Hiker Shoots Grizzly Bear in Denali

Park officials investigate self-defense claims against a threatening grizzly bear

Memorial Day weekend got off to a scary start on Friday for a pair of hikers in Denali. A pair of backpackers encountered bear sign on a trail near Tattler Creek, and when the bear emerged from the brush and charged one of them, the other fired nine rounds towards the bear.

The bear retreated and the hikers turned back to report the incident to park officials. When a park search crew returned, they found the dead bear about 100 yards from the shooting zone.

The shooting raises a few interesting legal questions. The controversial law allowing guns in national parks went into effect in February; however, it still remains illegal to discharge a firearm in the bounds of the park. After retrieving the dead bear by helicopter and questioning the hikers, park officials are still deciding whether the shooting was justified.The shooter, a woman, hasn't been identified.

Park spokesperson Kris Fister said that this was the first bear shot within the original bounds of the park "in decades," and human-bear interactions with casualties are quite rare in Denali.

Stay tuned to the Daily Dirt for updates.

—Ted Alvarez

via Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

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READERS COMMENTS

This was actually less than a month after firearms were allowed in the Park. although technically Febraury - Denali was only open to tourist less than a month when this happened. This case will hopefully cause Obama and other Feds to rethink this new gun law. I just can't believe the bears all the sudden got dangerous at the exact same time guns were allowed in the park.
Posted: Jul 02, 2010 Johnny Lawless

why do animal haters and nature disrespecting folk go hiking in the woods?
Posted: Jun 14, 2010 jo

How can anyone venture an opinion on this shooting with the amount of information that's public so far? Bears and people both have complex motivations and difficult-to-predict reactions. A lot more facts need to come out before it's worth weighing in on.
Posted: Jun 07, 2010 Scott

I carry I pistol in the park & wilderness areas and I hope if she's found to have been trigger happy I hope they fine the shit out of her and she should be banned from parks and wilderness areas. People like Rob are why animals are goin extinct.
Posted: Jun 05, 2010 Nick

whos to say if they used pepper spray they would be alive today? they used a gun and they are alive. thank god.
Posted: Jun 04, 2010 Ed

Bear spray should have been used first regardless of any stand on firearms.
Posted: Jun 04, 2010 D Harry

Firearms were allowed in National Parks so people could protect themselves. As with most places the primary need for protection involves two-legged predators. Criminals are attracted to areas where they know the citizens will not be armed. Shooting critters will not be taken lightly.
Posted: Jun 03, 2010 Jim McBride

To Mike: Guns are not dangerous, uneducated people with guns are dangerous. Perhaps bear spray would have been a better decision. 2nd amendment right� if you don't like it....move.
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Rob

Another idiot where they shouldn't be. It's simple...if you need to carry a gun then you shouldn't be there. You cannot remove all hazards from a backcountry experience. For the sake of those that respect true wilderness and enjoy its inherent risks, PLEASE STAY AWAY!
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Dabrador

No, Bill... I expect people to defend themselves with pepper spray which leaves both the bear and the hiker alive. Why carry a gun when it's both dangerous and unnecessary?
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Mike

To all those who claim this was a bluff charge. Is one expected to be knocked down and half torn apart before they determine that their life might be in danger? Sounds like a bad plan to me.
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Bill

Clearly, she had the pistol pointed the wrong direction. What a waste.
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Cactus Ed

It is easy for us to sit here and say "well if I..." but in reality we werent on that trail, couldn't tell if it was a "bluff" charge, or judge her for making a potential kill or be killed decision. We are visitors in their "home" but bears have been known to be grumpy and ill-temepered leaving us no other option but to protect ourselves. I believe we should arm ourselves with knowledge first, weaponry last, with the understaning that if the education fails to work the gun will bring me home.(A trait I used to train my soldiers)
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 ChnkyMnky

If I'm charged I will shoot. The old Law Enforcement saying is that it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Posted: Jun 02, 2010 Lochbain

Although I dont fully agree with Anonymous, I do understand their point. Humans are little more than a plaque of the Earth. We will continue to take and destroy until there is nothing left. We continue to encroach on habitats, forcing wildlife to adapt or die off. Now let's go into the last areas they have. Areas we've been so kind to designate for them and kill them if they get in the way of our recreation. It makes perfect sense. The bear totally had it coming and deserved to be killed in its home. Go humans! We rock! Oh and Ron, why dont we let some stranger go into your home and see if you dont attack them.
Posted: Jun 01, 2010 Jon

Fatal bear encounters are rare, several months after guns are allowed in National Parks (and not to defend against bears) someone shoots one. If you don't carry guns you will be more careful and make noise approaching brush where you saw bear sign. The responsibility to avoid death of this bear lies with the woman alone.
Posted: Jun 01, 2010 Dave

Why bother to make it legal to have guns if in fact you can not use it. I dont think a bear would run just by showing it to him. They should have never allowed firearms in the first place. Why not use pepper spray?
Posted: Jun 01, 2010 Anonymous