A hunting party on popular trail in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula had to defend against an attacking grizzly bear after startling it while hiking through thick grass. 32-year-old Tyler Johnson was mauled by the bear. Alaska News Source reports as Johnson was falling backwards from the attack, he unholstered his pistol, unloaded on the bear and killed it. During the chaos Tyler shot himself in the left upper quad.
“It was like getting hit by a train and my feet went over my head. It put its teeth into my calf as I was falling backwards. I mean, he hit me at the same time I got my gun out and when I was falling backwards, I believe that’s when I shot myself in the leg.” -Tyler Johnson
A tourniquet was applied to his wounds while they wait for a rescue helicopter arrive. Tyler was flown to Anchorage for medical treatment is recovering from his injuries.
Alaska Department of State Troopers Statement:
Location: Resurrection Pass, Cooper Landing
Type: SAR / Bear Attack
Dispatch Text:
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.
30-minute interview with Tyler Johnson: