https://www.cbsnews.com/news/g...ots-himself-wyoming/


Hunter shoots himself while fighting off grizzly bear attack in Wyoming

OCTOBER 24, 2022 / 6:32 AM / CBS/AP


A hunter accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to fight off a grizzly bear attack in west-central Wyoming - the second such attack in a week's time, officials said.

Lee Francis, 65, of Evanston, was taken to the University of Utah Health hospital for treatment after the encounter on Friday, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office said. Sue Winchester, a hospital spokesperson, said Sunday she did not have permission to release any information about Francis' condition.


Francis was hunting with his son in an area south of Grand Teton National Park on Friday evening when the bear attacked him. He was able to fire several rounds from his handgun, causing the bear to run away, but one of the rounds hit Francis in the lower leg, the sheriff's office said.


His son used a satellite phone to call for help just before 6 p.m., then began providing first aid. His son was able to help his father onto a horse and they headed toward a nearby lake to meet search and rescue crews. Francis was eventually taken to the hospital via helicopter, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Wildlife officials have not located the grizzly bear, Sgt. Travis Bingham with the Sublette County Sheriff's Office said Sunday. Because it was snowing, Game and Fish planned to try to search for the bear again on Monday, weather permitting, he said.

Wyoming Game and Fish was also notified and game wardens are currently conducting an investigation, the sheriff's office said.

Friday's attack was the second grizzly bear mauling in Wyoming in a week.

Two Northwest College wrestlers were attacked by a grizzly bear while they were searching for antlers shed by deer and elk in the Cody area on Oct. 15.

The bear first attacked Brady Lowry, of Cedar City, Utah, breaking his arm and causing other injuries.


Kendell Cummings yelled at and kicked the bear and threw rocks at it before pulling on its ear to get it to stop. However, the bear turned its fury on Cummings, attacking him twice. Cummings, who is from Evanston, underwent several hours of surgery and ended up with about 60 staples in his head and hundreds of stitches to treat his injuries, his father said in a social media post.

"It was horrific. The boys exhibited courage that people can't even imagine," KTVQ quoted head wrestling coach Jim Zeigler as saying. "They do love each other and we communicate constantly through group text and one of the things I always say to them is, you know, thank you for loving each other, and it paid [off]. "

I heard he used a 10mm but information is rather scarcest for now.

I know an Alaskan hunting guide who did basically the same thing.
He had been mauled a year or two earlier so started packing a handgun, A Glock 9mm if I remember correctly, and when another bear charged him he shot himself in the leg !

As a LEO instructor we taught our people how to shoot after falling down.

Lots of dry firing first. Live range was done slowly for effect.

Good Practice is the key to doing anything the best way .

Like most people he would have been better off with bear spray. Hurts less when you shoot yourself.

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Like most people he would have been better off with bear spray.

BS

Not true with the bear spray. Go practice using that stuff and see if it gets on you. No fun to be blind and fighting off a bear. If you are going to be around bears get a judge.

lucky they got out Friday.

that storm got super nasty on Saturday, I couldn't see 50yds and I was only at about 8-K feet.

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If you are going to be around bears get a judge.

IMHO there are far better handguns of defense against bears then a Judge.

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Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

If you are going to be around bears get a judge.

IMHO there are far better handguns
of defense against bears then a Judge.

Fully agree.