GRIZZLY ATTACKS

The early explorers of the Rocky Mountains were familiar with grizzly bear attacks. Some famous mountain men of the early 1800’s were mauled by grizzlies. In 1822, Hugh Glass, Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger were among a group of trappers traveling to the Yellowstone when Glass surprised a mother grizzly and her cubs. The sow set upon Glass before he could get off a shot. Hugh found himself in the grip of the bear. Drawing his knife, he repeatedly stabbed the animal as it continually raked him with her claws. He managed to kill the bear with the help of other trappers but the injuries to him were severe. He was left for dead by Jim Bridger and John Fitzgerald after Indians arrived at the scene. Glass set his own leg, bandaged himself as best he could and crawled and walked 200 miles to Fort Kiowa. The incident was the inspiration for the 1971 movie “Man in the Wilderness”.

Two years later, Jedediah Smith was leading a trapping party to the Yellowstone valley when he was surprised and attacked by a large grizzly bear along the Cheyenne River (eastern Wyoming).  He suffered broken ribs and his side was torn open. The bear took Smith’s head in its mouth and his scalp (including one ear) was nearly torn from his skull before the grizzly retreated. His companions cleaned and stitched up his ear, scalp and side. He recovered from his injuries but grew his hair long to cover the large scar and deformed ear.

Last week, Brett Panting was conducting a survey on grizzly habitat when he surprised a bear in the Davis Lake area near Big Bend Ridge. Brett was unable to deploy his bear spray before being attacked. The bear ran off after biting him. He was treated at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for puncture wounds and lacerations. He is reported to be home and doing well.

Attacks by startled grizzlies are meant to show domination over their environment.  Due to the increasing number of grizzlies in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, the danger of a bear attack is as great as it was during the time of Glass and Smith.

Berry picking and bow hunting seasons entice us deeper into the grizzly’s realm, increasing the odds of an encounter. Here are a few of my rules for operating in grizzly country:

1.   Avoid thick vegetation, especially willows.

2.   If not scouting or hunting, take a dog with you. They make great bear alarms.

3.   Carry bear spray and replace it every two years to ensure its potency.

4.   When walking through the woods, move slowly; look (for fresh scat, tracks and the bear itself), listen (for movement) and smell for bears (they stink).

5.   If you come upon a bear, do not turn and run. They will chase you. Freeze and assess the situation. Do not give away your position with any sudden movements. Back away very slowly and look for a tree you can climb (grizzlies don’t climb) if the bear advances on you.

6.   If the bear charges, act BIG! Take a step forward, raise your hand high above you head and yell. It may stop the charge while he reconsiders his response. It may buy you the time to get out your spray and/or weapon or he may wander off.

7.   In the event of a surprise attack, you may have to become submissive. Drop to the ground, curl into a ball and cover your neck. Going toe-to-toe with a Grizzly will not end well!

Even with the best outdoor skills, grizzly attacks are inevitable when sharing the forest with the top of nature’s food chain. Be cautious and stay safe.