Alaska: Shot bear rolls over hobby hunter

A hobby hunter in Alaska remains hospitalised with serious injuries still classified as «life-threatening» after being rolled over and severely injured by a wounded bear.

According to a statement from the Alaska State Troopers, the incident occurred last weekend when 28-year-old William McCormick and 19-year-old Zachary Tennyson were hunting in the Carter Lake area in the Chugach National Forest .

Bear slid down the hill

The 28-year-old soldier William McCormick and his 19-year-old hunting partner had shot at a bear standing on a rock above them. The wounded animal then slid down the hill — directly toward the two men. The 28-year-old was struck by debris and hit by the sliding bear. He was critically injured and airlifted to a clinic in Anchorage.

1,500 brown bears shot every year

Tragically, there are currently only an estimated 30,000 brown bears and around 100,000 smaller black bears left in Alaska. Around 1,500 brown bears are shot every year.

As mentioned on the Alaska Fish and Game website , bear hides are unfortunately “prized” by hobby hunters. Bear meat is generally considered rather unpalatable. Even hobby hunters rarely eat it. More on crime and recreational hunting.