Old Groaner was killed near the junction of Cripple Creek and the Unuk river, a few miles downstream from the Canadian border.
Posted on 07/30/2022 7:06:35 AM PDT by marktwain
In early November 1935, at the upper reaches of the Unuk river in Southeastern Alaska, prospector, trapper, and logger, Bruce Johnstone, shot a near-world record grizzly bear in self-defense. The bear had been shot in the head previously but had survived and healed, leaving the skull deformed and the bear blind on the right side.
The skull was brought back to Ketchikan. The story was published in the February 1936 issue of the struggling Alaska Sportsman, written by F. W. Gabler. Gabler interviewed the shooter, Bruce Johnstone. Both Johnstone and Gabler were longtime residents in the Ketchikan area and likely knew each other well. Included in the story was an illustration by Gabler, photographs of the bear’s head and a front paw, and several angles of the skull showing where bullets were found.
This was the start of the mythology of Old Groaner. While Gabler indulged in speculation about the event where the bear had been wounded and what the bear was thinking, the reporting of the facts was probably accurate. The event was recent, the physical evidence was fresh, and Bruce Johnstone (as later reported by a close associate) had an excellent memory. Gabler wrote some of the best-known articles for the early Alaska Sportsman. His last article in the Alaska Sportsman, known to this correspondent, appeared six months after the early, tragic death of his wife in August of 1936.
The Old Groaner story circulated around the campfires and near the wood stoves of Alaska sportsmen, residents, hunters, trappers, and fishermen. Embellishments were likely added. The definitive moment of the creation of the Old Groaner myth occurred when W.H. “Handlogger” Jackson rewrote the story for the Alaska Sportsman in 1953.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Old Groaner was killed near the junction of Cripple Creek and the Unuk river, a few miles downstream from the Canadian border.
The Old Groaner myth as done a lot to perpetuate the myth the handguns are not useful for bear defense.
“Old Groaner”
Great story Dean.
When I was in Alaska in the early eighties, there was a book called “Alaskan Bear Tails”. I read a few of the stories in it, I don’t know who wrote it, but it was written in a folksy style and was an amusing read. I think most of the stories were from the mid 1800’s through 1950 or so, either verified tales or mountain legends.
7:20 in the misty morning here. A shot rang out from the neighbor’s just as I read the last sentence of the article.
He’s right next to the edge of the forested mountain and gets most of the wildlife through his place.
Bear season opens Monday.
Nice article. I’m looking forward to part II, since I have enjoyed reading Handloggers, and still own a copy.
The legend and myth grew all out of proportion to the events, because it is just too good of a story not to add a little bit...
Publication of parts II through IV depend on how AmmoLand wants to time them.
They are written. Part II is at AmmoLand for editors to look at.
Larry Kaniut has made a whole series of the "Bear tales" books.
His work contributing to the Old Groaner legend is included in Part IV of the series.
Larry did not do anything wrong, he just depended on previous works.
Not far from where I live. Thinking of doing a bear hunt this year.
My daughter, 1.4 mile away, just texted, bear in her yard right now!
When I go hiking, my Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum and my Black Lab go with me.
Man, dog, and gun are a very difficult combination to beat.
Wheel guns for bear protection is so 20th century. I take my Glock 20 with Buffalo Bore 220 gr, and my black Lab. That's the go-to bear protection pistol and ammo in Alaska today. The black Lab is my early warning system.
We only have black bears where I live. We had bird feeders for several years until a black bear decided those were bear feeders. One of the feeders had some solid mild steel arms about 3/8” in diameter. One of those was arms was virtually tied into a knot.
Black bear 125-250 lb..
How about a .44 magnum Desert Eagle?
At $1702 it's more of the novelty pistol. And ammo must be expensive and hard to find. I paid $515 for my Glock 20 and I can find ammo anywhere.
OK, how a Contender chambered in .30-06? Its the right idea except for the single shot limit. ;-D
Caliber is less important than most people think.
Mostly true. I’d prefer something big for Grizzly, just the same. ;-D
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