Alaska Hunter Injured by Bear Attack

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A 32-year-old hunter is recovering in an Anchorage hospital following a serious encounter with a brown bear on Saturday, August 17, on the Kenai Peninsula. The incident occurred on the Resurrection Pass Trail, where the hunter and his companion were attacked by the bear. In the chaos, the hunter sustained injuries from both the mauling and an accidental gunshot wound, the latter occurring as he and his companion attempted to fend off the bear. According to Alaska State Troopers, the hunter was seriously injured during the attack, which took place in a remote area near Abernathy Cabin. The circumstances leading to the attack remain unclear, but the hunter described the bear lunging at him while he was following his father along a narrow path. He recounted the moment of impact, likening it to being "hit by a train," and noted that he shot himself in the leg during the struggle. The bear was ultimately killed by the hunters during the incident. After receiving first aid in the field, the injured man was airlifted to a hospital for further treatment. As of now, he is reported to be in stable condition. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game emphasizes that while brown bears are common in the region, they typically do not pose a threat unless they feel threatened themselves. This attack follows another recent bear incident in Montana, highlighting ongoing concerns about human-wildlife interactions in the region.