Alaskan Moose Hunter Survives Brown Bear Attack

In Alaska, a moose hunter survived an encounter with a charging brown bear. Gavin Haakenson and his friend Ethan Yeager were scouting for moose near the Killey River on September 2 when the incident occurred.

Haakenson described the terrifying moment he first noticed the bear. “I heard a noise to my right and looked over to see a brown bear charging at full speed,” he said. The bear was only about 10 feet away, growling loudly, and showing its teeth. “It hit me in the shoulder and knocked me down,” he recalled.

Haakenson attempted to ready his rifle, but his memory blurred after the bear attacked. “Last thing I remember was trying to shoulder my rifle and the bear jumping at me,” he said. During this time, Yeager fired his pistol at the bear. His quick action caused the bear to retreat.

The entire attack unfolded in less than 10 seconds, Haakenson explained. Following the encounter, they hurried back to their truck, calling out in an attempt to warn off any nearby bears.

Amazingly, Haakenson suffered only a shredded jacket and a bruised shoulder. His rifle was also damaged. “I’m glad I blacked out and don’t remember the worst parts,” he confessed. The uncertainty of the encounter haunts him, he admitted.

Wildlife officers later searched for the bear but did not locate it. Despite the close call, Haakenson has not ruled out returning to the area. However, he’s aware of the risks involved. “I’d like to go out and find this brown bear and shoot it, but how much do I want to make my mother worry?” he questioned. “And, how angry will this brown bear be when it sees me?”