Published on November 5th, 2009

Hunter survives bear attack at Mud Bay

By JOY LANDALUCE

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An ordinary five-minute skiff ride from Cordova to Mud Bay on a hunting trip was how a weekend adventure started out for local Cordovan Dan Burch two weeks ago. Once he landed at Mud Bay, however, things went from ordinary to scary in a big, furry hurry.

"I was heading out for the weekend for a deer hunt with Curtis Jeppsen and was doing just that when a big startled brown bear head rose in front of me about 50 feet away. In the time it took to blink, the bear had my rifle - a new Ruger 1077 30-.06 - the bear's mouth was sliding down the barrel of my rifle, and it was yanked out of my hands and twirled into the air," Burch recounted.

"My hand had been on the safety, but I had no time to shoot. I got in the fetal position and he started batting at me. If the bear wanted to kill me I would be dead - he wanted to show me who was boss. I still have the shakes, and it feels like I will never get that huge mouth and those teeth out of my mind," Burch said. "I want everyone to know that this bear is dangerous and to use caution."

Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist David Crowley has some suggestions for safety in the woods.

"The problem for deer hunters in bear country is that you have broken all the bear safety rules. You sneak around quietly, usually alone, sometimes with a packful of nice, fresh meat on your back. We suggest to deer hunters to try to avoid heavy brush along active fish streams and always stay alert for bears. Packing deer is better than dragging because you don't leave a scent trail for bears to follow," Crowley said. "Kill and pack one deer at a time so that you don't have to return to a carcass hours later. If a bear does get the drop on you and you can't get a shot off, do what Dan did and play dead. Usually they just want to make sure you're not a threat. For me, buying a $25 brown bear tag is pretty good insurance that I won't see one."

Joy Landaluce can be reached at editor@thecordovatimes.com, or by phone at 907-424-7181

 

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