Hunter Accidentally Shot While Being Mauled by a Bear

A 32-year-old man was seriously injured in a brown bear attack that occurred in a remote area off Resurrection Pass Trail in southern Alaska over the weekend, southwest of Anchorage. And it wasn't just from the mauling, but from an accidental gunshot wound that happened during the fracas.

According to CBS News, both the injured man and his hunting companion opened fire on the animal, and the victim was struck in the leg, However, Alaska State Troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain said it was unclear who fired the shot. The bear was eventually killed, and the wounded hunter received medical treatment on the scene before being airlifted by helicopter to a nearby Anchorage hospital.

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"Alaska Wildlife Troopers received a report that a hunting party was attacked by a bear on the Resurrection Pass Trail near Cooper Landing, and they needed help," the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement on Monday. "The two adult male hunters were in the vicinity of Abernathy Cabin when they were attacked by a brown bear."

The Resurrection Pass Trail is a 39-mile route that passes through the Kenai Mountains, climbing from 500 to 2,600 feet. Alaska.org notes that the mountains feature "prime brown bear habitat," and visitors are advised to take precautions such as storing food in bear lockers or portable vaults, keeping a clean camp, carrying bear spray for deterrence, and being sure to make noise and pay attention.

Though hikers are said to commonly report encounters of both brown and black bears in the vicinity, the trail apparently gets enough regular human traffic that it does not have a reputation for "unusual bear problems." It's unclear what may have provoked the bear in this incident.