Man Survives Brown Bear Attack in Alaska

Tyler Johnson (32) was injured in a bear attack on Saturday, August 18, 2024. Johnson and his father Chris were on a hunting trip on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska at the time.

The two were hiking off-trail when they came upon the brown bear. The animal appeared startled and charged the younger Johnson, knocking him to the ground and biting into his leg. Johnson and his father repeatedly shot the bear, killing it. 

Tyler Johnson and his father Chris on a hunting trip. Photo: Tyler Johnson via CNN.

In the process, Johnson shot himself through his leg and required medical attention both from the gunshot and the bear bite. His father applied a tourniquet in the field and contacted emergency services via SOS. Johnson was airlifted to a hospital in Anchorage, where he is expected to make a full recovery.  

Brown Bear vs. Grizzly vs. Black Bear

Brown bears and grizzly bears are the same species (Ursus arctos)  with different geographic ranges. Brown bears live near the coast and primarily subsist on seafood. They are typically larger than grizzlies. Grizzly bears live inland and subsist on berries, roots, grubs, and occasionally larger animals. 

Black bears are a different species (Ursus americanus). They have the widest range of North American bear species and tend to be smaller. The name black bear is a bit of a misnomer as they come in a range of colors from light brown to true black. They subsist on berries, plants, insects, and occasional larger animals. 

A guide breaking down how to identify a brown/grizzly bear and a black bear. Illustration courtesy of Yellowstone National Park.

Bear Safety

The best thing you can do to prevent bear attacks is to prevent bear encounters in the first place. In a 2021 interview with Alison Young on the Walking Distance podcast, leading bear expert Tom Smith suggests that making noise is one of the best things hikers can do to avoid negative bear encounters. He recommends bursts of sounds — clapping and calling “hey bear” — instead of playing music or bells to alert bears to your presence. 

He also recommends hiking in groups and appropriately storing food and other smelly items to manage odors. 

Tom Smith also advises the use of bear spray as a deterrent. Bear spray works by releasing a cloud of capsaicin, a chemical derived from chili peppers to irritate the bear enough that it runs away.  Tyler and Chris Johnson used a gun in their encounter, but they were in a unique situation as they were already on a hunting trip.

Smith says bear spray is preferred because even hunters can be reluctant to use lethal force. Additionally, a gun requires more accuracy than pepper spray. Editor Kelly Floro goes into some of the pros and cons of carrying a gun while thru-hiking and mentions that bear spray is more effective as a wildlife deterrent than guns in the majority of cases. 

Ultimately, bear safety in the backcountry is your responsibility, as is your choice of deterrent.

Featured image via LTapsaH on Pixabay.