Earlier this week, a man nearly lost his life to a brown bear while hiking in the Alaskan wilderness with his father. Tyler Johnson, 32, was off-trail hunting on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska on Saturday when he and his father encountered the bear. They were in an open area, at least two miles from the nearest road, when the bear charged at them suddenly.
Johnson explained the incident, stating it happened in about four seconds after a growl, as he told CNN on Wednesday. Initially, the bear rushed towards his father before slamming Johnson to the ground and biting his leg. Johnson managed to draw his 10mm pistol and fired, emptying the clip into the bear but accidentally shooting through his own calf.
Johnson described how bears are deliberate in their actions and only stop when they are dead or dying. The father and son both shot at the bear, eventually killing it. After the attack, they immediately tried to control Johnson’s wound.
Camping this wknd…Friday had a black bear walk into (not outside) our camp & open a plastic bin while we were chillin. No food, + items in a bear bin, but she had cubs. She left & the next day slept in a tree near us for 4 hours 😴Cute but she did rip someone else’s tent nearby. pic.twitter.com/e9WaIU6YEE
— Tyler Pilgrim (@ATLPilgrim) June 11, 2024
Johnson recalled looking down at his leg and telling his father, “Dad, I shot myself.” His father then applied a tourniquet below Johnson’s knee and wrapped the wound in gauze. He used an SOS device to contact emergency troopers, informing them of Johnson’s injury.
Chris Johnson, Tyler’s father, is an Alaska State Trooper with over 30 years of experience with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Tyler credited his father’s expertise with bear attacks for saving his life. Johnson mentioned that adrenaline kept him from feeling much pain immediately after being bitten and shot, likening the sensation to pressure or a charley horse.
While waiting for rescue, Johnson recorded four videos of the scene. The pain surged after recording, and he used breathing techniques, music, and stories about previous hunting trips to distract himself. His father’s encouragement and presence helped him through the difficult moments. Johnson expressed comfort in having his father by his side during the ordeal.
Camping this wknd…Friday had a black bear walk into (not outside) our camp & open a plastic bin while we were chillin. No food, + items in a bear bin, but she had cubs. She left & the next day slept in a tree near us for 4 hours 😴Cute but she did rip someone else’s tent nearby. pic.twitter.com/e9WaIU6YEE
— Tyler Pilgrim (@ATLPilgrim) June 11, 2024
Rescue officials eventually arrived, loaded Johnson onto a tarp, and transported him by helicopter to a hospital in Anchorage, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Johnson received an IV en route to the hospital and pain medication upon arrival.
He is recovering with a bandaged wound and antibiotics, without needing surgery. Officials later informed Johnson that troopers found a cub in the area where the attack occurred. Johnson had been puzzled by the bear’s aggressive behaviour initially.
Johnson was scheduled to start a new job in Austin, Texas, after the hiking trip. His wife and young son have already relocated and have been in contact with him during his recovery. He aims to complete his recovery in Anchorage next week and then return to Austin to begin his new job.
What Other Media Are Saying
- 48 Hours reports on a hunter in Alaska who was seriously injured in a bear attack, accidentally shot while trying to fend off the animal.(read more)
- People reports that a 32-year-old man in Alaska has survived a bear attack, being shot in the leg by a fellow hunter who tried to stop the attack.(read more)
- CNN reports that a 32-year-old man in Alaska was shot by a hunter trying to fend off a brown bear that attacked him.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Tyler Johnson while hiking in Alaska?
Tyler Johnson was attacked by a brown bear while hiking off-trail on the Kenai Peninsula.
How did Tyler Johnson defend himself against the bear?
Tyler Johnson used a 10mm pistol and emptied the clip into the bear.
How did Tyler Johnson’s father help him after the bear attack?
His father rigged a tourniquet, wrapped his wound in gauze, and contacted emergency troopers.
What helped Johnson cope with the pain while waiting for rescue?
Johnson used breathing techniques, listened to music, and talked to his dad to distract himself from the pain.
What did officials discover at the attack site later?
Officials discovered a cub in the area, explaining the bear’s aggressive behavior.