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An archery enthusiast was injured in a grizzly bear confrontation this past Sunday in the secluded stretches of northern Idaho, according to state wildlife authorities.
While bow hunting for elk in the vicinity of Henrys Lake in Island Park—an isolated region roughly 60 miles west of Yellowstone National Park known for its untouched natural beauty—the man stumbled upon the bear, Idaho Fish and Game reported. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest, where the attack happened, told of how the bear knocked the hunter to the ground and bit him.
The duo responded by firing their sidearms, successfully halting the attack and resulting in the bear’s death. After the incident, emergency calls were made, and the victim was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for medical attention.
Upon investigation, Idaho Fish and Game verified that the shooting was an act of self-defense following an unexpected close encounter with the bear. Fortunately, the hunter’s injuries are not expected to be fatal.
“I am deeply thankful both men made it out alive,” expressed Matt Pieron, a regional supervisor for Idaho Fish and Game. He added that he had made contact with the injured hunter and his family, describing them as remarkable people, and expressed hopes for a brisk recovery from both the physical and emotional scars suffered.
Home to the expansive Caribou-Targhee National Forest, this area spans across eastern Idaho to the borders of Montana and Wyoming and is one of the few places in the contiguous U.S. where grizzlies, also known as brown bears, still roam—especially after decades of aggressive hunting had once driven them to near extinction in the region.
Protected under the Endangered Species Act, grizzly bears cannot be hunted. Despite their protection, incidents occasionally occur.
Moreover, another grizzly-related injury was reported the same Sunday near Calgary, Alberta, where a man suffered significant, potentially life-threatening wounds, Canadian broadcaster CBC noted. On average, North America sees about 11 to 12 brown bear attacks on humans per year, as per data from the National Institutes of Health.