Grizzly mauling near Yellowstone kills backcountry guide

[Dave @ Oware]

”

Mock when attacked had bear spray — a Mace-like deterrent meant to protect against attacks — but officials said they did not know if he managed to use it. Bear spray canisters have safety tabs to prevent them from going off accidentally and the safety tab on Mock’s bear spray was off, Jacobsen said.

The grizzly was killed Friday after it charged a group of seven game wardens and other personnel as they approached the scene of the attack. Several people fired at the animal and it died about 20 yards (18 meters) from the group, Jacobsen said.”

[Paul Wagner]

The bear was protecting its kill.  A carcass was only a few yards from where the man was attacked, and why the bear did not leave when confronted with a large group of wardens.

[Daniel Oxnard]

Young bear? When I was a kid I stabbed my friends hand with my fork when he tried to take food off my plate in the cafeteria. I didn’t know what the rules were …

[David Thomas]

Not a young bear.  A solo male.   “At least 420 pounds”

Since 2010 grizzlies in the Yellowstone region have killed eight people, including Mock. Three died inside the park.

While Denali NP had it’s first only fatal bear attack in 100 years in 2012.

Of course, there are far fewer tourists at Denali than Yellowstone, but they’re also much better educated about bears and managed (the tourists, that is).

Although, in this more recent Yellowstone case, there’s nothing obvious the hiker did wrong.

[John L]

Wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunate for both. Condolences to the family of this hiker.

[Dave @ Oware]

Unusual for a bear to attack seven people at once.

[John S.]

nm

[Luke Schmidt]

Very sad.

For the record I would assume the game warden posse was somewhat spread out so there was room to shoot etc. For backpackers bunching up is a better strategy.

[Author]

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