Fatal Glacier Grizzly Attack Report Confirms Hiker Emptied Bear Spray

AmmoLand ^ | August 30, 2026 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, at about 9:30 pm, Anthony Polio was attacked by a mature grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail in Glacier National Park. Polio had time to draw and empty his 7.9-ounce Bear Guard bear spray before he was killed by the bear.

The official report on the incident has been released by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) Board of Review.  The Board of Review consisted of 10 people: 4 from federal agencies, 1 from Wyoming Game and Fish, and 5 from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. From the official report, p. 10:

Claw marks on a burned tree and a displaced stone suggested that the bear launched its attack from this point (Photo 4). This is also where the discharged canister of bear spray was located. 

The bear spray can was fully discharged. The empty can weighed 84 g. A new, full can of the same brand with the same expiration date weighed 312 g, a difference of 228g. The advertised quantity marked on the label was 225g.

Fallen trees and poor light would have probably obscured the bear. As the bear attacked, the victim fell or was thrown downhill. His path was littered with personal effects beginning 10 ft below the trail (Figure 2). We believe the bear followed Mr. Pollio downhill, continuing the attack. Spatters of blood increased in frequency and volume down the hill. Mr. Pollio’s ear was found approx. 40 ft downslope. A large pool of blood marked the limit of his descent 93 ft below the trail, (Figure 3).

The initial attack site was determined by the investigation. Empty bear spray was found about 10 feet to the left of the first tree across

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: attack; banglist; bear; spray

[marktwain]

Bear spray was emptied. Bear spray user was killed by the bear. This is the 9th person killed by a bear in North America after bear spray was used. There are two cases which are not definitively clear, which would make 11 people killed after bear spray was used.

[Jeff Chandler]

I wonder if the bears consider it a spice.

[oldasrocks]

Mexican bears?

[Jeff Chandler]

Pepper Tourist with rice and beans.

[Red Badger]

Bear Spray is supposed to repel bears.

Somebody forgot to tell the bears.......

[tlozo]

How to tell the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings?

Black bear poop is smaller and contains berries, leaves, and bits of fur.

Grizzly bear poop contains little bells and smells like pepper

[crusty old prospector]

I have been hiking twice at Glacier over the past five years and have seen grizzlies three times. We didn’t carry bear spray but I am pretty sure I could outrun my wife.

[marktwain]

Bear spray works about 90% of the time, but most of those are probably curious bears, not determined bears.

Handguns work better when the bear is determined. Handguns work about 98% of the time.

Only 1 person was killed by a bear after a handgun was fired in defense against a bear.

Worldwide, there have been at least 10 people killed by bears after bear spray was sprayed against a bear or bears.

The one case outside of North America was a famous Russian bear researcher in 2003.

[redangus]

It might deter a black bear in the Smokies, but it’s not going to faze a grizzly. There is a reason experienced fishing guides carry 45’s or 357’s when in grizzly and brown bear territory.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

My wife and I I have hiked in Glacier NP. She chuckled at your comment…but I sensed some nervousness.

[ChuckHam]

What do bears call bear spray?

Meat tenderizer.

[1FreeAmerican]

If you don’t tell the whole joke the “little bells” part makes no sense.

[crusty old prospector]

I always carry a walking stick. It helps with the tripping.

[Carry_Okie]

Did they find any tinkle-bells? /s

[Tijeras_Slim]

I wonder if he was able to get the spray on target.

[Lockbox]

Wow! Ten people panel to determine empty bear spray can, dead person due to pissed off bear (due to empty bear start can). That’s our Government Dollars at work!

Now, did the panel determine if the can was empty before or after the encounter?

[PetroniusMaximus]

Hiker empties bear spray.

Bear empties hiker.

[shelterguy]

“””Bear spray works about 90% of the time, but most of those are probably curious bears, not determined bears.

Handguns work better when the bear is determined. Handguns work about 98% of the time.””””””””””

That’s why I carry a Smith Wesson Model 29 in .44 magnum. I spray the bullets with pepper spray so it gets to the bear faster.

[Mark17]

I knew guys stationed at Elmendorf. They carried .44 magnums when they went on hikes. They never had to use them, but they were ready.

[Jeff Chandler]

My wife’s cousin was married to a guy who owned a gold mine up in Alaska, a big operation with heavy machinery that was only open four months out of the year due to extreme weather. He never went anywhere without his .44 Magnum.