Alaska Hunter Accidentally Shoots Himself During A Brown Bear Attack

A seasoned Alaskan hunter is currently recovering after surviving a brutal brown bear attack, during which he accidentally shot himself while defending against the bear.

He has come forward to share the harrowing details of the incident, highlighting the dangers hunters can face in the wild. This incident is not the first of its kind; in November 2023, a veteran lost his jaw due to a similar gun misfire during a bear attack.

These bear attack incidents highlight the escalating dangers of wildlife encounters across the United States.

Three days after a terrifying encounter with a brown bear on the Kenai Peninsula, Tyler Johnson shared the details of his near-fatal experience. 

In an interview, Johnson described the intense moments on Saturday afternoon when the bear charged him on Resurrection Pass Trail, just near Abernathy Cabin.

Recalling the moment, he compared the impact to being "hit by a train," emphasizing how powerful the bear's charge was. The attack was so forceful that it knocked him off his feet and flipped him over.

The hunter also highlighted the split-second decisions he had to make, stating, "It put its teeth into my calf as I was falling backward. I mean, he hit me at the same time I got my gun out."

However, it was at this moment that the misfiring occurred. According to Alaska News Source, Johnson mentions that in the chaos, he believes that he accidentally shot himself in the leg while attempting to fend off the bear. In his words,

"When I was falling backward, I believe that's when I shot myself in the leg." 

The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that the attack took place on Saturday afternoon along the Resurrection Pass Trail near Cooper Landing.

This area is reportedly popular for outdoor activities. The authorities disclosed that emergency services quickly responded to the incident. 

Johnson, who was seriously injured by both the bear and the accidental gunshot, was airlifted by a DPS helicopter to an Anchorage hospital. There, he received treatment for his injuries and is reportedly in stable condition.

Johnson's incident is not the first of its kind. In November, Noorlander, a seasoned hunter with years of backcountry experience, had his own life-altering encounter with a grizzly bear.

The Blast reported that the incident took place in Big Sky, Montana, during a routine trail trip. While helping clients locate a wounded deer, Noorlander encountered a 10-foot grizzly. 

In a tragic twist, his gun misfired just as the bear lunged, leading to a brutal attack that left him with a severely injured jaw. The veteran described the chilling moment when the bear struck, "In one second, just enough time for me to pull the gun up and fire—and it was on me." 

Noorlander suffered extensive injuries, including the loss of the front of his lower jaw, and required intensive surgery.

Despite the ordeal, Noorlander, who went home to his daughter Ashley and their dog Sully, remained grateful for his survival. "I'm only here by the grace of God," he shared.

Ashley, deeply shaken by her father's ordeal, was a pillar of support, helping him through recovery. She acknowledged the overwhelming support from strangers and the community, which was crucial in Noorlander's healing journey.

In another harrowing tale, a peaceful night at a Montana campground turned into a nightmare when a black bear attacked a three-year-old girl as she slept in her tent.

The Blast reported that the incident occurred just north of Yellowstone National Park, an area known for frequent wildlife encounters. The bear, believed to have been attracted by human food and garbage, entered the tent and attacked the child. 

Authorities quickly evacuated the campground and launched a search for the bear. The animal believed to be responsible was captured and euthanized the following day. 

The young girl was rushed to a hospital in Billings, though her condition was unknown at the time. Investigators disclosed that they found food and trash around the campsite, likely contributing to the bear's aggressive behavior.

Just days before the Montana incident, a jogger in California had a close call with a black bear while running in the Long Barn community near the Sierra Nevada. The jogger encountered a female bear and her cub, prompting a chase that forced him to run up an embankment. 

In a desperate attempt to defend himself, the man used a stick to ward off the bear and sought cover behind a tree. However, the bear continued its pursuit, attacking the jogger as he climbed onto a parked vehicle in a nearby residential area. 

Fortunately, a nearby homeowner's shouts scared the bear away, allowing the man to escape with injuries to his back, side, and legs. He was later treated at Adventist Health in Sonora and was reported to be in stable condition.

The string of bear attacks serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of outdoor adventures, especially in the woods.