[kyelkhunter3006]

You guys hear about the attack at the Gorge? Park's been shut down since Sunday. Guy was hiking the trail and saw a bear. Took a couple of pics with his phone, then the bear went back into the brush. Came back out a few minutes later and approached the hiker, who grabbed a big rotten branch to keep it away. Broke the branch on the bear's head a couple of times, tried to get behind a tree, and the bear grabbed him on the thigh and threw him into the woods. Then he grabbed the leg again and was chomping the hiker, who was going to use his knife to stab it in the eyes when another group heard him yelling. They beat the bear off of him with their packs and the bear followed them all the way back down the trail. Guy needed 60 stitches to close the wounds. KDFW policy is to terminate problem bears, sdo they're trying to trap it right now. Estimated weight is 150lbs. First bear attack in KY.

 

[metalman]

If your plan A is to hit a bear with a stick you should really have a plan B for when the bear lays a whuppin on you. Poking it with a :knife: isn't much of a plan...W

 

[Savage]

if that bear had ahold of me id say id be stabbing it in the eyes too! Do my best to ignore the pain and put up best fight i could. thats a crazy story though!

 

[kitsinni]

I heard on the radio that was the first bear attack in KY history? That is pretty crazy. You know at the end of the day I think it is worth it though. 60 stitches but you can say you fought a bear with just a stick! That is a tough story to beat lol.

 

[katfish ken]

I figure with the attack on the guy there will be a more lucrative bear season in Ky's near future. There was a bear season in some of the eastern counties last year. I figure the range for the season will broaden to more counties.

 

[kyelkhunter3006]

If your plan A is to hit a bear with a stick you should really have a plan B for when the bear lays a whuppin on you. Poking it with a :knife: isn't much of a plan...W

I used to hike the Smokies a bit when I was in college. Always had a folder, a 5"-7" fixed blade, and some pepper spray on me. I always made noise when I was walking too, as they say that helps to keep bears aware, but I had a couple of encounters on trails, so I can't vouch for how effective that is, LOL. Had a couple visit at campsites too. Nothing gets your attention at 10pm like when you see this BIG shadow on your tent wall from something walking between your tent and the fire as it burns down.

 

[kyelkhunter3006]

I figure with the attack on the guy there will be a more lucrative bear season in Ky's near future. There was a bear season in some of the eastern counties last year. I figure the range for the season will broaden to more counties.

I know some guys in Lewis County that said they have pics on their game cams of bears, but I haven't seen them yet. I know there are some mountain lions down there, I did see one of those pictures.

People wonder why I go coyote hunting with my 30-06 and deer/game loads... I'd rather have to shoot a surprise bear with that than a .223 ballistic tip if I'm forced to defend myself!