The grizzly bear that attacked a Cody antler hunter on Friday morning in Sunlight Basin was apparently surprised by the hiker; the bear ended its attack after biting into a bottle of bear spray, the …
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The grizzly bear that attacked a Cody antler hunter on Friday morning in Sunlight Basin was apparently surprised by the hiker; the bear ended its attack after biting into a bottle of bear spray, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says.
Spencer Smith, 41, had been hiking by himself “in steep, moderately heavy timber” when he was attacked by the grizzly, the Game and Fish said in a Tuesday news release summarizing its investigation of the incident. The release said Smith “was unaware of the bear until it made contact with him.”
Smith was ultimately flown by helicopter to a Billings hospital for treatment, officials have said.
The adult, male grizzly injured Smith’s neck and other parts of his body. The Game and Fish says the adult bear apparently stopped its attack after biting into a canister of bear spray that Smith had holstered on his hip. That ruptured the canister and presumably poured the spicy aerosol mixture into the bruin’s mouth.
The Game and Fish later found a daybed “in heavy cover,” about 30 yards from where Smith was attacked in the East Painter Creek Drainage. Evidence at the scene indicated that the bear was either in or near that daybed at the time of the incident, the department said.