Posted on 10/09/2025 5:08:20 AM PDT by marktwain
A 72-year-old man, Vernon Patton, was working on a gravel road with his tractor when a 70-pound juvenile male black bear attacked him. The attack happened on September 3, 2025, in the Mulberry Mountain area of Arkansas. The attack occurred near Highway 23, just south of the Mulberry Mountain lodge. Vernon’s son came by to check on him. The son saw his father being attacked and drove off the bear by throwing rocks at it. From foxnews.com:
A 72-year-old man had to be airlifted to the hospital this week after he was mauled by a 70-pound bear in Arkansas, state Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Keith Stephens confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“His injuries were extensive,” he told Fox News Digital.
He added to the Arkansas Times: “It was a pretty severe attack. It attacked him on his face, his arms, his upper body.”
Patton was being cared for in the Intensive Care Unit in Little Rock. It appears he never regained enough to describe what happened. From 4029tv.com:
“Our beloved father, grandfather, husband and hero, Vernon Patton, was seriously injured in a bear attack while he was doing what he loved, working on his land with his family. Vernon is currently being cared for in the ICU in Little Rock. While he remains in stable condition, his injuries are extensive and ultimately not survivable.
On September 14, 2025, Vernon Patton succumbed to his injuries. From nwahomepage.com:
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Fort PAYNE!
My GS, summer weight hangs around 100 lbs, winter weight 110 lbs. If I get him up on his hind legs, he looks me straight in the eyes, I'm 6'3". Still, a 70 lb bear is nothing to mess with.
It’s them again Yogi
A Magnum Revolver would be a Helpful.
A Magnum Revolver would be a Helpful.
Yes. However caliber does not seem to be super important.
Several people have used .22 LR firearms effectively to stop attacks by bears.
https://www.ammoland.com/2020/10/bear-attacks-and-20-instances-of-22-rimfire-used-for-survival/
That’s a small bear... odd attack to say the least.
Must have got him down or he tripped and the bear was on him. I see them from time to time and they always run once they spot me.
My Great Pyrenees dog weighs in at 126lbs.
If that man had just had a .9mm handgun he could have killed that bear.
In GA the average size of a black bear is only 125 lbs so it doesn’t take that much firepower to put one down. We carry a .9mm in the woods. That’s not to say there isn’t a 300 pounder running around because there are but hopefully we don’t run into it.
If you kill a bear in GA outside of licensed hunting season its like the end of the world. So we are now lousy with them.
Another incident very recently near this attack, a bear harassed some campers overnight.
There are a lot of small lightweight handguns that would be very useful in teaching some bears a little bit of fear.
Since we can’t purchase artillery simulators - sheesh. Those would be effective, and fun!
I regularly walk our road in rural WV for exercise. Generally before sunrise.
Last week, work got in the way and I did my usual walk in the evening just before dark. Saw two black bear, probably juveniles, right next to the road. They bolted pretty quick - before I could get a pic.
We see a bear about once every 3 or so years and it’s usually a fleeting glance.
Thought about carrying my pistol on my morning walk as a result, but thought better of it. Now I’m not so sure. I hate to expose it to the weather and sweat for nothing. I guess the bears should be hibernated soon enough...
Also, if I don’t have time to get out my phone and get a pic, chances are I’m not going to be able to retrieve my pistol any faster.
I been in bear cou8ntry my whole life been hunting and killing bears for over 50 years.
I just killed one Tuesday in season with a lic.
I have been trained with spray and one never recommends it for use with out a firearm back up against a armed opponent.
Bears are always armed and are faster and strong then almost any human.
The reason to use spray is if one is worried about harming the bear.
Other wise learn and use a good firearm you have much better chance of survival then with spray.
The bear doesn’t to bad so sad.
Wes Larson can pound sand with is piss poor advice;
“A 72-year-old man, Vernon Patton, was working on a gravel road with his tractor when a 70-pound juvenile male black bear attacked him. “
He may have never seen/heard the bear coming.
This is why I always carry during all waking hours (except in the shower, of course).
Seems the man was Farming and a .22 would have a Chance to Walk away.
I suggested a .357 because it’s versatile with ammo. From 38 special to Buffalo Bore Hardcast to wimpy Snake Shot!
.
A 4inch .357 6 shot is a Very Useful Tool.
.
Get Some!
It would also knock my puny arse to the ground
😆
So that’s a hopeful article as I only have .22 LR.
The only “ spray” I’d have any faith in would be hairspray and a lighter.
Ponderosa Campground AZ.
Great article Dean.
.
To many accounts of;
“Just Tried to run it off.”
Then the Critter Died, accidentally.
.
“I feared for My Life!” may
Have been a better response.
She probably worries about it, too. 😃
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