatening injuries.

Ron, who is an experienced hunter and used to be a guide was calling an elk for his dad who was down hill 40 yards. The elk suddenly spooked and then Ron heard a noise behind him. He turned around and a grizzly was 15 feet behind him. He tried to shoo it away, but it proceeded toward him. He went behind a tree and the bear kept coming, so he took off on his "death run" down hill towards his dad.
With the grizzly just feet behind his son, and running full speed, Ron's dad shot one arrow.
Ron saw the arrow fly by his leg, unsure of whether it hit the bear, and within a few more steps Ron was on his back with the grizzly on top of him. With his arms shielding his head, Ron kicked and punched the bear with all he had. Ron said it all went to fast, and he was so full of adrenaline, that he could not feel any pain at the time of the attack. When the bear continued to attack, Ron's dad could see that the bear was bleeding badly from the arrow, and he went over and started beating on the bear with his bow (You cannot carry guns during bow hunting, so he had nothing to shoot it with). The bear continued to attack Ron, biting clear through his left hand and glove and down to the bone of his right arm just below the elbow. Then the bear stopped. Looking at Ron's dad, it walked away several yards and rolled over dead. 

The bear was autopsied and showed that it was well over 500 lbs (the grizzlies in that area average 350lbs) and 11 years old (which is in it's prime). Following the path of the arrow, the autopsy showed that the arrow went in, hit a main artery, then bent and hit the heart!
A one in a thousand shot they said.

Amazing story I just had to share!

Grizzly bears are dangerous, at least that's what I read in the literature. Fortunately, I've never run into one. Here's a summary of important points related to being around them.

1. A grizzly bear will react to your presence at about 100 yards.

2. Never run from a grizzly, because this will only trigger pursuit. You cannot outrun a grizzly, as they can run at 35-40 mph.

3. Play dead? Yes and no. If you are charged by a grizzly, stand your ground unless/until the bear makes contact, then play dead. If a bear is tearing into your tent at night, do not play dead. It plans on eating you, and you must fight for your life. There is an interesting story of a grizzly walking up on Meriwether Lewis, where Lewis stood his ground until face to face with the bear. The bear spooked and bolted away.  

4. "Food-conditioned, habituated grizzlies have a history of killing and eating people." (Dave Smith)

5. Grizzlies, like black bears, use the same pathways as people: trails, logging roads, ridge lines, saddles and natural passage ways. It's never a good idea to camp or store food near these routes.

6. Keep pepper spray accessible at your cooking site.

7. Bear bells are not reliable, and only work if bears have learned to associate the sound of bells with people. Don't depend on them for safety, rather keep alert and aware of your environment, and give grizzlies a wide birth.