Utah man feels lucky to have survived bear attack

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=7717153 ^

[wintertime]

CARBON COUNTY -- A 78-year-old man was attacked by a bear and saved by his family early Friday morning. The man's daughter jumped on the bear and began beating it with her fists until the animal let go of her father; another family member then shot the bear.

Lou Downard grew up 150 yards from where the bear attack took place. He wanted to show the area to his children and grandchildren, so the entire family went on a Green River rafting trip in Desolation Canyon.

On Thursday, the group noticed an unwelcome visitor: a 300-pound black bear. They fired a warning shot and chased it away. The group went to sleep--some in tents; others, like Lou, on cots outside. The bear returned around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

"It came along, and I was laying on my right side, and it got me there," Lou said. "[I] yelped, ‘Help! The bear's got me!'"

"At that time, I said, ‘Dad, I'm here!' And I just grabbed the bear and started cussing and swinging," said Downard's daughter Becky Harvey. "It had my dad, and I was angry."

[Steve Van Doorn]

must be global warming all these bear attacks.

[Logophile]

From the article:

If you encounter a bear:

• Stand your ground. Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use bear spray or another deterrent.

• Don't run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph—you cannot outclimb or outrun them.;

• Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it's not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.

If a bear attacks:

• Use bear spray. Then leave the area. Studies have shown bear spray to be 92 percent successful in deterring bear attacks.

• Shoot to kill. If you use a firearm, never fire a warning shot—aim for the center of the bear and keep firing until it is dead. Notify the Division of Wildlife Resources immediately.

• Always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.

I can think of other situations in which similar advice would apply.

[Leaning Right]

What a brave daughter!

From the article:

Harvey (the daughter) pulled the bear off with the help of Lou’s grandson Riley Downard; he shot the bear in the back with the gun he’d taken to bed with him.

And there was a comment from a state official:

“The family did everything right,” said Mark Hadley, with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “When a bear is exhibiting that kind of behavior, you have to protect yourself.”

---

But just for fun, let’s suppose that a federal official was involved instead. His comment might go something like this:

“The family did everything wrong,” said Mark Clueless, with the federal government. “When a bear is exhibiting that kind of behavior, you have to protect the bear. And the trees. And the sky. Charges will be filed against the grandson for possession of a gun for self-defense. Since the whole family was involved, charges will be filed against the grandfather and his daughter for violation of the RICO Act.”

[Bahbah]

I really like this family.

[Eaker]

Bear ping!

[RoadTest]

It’s fantastic, the things a loving person does when required! It’s as though the Spirit of God came on that girl.

[Frank_2001]

“Studies have shown bear spray to be 92 percent successful in deterring bear attacks.”

92%?! You’d better be spraying with one hand and shooting with the other;)

[kanawa]

Thanks for the pings!

Great story!
That family would be a good bunch to have along on a canoe trip!

[roamer_1]

Use bear spray. [...] Studies have shown bear spray to be 92 percent successful in deterring bear attacks.

LOL!! Yeah, right. and wear bells. That's how we can tell grizzly sign from black bear sign... grizzly sign has little bells in it and smells like pepper...