Should have been a dead bear but as employees of a Nature Conservancy organization most likely didn't believe in such things.

FLORENCE, Wis. — A 64-year-old man was treated for puncture wounds and a small cut to his leg after a bear attack Thursday near Meyers Falls in the town of Florence, officials said Monday.


Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials closed the road to Meyers Falls after the incident Thursday morning as a precautionary measure. Since no additional bear activity has been reported, the road was scheduled to re-open Monday, DNR Conservation Warden Kelly Crotty said.

The man and a woman, both employees of the Nature Conservancy organization, were conducting a bird survey about 5 a.m. Thursday on state land about a half-mile northwest of Meyers Falls when the man spotted a small bear less than 100 yards away, Crotty said.

The bear, described as not much bigger than a large dog, initially started walking to the left, but then turned and charged the pair.

It bit the man on the right thigh for about 10 to 15 seconds before releasing its grip and running off, Crotty said.

The man was able to walk a half-mile to a vehicle, and an ambulance met him in Florence to transport him to Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.

He received nine sutures for two puncture wounds and a small cut and was released about two hours later, Crotty said.

As at least one cub was seen at the time of the incident, DNR officials believe the bear was a mother and the two people may have come between her and her cubs, prompting her to attack.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office assisted the DNR.