Two killed in Alaska bear attack

KTVB ^ | 10/07/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

KING SALMON, Alaska - Two people were killed in an apparent bear attack near Kaflia Bay in Katmai National Park on the Alaska Peninsula, Alaska State Troopers said Tuesday.

The bodies were found Monday when a pilot with Andrew Airways arrived to pick up the man and woman and take them to Kodiak, troopers said.

The pilot saw a bear, possibly on top of a body, in the camp and contacted the National Park Service in King Salmon and state troopers in Kodiak.

Park rangers encountered an aggressive bear when they arrived at the campsite and killed it. Investigators then found human remains buried by a bear near the campsite.

The victims, believed to be in their late 30s to early 40s, were from Malibu, Calif. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of relatives.

The remains and the entire campsite were packed out and transported to Kodiak on the Andrew Airways flight.

As the plane was being loaded, another aggressive bear approached and was killed by park rangers and troopers.

The bodies were flown to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsy.

[Strzelec]

Even if they were, might not have helped. Not only do you have to have the right equipment, but you have to be alert enough to use it VERY QUICKLY. Whatever deterent you have, better be in your hands immediately. Bears are very tough creatures and are amazingly fast - you only get one chance. And it's not unusual to unwittingly sneak up on one - or one to sneak up on you.

Personally, while I would pack a 3" S&W 625 in 45 Colt loaded with 300g Corbons, I would have a canister of bear spray attached to my pack strap in front of me, and would probable use is first. Accuracy is not as important with the spray.

A possible scenario. Bear best sense is his nose. They can pick up odors miles away, and they are attracted to smells associated not only with food but also those associated with menstruation or sexual intercourse. Although we may never know the true story, I wouldn't be surprised if the former was true or the bear caught them "in flagrante delicto".

What a heck of a way to go (shudder).

[wtc911]

Malibu is like NYC in that most who live there came from somewhere else. Look at where these two decided to spend their $$$ camping. We have absolutely no way of determining how prepared or capable they were or were not based on this article. I'd rather not presume that they were killed because they were idiots...it seems too small.

[myrabach]

If a bear does it in the woods and nobody hears, do you still have to flush?

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

"I know I would have been packing if camping in Kodiak Country..."

Exactly right- when tent-camping up here, I sleep with a 12-gauge Remington 870 loaded with alternating slugs and 00 buckshot. (I mean literally sleep with it- it's not leaning against a tree outside, or in a gun rack in a vehicle. It's right next to me. So far, I haven't shot my foot off during the night- but I had a lot of experience sleeping with loaded weapons in the Army. I am not suggesting that everyone do this, but I am saying that if a bear decides to drag you off and eat you, he is not likely to allow you to go and get your weapon first...)

[Travis McGee]

They were probably "defending themselves" with incense, crystals, and a little "dream catcher" web.

"Ommmm.... Ommmmm...."

[Romulus]

This would never have happened if someone were drilling for oil there.

Why not?

[Shooter 2.5]

Then don't click on the link on number 85. That's the pictures I had.

Poor guy, I hope he didn't suffer too long.

[Kenny Bunk]

I thought it was mandatory to be armed in Alaskan bear country. Awful lot of Alaskans walked around with that .44 while they're doing their chores when I was there..

[SW6906]

It's a joke, son. Just a joke.

[Ditter]

Cats, horses, etc, you are right, but you are wrong about dogs. Dogs do love their humans.

[archy]

Of course they were'nt armed!

Well, not after the bear was done tearing their arms off they weren't.

Darwin *happy camper* award.

-archy-/-

[archy]

Of course they were'nt armed!

Well, not after the bear was done tearing their arms off they weren't.

Darwin *happy camper* award.

-archy-/-

[Romulus]

All bears, regardless of maturity or type, are equally dangerous.

This advice can get you killed. Black bears can frequently be bluffed, charged, or otherwise driven off. In fact the same bear experts that tell you to play dead when Mr. Grizzly come a-callin' will tell you to fight like hell if Mr. Blackie gets aggressive. This would never work with a brown bear.

[SBprone]

Minimum weapon for this situation would be a .44 Magnum, this combined with some training to hit critical points should the bear become threatening.

I've heard that the 4" .44 mag is popular with those who travel in Kodiak country but it think its purpose is for blowing your own brains out if the Kodiak gets you before you get to your rifle.

[Spruce]

ROFLMAO

[per loin]

Minimum weapon for this situation would be a .44 Magnum

Kinda risky. I lived in Kodiak back in the early sixties. The big game guides carried double barreled 375 H&H Magnum "kill guns" with the barrels cut short for speed in the brush. Real shoulder whackers, but necessary to take down bears who got upset over being shot with some stateside hunter's favorite "06. An enraged Kodiak comes through an alder stand like it was just tall grass.

[toddst]

I thought it was mandatory to be armed in Alaskan bear country. Awful lot of Alaskans walked around with that .44 while they're doing their chores when I was there..

I have no idea about the mandatory part. However, IMO those who want to survive a confrontation are armed with a .44 mimimum.

I would not want to have to use only the .44 against an Alaskan Brown who's focused on my destruction.

As pictures on this thread show, the Grizzly is a BIG bear and very hard to stop. Best advice is stay away from them, especially on their turf.

[CollegeRepublican]

Protection

Firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are more likely to be injured by a gun than a bear. It is illegal to carry firearms in some of Alaska's national parks, so check before you go.

http://www.state.ak.us./local/akpages/FISH.GAME/wildlife/geninfo/game/bearfax.htm

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

Well, not after the bear was done tearing their arms off they weren't.

LOL!

[LibWhacker]

Here are some stuffed specimens:

IIRC, the guy is 5'9" tall.