An Idaho hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear Friday might have saved his own life – with help from his companion – by deploying bear spray as he was being knocked to the ground.
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the unidentified victim was archery hunting for elk with a friend when the two encountered what they described as a grizzly bear at close range in dense foliage.
The bear charged as the victim began to deploy his spray. His companion also sprayed the bear, which fled after a few tense and harrowing seconds.
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The hunters walked out of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest backcountry and the victim was transported via ambulance to a hospital in Rexburg, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident near Two Top Mountain led to the posting of bear warning signs and prompted this statement from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game:
“Hunters and other forest users are reminded to always be prepared when in bear country by carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.”
–Grizzly bear image courtesy of IDFG