Alaska hunter killed by grizzly

[Dave N]

Hunter killed by grizzly bear in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

A hunter was killed by a grizzly bear in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve over the weekend — the first known fatal bear mauling recorded in the area since it was established in 1980.

www.alaskasnewssource.com

 

[Bambistew]

Its going to be really interesting to hear all the details on this one. There is a whole lot of WTF...

 

[Steiny]

I hunted sheep in that area several years back with Pioneer Outfitters, Terry Overly.
Saw a few bears.

 

[diamond hitch]

You know those bears only eat nonresident visitors like in glacier park. It must be their diet. They tell me the locals aren't edible.

 

[PNWGator]

Sad. Heart goes out to his family, friends and all involved. Prayers.

 

[Dave N]

Update.

Hunter killed by bear in Wrangell-St. Elias died in ‘surprise attack’ while field-dressing moose, officials say

The National Park Service said a 22-year-old Ohio man was salvaging moose meat when he was killed in the national park’s first recorded fatal bear mauling.

www.adn.com

 

[Tiredofthebickering]

" The partner contacted their Tok-based air service using an InReach device, according to Maslen. The air service contacted authorities. By then, it was dark. The company picked up the partner the next morning. "

Man that must have been a rough night.

 

[LuketheDog]

Sounds like maybe an avoidable tragedy too if they had stayed together, how tragic for the friend and family...

 

[mdhunter61]

RIP Austin and prayers up for his family, and the friend who was with him.

 

[Griggs]

Poor guy. Easy to say it was avoidable, but Monday morning quarterbacking is always easy. I've been guilty of breaking down an animal like that before myself. And who hasn't done a solo hunt? Sad situation, but ya, that would have been one hell of an uneasy night. Return to camp and leave you buddy there? Stay with your buddy at a kill site? Tough choice either way, and I wouldn't have slept for one second.

 

[Dave N]

Yeah, was thinking the young age combined with being a non-res probably helped lead to being less bear aware. Not sure of the age of the partner, but I also thought I would NOT be getting any sleep that night!

 

[Werty]

Sounds like maybe an avoidable tragedy too if they had stayed together,

Or both could have be killed, you don't know.

 

[LuketheDog]

Or both could have be killed, you don't know.

That's why I said "maybe"...a lookout with a firearm may have made the difference, unfortunately we'll never know and a life was lost

 

[Northwoods]

Very sad. He was just out there doing what he enjoyed doing. When I was 25 I shot a moose in that area on a solo hunt. I spent all night quartering and packing that bugger out. I would definitely do things differently now that I’m older and not as brave but there’s really only so much we can do if a bear decides to attack.

 

[SFC B]

Going on my first hunt in "big" bear area soon and it is food for thought.

 

[one ate E grain]

Good write up here.

Second bear victim

This story is an edited version of the original. It was updated on Sept. 25, 2020 to reflect corrected information about what bear attack victim Austin Pfieiffer was doing at the time of the…

craigmedred.news

Craig is a journo who got mauled by a griz so that gives him some perspective, he's also a longtime resident of AK and well worth a follow.

Park Service spokesman who is also a hunter said they did nothing "wrong". Bad luck.