Timothy Hix, a 32 year old Jackson man was out hunting elk on Sunday morning when a bear rushed, and attacked him. The location was in Grand Teton National Park between Blacktail Ponds and Glacier View Overlooks. Hix did not see the bear until it was within close proximity and charging. The hunter did think he had enough time to use the bear spray the was on him and took to the balled position on the ground. Hix said the bear then took a couple bites and maybe struck him as well.
Lucky for Timothy, the bear left and he was able to get help by calling rangers on his cellphone. He is now in Jackson’s St Johns hospital reported in good condition. The kind of bear in the attack has not been determined, but Hix believes it was a Grizzly. This is only the sixth bear attack reported in Grand Teton National Park and none have resulted in fatalities.
If this is the future of hunting, it will become a little more interesting. At least it makes the playing field a little more equal.