A hunter is recovering in Anchorage from both a mauling and a gunshot wound.
Thirty-two-year-old Tyler Johnson and his father were hunting on the Kenai peninsula when the attack happened. The hunters killed the bear during the attack.
According to state troopers, the incident happened on Resurrection Pass Trail near Cooper Landing. The hunter sustained serious injuries. According to a video Johnson shot after the incident, he was falling backward while the bear attacked. He unholstered his 10mm pistol and shot at the bear. During the attack, he shot himself accidentally in the leg.
The Alaskan Department of Information released the following statement:
On August 17, 2024, at 3pm, 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 two adult male hunters were in the vicinity of Abernathy Cabin when they were attacked by a brown bear. One 32-year-old male was seriously injured by the bear and also as the result of a gunshot wound during attempts to stop the attack. First aid was administered in the field. The injured male was transported to an Anchorage hospital in DPS HELO-3 for treatment of his injuries. The second male was transported by an Alaska Rescue Coordination Center rescue team. The bear was killed by the hunters during the attack and ADF&G staff in Soldotna have been notified.
It is worth noting that the salmon are currently running in Alaska, which may or may not have any relation to this event. However, it does lead to increased bear activity as they put on much-needed weight before winter.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the hunter’s name and other details that have come to light since publishing.
