Archery hunter survives grizzly bear attack

An archery hunter was taken to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg Monday morning after he was attacked by a grizzly bear. The 55-year-old hunter is from Idaho Falls and owns a cabin in Island Park. His name was not released.

The hunter was in the Yale Creek area near Sawtell Peak on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. He sustained injuries to his hand and wrist. The hunter hiked out of the area under his own power. He was transported to Madison Memorial for treatment.

Investigators said the man suffered no broken bones, but some soft tissue injuries.

Although he was carrying bear spray, the man told Idaho Fish and Game Department officers he could not access the spray. He tried to shoot the bear several times with a .44 magnum revolver pistol at point-blank range. He said the bear had three cubs with her.

A Fish and Game investigation team found the hunter’s hat at the site of the shooting. The hunter had recorded the GPS location.

There was no evidence the bear had been injured. But, the team did find a cached deer, indicating the bear was trying to protect a food source and her cubs.

Investigation is continuing.