Pinedale on the Web!
Pinedale, Wyoming
Home | Calendar of Events | Photo Gallery | Local Businesses |

A hunter was injured by a bear yesterday morning (Wednesday, October 13), while hunting northwest of Dubois. The Pennsylvania man suffered injuries to his head and arm and is recovering at the hospital in Lander. He is expected to recover fully from his injuries. The hunter reportedly shot at the bear during the encounter, but is unsure if he hit it.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials went to the site of the attack yesterday, near the Long Creek Road, but found no signs of the bear, nor any evidence that the bear had been shot.

"We have no indication that this incident was anything other than a surprise encounter between the hunter and the bear," said WGFD Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunter. "Though incidents like these are uncommon, we don’t believe this to be abnormal bear behavior."

Bear conflicts in northwest Wyoming have been on the increase this year due to a number of factors, including increasing numbers and distribution of grizzly bears and a shortage of some natural foods.

The WGFD encourages all outdoor enthusiasts in bear country to be knowledgeable of bear behavior, how to react in an encounter, and to carry a deterrent.

For more information on safety in bear country, visit the WGFD website at http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/grizzlymanagement/index.asp.