Tyler Johnson and his father were exploring a new hunting area and had no idea they were about to survive a bear mauling — and one of them was going to get shot in the process. Theyd just broken out of tall scrub and had stepped into a grassy clearing. Tyler heard his dad scream, Bear! first — then he heard the growl, and his blood ran cold.
The way Tyler describes what happened next in this extended interview with In Depth Alaska, everything that followed seemed like slow motion, even though it happened in the blink of an eye. Its something that a lot of bear-mauling survivors recall. Time slows down, but it all still seems like a blur.
Long story short: The bear attacked both of them, and Tyler killed the bear. But he ended up shooting himself as he fought it off.
GearJunkie reported on this incident shortly after the story broke. Now, you can listen to Tyler tell it in full in this video interview.
'It Was Pure Violence': Grizzly Attack Survivor Recounts Horrifying Encounter and the Decisions That Saved HimShayne Patrick was hiking in Teton National Park when he found himself under attack by a mother grizzly bear — luckily, he was prepared. Read more
Desert Running Gear, Wearable Airbag, Magnetic Paddleboards, and More Emerging Gear
Meindl Air Revolution Alpine 4.1 Toes Line Between Hiking, Hunting Boot
The Best Travel Shoes of 2024
Buy Socks, Win Trip to Peru: PAKA Launches ‘Golden Ticket’ Contest
Wyoming Votes to Sell Land to Grand Teton National Park; Hurdles Remain
Attention US Skiers: Win 1 of 2 Pairs of Ultra-Limited Atomic & Arc’teryx ‘Grottoflage’ Pow Skis
The Best Gifts for Camping: Gear for the Ultimate Camp Setup
Hiking and Denver Are Inseparable: 7 Trails to Explore Within an Hour of Colorado’s Capital