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.

[Shooter 2.5]

I didn't know it would really work. I can't imagine someone taking the time on a clear sunny morning.

I'm spending a little time with a friend checking out Dallas and Fort Worth and driving them crazy with my directions. they can't understand how I know which way is North no matter where I am.

I love the idea of at least one female in camp. It stops the scene right out of "Blazing Saddles".

[Shooter 2.5]

Oh, my God. We must have been thinking of the same thing. I didn't read your post because I was still writing mine.

That is a classic scene. No wonder woman can't figure us out.

[AnAmericanMother]

Nothing wrong with .45/70 Government. I don't own one, but I've loaded some light loads for a friend with an old one when he got leery about feeding it the new stuff.

Only possible objection might be the cycle time on that long shell when you're in a hurry . . . one time that the, ah, full-figured .348 Win has an advantage . . . :-D

[ExSoldier]

"A knife against a bear is at least potentially winnable"

I dunno, I remember seeing that movie: "Legends of the Fall" and it ended on a rather fatal "bear v. knife" type note for the knife holder.

[ExSoldier]

"You sound suspiciously like a Democrat."

Gee thanks. If I were a Democrat I'd have insisted on borrowing the money and funding everybody else, then charging only the white males to use the kitchen and bathroom facilities each time. Can anybody else think of a way that the Dems would finance such an adventure to the wilderness?

[txhurl]

Didn't you see the smiley face? :)

[RightWhale]

If the knife seems like it won't do the job, perhaps grabbing the bear in a chokehold until it dies would be more certain. Or a combination of the techniques.

[harpseal]

Marlin Guide .45-70 accurate and precise. If that were not enough I have an old Mauser action .41 Rigby that I also know will do the job. The .41 Rigby has been known to give a sore shoulder but it is a whole let less painful than being swatted like a salmon by a grissly bear.

[harpseal]

The .348 win may have an advantage but the Marlin lever action has a very quick cycle time.

[harpseal]

When I was in teh boy scouts I learned the way certain American Indians got the claws for a bear claw necklage was as follows. A pit was dug on a bear run. Young indian male would enter pit. Pit was camoflaged. bear would afll into hole and Indian would slay with a knife or be slain by bear. Seems like a very hard way to get those claws to me but a knife can do the job.

I note the crew of an Italian airship downed in the artic once killed a polar bear with a .38 round. Not something I would recommend trying but it was life and death for that aircrew. Personally I will be satisfied with a .454 Raging Bull for sidearm and my Marlin Guide .45-70. I am not expecting to fire at a bear at over 100 yards anyway.

[Shooter 2.5]

I'm trying to get you a picture of my Remington in 45-70. It's a classic rolling block with a tang sight on a full musket stock. I think it may have been a re-chambered .43 Spanish at one time.

I was trying at one time to keep a decent photo record of the toys. I don't know what happened other than I missed a lot and the ones I did take pictures of came out too dark.

[Shooter 2.5]

Took me long enough. Here's the Remington. I bought it after the Quigley movie came out. I had no idea about pressures and used blackpowder with a drop tube. Later, some forgotten smokeless with packing to keep the powder next to the primer. I can't remember the final recipe. It's been a while. I probably have it written down somewhere. What will work in a rolling block may not in a lever or a trapdoor. Yeah, I know. The nickled parts look gaudy.

[jedi150]

Ahhhhh yes. I would dream of a full out guided hunt where the guides set up camp each night with a roaring campfire and a cook and a gourmet chuck wagon. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting around a campfire with good friends, old whiskey and fine cigars. Such are the defining and memorable moments of manhood. Such times make life worth the trouble!

And killing things too!

[Travis McGee]

I'm sure you know which owners won't be back for a month!

BTW, have you ever caught a bum sleeping in one?

[Travis McGee]

According to current feminist self-defense theory, all you need to do is scream "Kiaaahhh!" and then kick the bear in the gonads, and scratch its eyes out with your car keys.

[Shooter 2.5]

It helps to say, "Oh, look, an angel" while pointing skyward.

[RightWhale]

The main problem is that once you have knocked the grizzly sensless with your wheel kick and ripped out its throat with your kung-fu eagle talon, you will have to deal with dept. of fish & game officials. What, no bear tag?

[ExSoldier]

"And killing things too!"

Well, yes. Making a clean kill...well stalked is always important. But you know, some of the finest hunts I've had have been times of solitude where I never even fired a shot. Just being there, feeling the cold snap in the air, knowing I was on my own and beholdin' to no one. Able to determine my own destiny...that was enough. I'm not sure if you understand what I'm tryin' to say, here. Do you?

[wardaddy]

No, but I plan to offer free parking and electricity and water for some caravan type to live back there at night.


...to keep an eye out..

[jedi150]

Been on top of many mountains in SE Alaska in the 15 years that I lived there. Killed more than a few Deer, Mountain Goat and Bear in that time. Best I had was just sitting in the Alpine looking at the world surrounding me at that time and, unlike this "IDIOT" that got ate, I alway's was ready for some stinking Bear to sneak up on me with a Rifle or 44 mag. with 300 gr. solids just in case!