This story, “Bear Attack,” initially ran within the January 1980 situation. Until this assault in September 1979, grizzlies have been considered extinct in Colorado. Two have been killed in 1951, earlier than the bears have been declared an endangered species. Both have been about 3 years previous. One of them was killed only a dozen miles or so from the place the place Wiseman was attacked.
THE BEAR got here at me with no warning. Ears flattened, neck hairs stiffly erect, it growled fiercely because it charged, full bore, proper at me. I noticed its flashing tooth because it got here, and I knew immediately it was a grizzly, though I’d by no means seen one within the wild earlier than. There was no mistaking the hump on its again, the broad face and the guard hairs. I’ve seen a few hundred black bears within the woods, sufficient to know that this one was solely completely different from the remaining.
The grizzly’s assault began about 30 yards away, and I had no time to boost my bow and arrow. For a quick second I believed the bear would go round me. Maybe its cost was a bluff. I’d had shut confrontations with black bears earlier than, and even had them strategy me, however all of them ultimately backed off, giving me nothing greater than a very good scare.
This bear stored coming, growling and snapping its tooth with every terrifying sure. When I spotted it meant enterprise, I shouted on the high of my lungs, nevertheless it was no use. In two extra leaps, the bear could be throughout me.
I’m 46, a full-time clothing store, and I make my residing taking folks looking and fishing. I used to be raised in Colorado and dwell in Crestone, close to Alamosa. Fourteen years in the past, I made a decision to enter outfitting and I’ve been at it ever since. The nation I hunt is without doubt one of the most distant areas within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
I had 4 elk hunters out that day, the final day of the 1979 bow season. The climate was balmy, with shiny blue skies, and the nice and cozy temperature made for comfy looking, though it bought chilly within the night.
My hunters have been W. C. Niederee and his son, Mike, from Great Bend, Kansas, and Rick Nelson and Jim Latin, each from McPherson, Kansas. On that final day, Ace Calloway guided Rick and Jim, Chuck Gibbs guided Dr. Niederee, and I took Mike. Al Brandenburg, my prepare dinner, remained in camp.
Dr. Niederee determined to hunt on a slope reverse camp that day. The remainder of us rode out of camp collectively and break up up about three miles down the path. Ace, Rick and Jim rode south to hunt the East Fork of the Navajo River; Mike and I headed west for the Main Fork.
Mike was the one hunter within the celebration who hadn’t seen elk that week. Everyone had seen loads of animals, and Rick stated he’d checked out about 85. I figured the Main Fork could be a very good place to point out Mike some elk as a result of I knew of some pockets that have been at all times good. The space was simply off the Continental Divide; it was rugged nation that few folks penetrated. It was about 11 miles by path from camp to the place I wished to hunt, about 5 miles overland.
About 2 p.m., we tied our horses within the timber and commenced to hunt on foot. We break up up and deliberate to satisfy on the different finish of the meadows, the place I’d intercept Mike. Although I carried my bow, I wasn’t actually looking intently. I figured on in search of elk signal and later assembly Mike.
I labored my approach alongside and stored my eyes on some open meadows within the timber. I believed I’d see Mike as he traveled by means of them. He by no means appeared, so I wandered up towards the horses to see if he’d returned to satisfy me there. Freckles, my Apaloosa mare, and Buckshot, Mike’s horse, stood quietly within the bushes. Mike wasn’t round.
I headed again right down to search for extra signal. We have been in a small finger off the principle ridge, and I knew there was a very good probability that Mike and I’d meet. About 5 o’clock, whereas strolling throughout a small flat, I heard an ominous growl a brief distance away.
For a second, whereas the grizzly charged straight at me, I believed it is perhaps attempting to get round me. But I rapidly discounted that risk because the bear narrowed the space to just some yards, nonetheless coming full steam. At shut vary, I may simply see the hump on its again and the yellow guard hairs. The bear growled constantly, and its open mouth uncovered a set of giant tooth. My shouts, which could have startled or turned one other bear, had no impact. This grizzly was enraged, and I used to be in dangerous hassle.
The cost lasted just a few seconds. I used to be carrying my compound bow at my facet, however there was no time to nock an arrow. My knife was in my day pack, nicely out of attain for the dear split-second I had.
The bear was virtually on high of me once I raised my bow, attempting to fend off the assault. I shoved it within the grizzly’s face, nevertheless it bowled me over. The bow clattered to the bottom, and arrows scattered all over the place.
As quickly as I hit the bottom I curled up right into a ball. I introduced my knees up underneath my stomach to guard my vitals, caught my face into my chest so far as I may, and clasped each palms behind my head to cowl my neck. My day pack was nonetheless on my again, and would provide some safety there. I had learn many articles that stated enjoying useless was the factor to do throughout a bear assault. I knew that no man is a bodily match with an enraged bear.
The grizzly instantly began mauling my proper leg with its tooth. I had little sensation of ache, however I vividly bear in mind the sounds of flesh tearing because the bear ripped into me. As I lay there helplessly, my solely hope was that the grizzly would tire of me and depart.
It stored biting and chewing at my leg, and I compelled myself to lie as quietly as I may. I nonetheless felt that if I didn’t current myself as a menace to the bear, it could stop and lumber off into the woods. Strange because it might sound, I by no means panicked, even because the grizzly continued to work over that proper leg.
I felt the bear dragging me barely, however more often than not it could chunk into my leg, shake its head and chunk into the leg once more. It didn’t use its big claws, simply its tooth.
Then the bear dropped my leg and bit into my proper shoulder. It clamped down onerous, and penetrated my flesh deeply with its highly effective jaws. I didn’t understand it then, however the bear had bitten utterly by means of my shoulder, from one facet to the opposite. Later, on the hospital, medical doctors discovered puncture wounds all over. Clinical exams additionally confirmed it bit my shoulder twice, however there was no tearing, simply deeply penetrating bites.
When the bear let go of my shoulder and began on my leg once more, I bear in mind telling myself, This may very well be the top.
At that time I spotted that this was greater than a passing assault. Playing useless was getting me nowhere, so I desperately began excited about preventing again. If the mauling stored up, the grizzly would certainly kill me.
In the blur of the ordeal, I noticed an arrow mendacity shut by. I reached for it, and due to good luck or windfall, it was pointing towards the bear.
I’m satisfied that my looking background was an element that weighed closely in my survival. I at all times educated myself to instinctively shoot at one a part of an animal somewhat than the entire thing. I centered all my consideration on the grizzly’s frontal portion and introduced the arrow up with as highly effective a thrust as I may muster, all of the whereas concentrating intently on a small spot that I judged to be very important. I’m right-handed, however the arrow was in my left. I plunged it deeply into the bear. Years in the past, I used to be a meatcutter. I do know one thing about animal anatomy, however mendacity on the bottom with a bear tearing into me, I wasn’t certain I may drive it away earlier than it killed me. Survival was all I may consider then, and I knew I need to strive.
The arrow I used, a brand new Bear razorhead fitted on a magnum aluminum shaft, is without doubt one of the strongest made. Somehow, the arrow snapped in half after I drove it into the bear. I bear in mind studying about individuals who have by some unimaginable pressure lifted wrecked vehicles off their family members; the human mind in such circumstances goes momentarily haywire and the adrenalin flows. Maybe that’s what occurred to me. All my senses have been fine-tuned to driving off that grizzly. There was no different alternative.
After the shaft broke, I reached for the arrow and yanked it again out of the grizzly. A stream of blood flowed from the wound, and I rammed the damaged arrow again in once more as onerous as I may. I bear in mind pondering that the blood regarded prefer it was coming from the jugular. I used to be satisfied I had struck a fairly good blow. At that time I believed, Maybe I’ve bought an opportunity.
The grizzly gave no indication of being harm and stored biting and tearing at my leg. It stored on growling, simply because it had accomplished all through your complete assault. Right after I stabbed it, it began on my left leg for the primary time.
Suddenly, the bear stopped working me over and walked excessive of me. An excellent gush of blood from the bear’s arrow wounds splashed over me because the animal stepped throughout. The grizzly loped off and stopped about 25 yards away. I noticed it slowly decrease itself to the bottom. It lay nonetheless, and I knew it was useless.
I used to be off in a facet finger of the drainage, and my solely hope was to make it to the principle path the place I is perhaps discovered. I didn’t understand it on the time, however Mike was solely a few hundred yards away from me all through your complete ordeal.
I bought up slowly, not sure whether or not my mangled proper leg may maintain my weight. I examined it rigorously and was relieved to seek out that I may stroll. The principal path wasn’t far, and I began for it standing up. The bleeding was beginning to take its toll, although, and I felt myself going into shock.
I used to be about 90 yards from the scene of the assault once I heard Mike shout. I used to be stunned and relieved to listen to him. I shouted again, and he appeared within the timber moments later.
Mike is 25 and a full-time farmer. He is hard and wiry, however when he walked out of the woods towards me, he regarded like he’d seen a ghost. My bodily look didn’t assist. I used to be coated with blood from the highest of my head to the soles of my ft. Every sq. inch of my camouflage clothes was blood-soaked, and my face and palms have been crimson.
Afterward, I discovered that Mike had heard the bear growl because it charged me. He additionally heard my shouts. By the time he bought to the scene, the assault was over, and all he may see was an incredible spot of blood-soaked floor, my bow and scattered arrows. He was satisfied the bear had killed me and dragged me off. He moved slowly with a nocked arrow, figuring he’d be dealing with the bear too. Then he noticed the bear mendacity useless and realized I is perhaps alive in spite of everything.
We used the restricted provides from a small first support equipment to bandage my leg in addition to we may, with strips of Mike’s shirt for wrappings. I made myself as comfy as doable, and Mike went for assist. The solar was setting, and I knew I used to be in for an extended, onerous night time.
By the time Mike returned with the horses, I had grown a lot weaker. He introduced them over to the place I lay, and so they bought jittery after they caught a whiff of the bear and the blood. Mike tied Buckshot by the reins, and when he led Freckles towards me, Buckshot reared again and shucked the bridle. The spooked horse took off.
Mike tried to place Freckles in a approach that might be best for me to get aboard. But once I stood up, I misplaced consciousness. Mike eased me to the bottom, and it was some time earlier than I got here to.
I attempted a second time to get on the horse, with Mike pushing and lifting me. Freckles is a giant horse, 17 palms excessive. That labored in opposition to me now. I bought my foot into the stirrup, swung my mangled proper leg over and grabbed the saddle horn. I talked to Freckles, who was nonetheless jittery, and he or she settled proper down.
We began off, and Freckles bought shaky once more due to the unusual smells. Mike was main Freckles utilizing solely a lead rope and halter, so I informed him to place the bridle again on. When he did, we had higher management, and he or she calmed down some.
As we traveled, Mike led my horse, and he consistently regarded again and stated, “Ed, talk to me, talk to me.” I used to be slumped over within the saddle, bent over to the entrance. That approach I wouldn’t go out. If I attempted to take a seat straight up, I’d really feel myself getting dizzy and going underneath once more. Mike tied my raincoat over the saddle horn to maintain it from bouncing into my intestine, nevertheless it was nonetheless painful to remain within the saddle. Riding wasn’t serving to my leg which was nonetheless bleeding freely.
Mike wasn’t certain of the nation, and each occasionally, when my head cleared sufficient that I may go searching, I’d give him instructions to get us on the path. I used to be having hassle sustaining full consciousness.
Finally we bought to a big meadow, and I made a decision I may go no additional. I knew it could be foolhardy to proceed as a result of camp was nonetheless some 10 miles away and I’d by no means make it. The meadow would function a very good place for a helicopter to land. It was about 7 within the night, and I knew I needed to relaxation and get my head right down to the place I may suppose straight. I used to be the one one who knew the place we have been, and I needed to get Mike prepared for what was in retailer for him. I needed to describe intimately the overland path to base camp. If he took the path, the way in which he had come, it could be an additional six miles or extra, a few of it with no seen path. So he’d should go throughout the mountains. It was the darkish of the moon, and he had his work lower out for him.
Mike constructed a fireplace whereas I lay again and rested. He dragged wooden to the place I may attain it, however in his haste to get going for assist, he didn’t collect as a lot as I’d want. He piled all the additional garments on high of me. I informed him to comply with a close-by stream mattress as much as a pond after which cross the Continental Divide. The trip downhill could be fairly steep going. But he’d come out about half a mile above camp.
I knew it was asking numerous him to seek out camp through the blackness of the night time, however I used to be assured that with the landmarks I’d described to information him, together with the reliable Freckles, he’d get there. All of my mountain horses are nicely oriented to the nation, and so they can discover their approach round in addition to anybody.
After Mike left, I used to be as conservative as I may very well be with the firewood provide. As time wore on, although, I knew I used to be going to expire. The closest wooden was far away, so I attempted to burn a considerably inexperienced log that Mike had inadvertently dragged over.
It began to get colder, and I knew I’d should do one thing for heat. I noticed the define of a log up the hill behind me, and it appeared there was some firewood round it. I rested once more, did some isometric workouts to stimulate physique warmth a bit of, and coated my head with a jacket to retain as a lot warmth as I may.
There was no approach I’d be capable to rise up the hill and return to the unique campfire with wooden, so I began dragging myself alongside the bottom, hoping to begin one other hearth on the log. I used each arms and my left leg, and each transfer was a painful effort. I stored my head as little as doable to keep away from passing out.
It was solely 20 ft or so to the log. It appeared 10 instances that far, however I stored myself from panicking. I targeting little issues—like what I ought to do within the subsequent hour, or two hours. I believed again concerning the sequence of occasions to this point—I had survived a bear assault, my very important organs have been intact, Mike was shut by to help me, I used to be at a degree the place I may very well be rescued, and now Mike was heading for assist. I wouldn’t entertain the thought that it wouldn’t work. It would work. Help may very well be on its approach by midnight, simply an hour or so away. Dr. Niederee could be there with medical provides, and I’d have my sleeping bag to heat up in.
But assist didn’t come by midnight. The night started to go extra slowly, and I questioned if the lads is perhaps having hassle discovering me. I used to be in an space the place we seldom hunted, and nobody in camp was accustomed to that a part of the nation.
A brand new downside got here up. The night breeze grew stronger, and I started shivering. I needed to discover safety from the wind, and regarded about for some sort of shelter. I noticed a small pine tree not far off. Its thick boughs grew to the bottom. It was my solely hope for a windbreak, so I inched over to it, coated myself with the clothes I had accessible and tried to get comfy. I didn’t wish to sleep, as a result of if I slowed my physique processes, I’d solely hasten hypothermia. The mixture of shock and lack of blood made it harmful to danger sleep. I had no alternative however to remain alert.
While I lay there, I assessed my plight. I’m a working towards emergency medical technician, and I do know one thing about very important life indicators. If I may face up to the lack of blood and shock, hypothermia could be the one factor that would write the ultimate chapter. Curiously sufficient, I used to be assured that I’d survive.
Suddenly, I noticed two flashlights above me, coming off the ridge. I yelled and heard Mike shout again. He was alone, carrying a flashlight in every hand. It was about 3 within the morning. I’d been alone eight hours.
When he reached me, Mike instantly began a fireplace, nevertheless it was tough as a result of the wooden was moist. Finally he bought a very good blaze going. I used to be anticipating its heat. He informed me that his dad, Dr. Niederee, and Ace have been on high of a excessive ridge. We noticed their flashlights, and so they situated us after they noticed the fireplace. Mike hollered that he’d discovered me.
The place of their flashlights informed me that they have been too far down the canyon. They wanted to return to a patch of thick timber after which work their approach down by means of it. Mike tried to warn them a few steep hillside close to them, however they apparently didn’t perceive what he was saying.
About 5 a.m., Ace and Dr. Niederee appeared on foot, with out medical provides or sleeping bag. I discovered that they’d tried to work their approach throughout some brush alongside the steep shale hillside when hassle started.
Ace’s horse hit the shale, slipped and spun round. The physician’s horse, Puffer, slipped on the shale and slid about 10 ft down the mountain. Puffer one way or the other got here to a cease, and Dr. Niederee eased out of the stirrups in order to not unbalance the horse. He bought off, grabbed for a bush and fought his approach up out of the free shale. Puffer tried to get out however slid down one other 100 ft. It was not possible for Ace and the physician to get to the horse at nighttime.
Later that morning a few of my males tried to get Puffer out. They bought the saddle, sleeping bag and medical provides and deliberate to come back again the following day with extra assist. But it was too late. In his try to get out, Puffer went over the sting of the cliff and fell 200 ft to his loss of life.
Dr. Niederee regarded my leg over and noticed there was no rapid hazard. He was involved about hypothermia. The males constructed a fireplace to heat the size of my physique.
After I used to be comfy and considerably heat, we spent the remainder of the night time ready for the helicopter that was to come back in at dawn. Mike constructed a fireplace the place he wished the helicopter to land.
It started to get mild, and we strained to listen to the helicopter, nevertheless it didn’t come. Time started to pull due to the anticipation, and for the primary time, I used to be starting to stay up for going to the hospital.
About a half-hour after dawn the helicopter broke the Continental Divide, and all of us heard it on the similar time. It was a good looking sound, and it didn’t come any too quickly. I used to be beginning to shiver uncontrollably.
The Medivac workforce carried out flawlessly and bought me to Alamosa Community Hospital with no hitch. The pilot flabbergasted passers-by when he put the ship down smack in entrance of the emergency room door.
After the medical doctors regarded me over, they rapidly bought me underneath an electrical blanket. My temperature was right down to 95 levels, and my blood stress was low. Dr. Niederee thought I’d misplaced as a lot as three pints of blood. My proper leg from knee to ankle regarded like hamburger. One of the small bones was damaged, and there was an infection in addition to doable nerve harm. I additionally suffered bites on my left leg, each arms, and my proper shoulder. I count on to return in for surgical procedure to assist mend the damaged bone in my leg, and a few pores and skin graft and nerve restore.
Now that the ordeal is over, I can’t assist however suppose again on incidents in my looking territory. Once I guided a hunter who watched over a horse carcass as a bait. During the night time, a bear dragged the horse, which weighed about 400 kilos, to an space about 100 yards away to feed on it. I assumed it was a giant black, however now I’m wondering if it may have been a grizzly.
About seven years in the past, whereas I used to be away from my base camp, a bear moved in and destroyed it. I discovered 7-inch broad prints within the filth. Again, I believed it was a giant black bear.
Three of my purchasers have insisted that they’ve seen grizzlies. I do know there are many blacks in my territory; my hunters noticed 5 through the 1979 elk bow season alone. The blacks are blond, brown, fire-engine purple, black, and shades in between. I at all times figured these “grizzlies” have been large blacks, however now I’m not so certain.
With the grizzly encounter now a matter of historical past, one in every of my most honest hopes is that experiences like mine is not going to make folks worry the outside. As at all times, any bear is to be revered for its potential hazard, not feared. I don’t know why the grizzly attacked me, however I’ve no qualms about going proper again into that nation as quickly as I can. You will be certain of 1 factor, although. The subsequent time I come throughout big bear tracks, I’m going to surprise simply what made them.
About Ed Wiseman, the Bear Attack Survivor
Ed Wiseman didn’t survive the grizzly assault due to luck. He is a robust man, and he was in a position to make use of his energy in opposition to the bear. He didn’t want to kill the bear and tried to keep away from taking an aggressive stand till he realized it was a matter of life or loss of life. Since the incident, Wiseman has repeatedly acknowledged that he doesn’t need folks to worry bears, solely respect them.
Since the assault, biologists have discovered that the grizzly that attacked Wiseman was an previous sow, greater than 20 years previous and weighing about 400 kilos.
Until this assault, grizzlies have been considered extinct in Colorado. Two have been killed in 1951, earlier than the bears have been declared an endangered species. Both have been about 3 years previous. One of them was killed only a dozen miles or so from the place the place Wiseman was attacked.
Wiseman owns Toneda Outfitters in Crestone, Colorado, and hunts year-round. He makes use of hounds for cougars and bears. Wiseman runs a clear camp, and desires solely critical hunters. He doesn’t permit alcoholic drinks, as a result of he needs his hunters to be of their greatest bodily form every day within the mountains. Although he accommodates gun hunters, he’s a bowhunter himself and makes a speciality of archery hunts. He is an official measurer for the Pope and Young Club.
Mike Niederee, who was with Wiseman through the assault, says, “Ed is one of the finest outdoorsmen I’ve ever known. There’s a local saying that nobody keeps up with Ed Wiseman in the woods. He’s simply the toughest guy around.”
One of his nephews sums up Wiseman’s skills this manner: “Of course Uncle Ed won the bear fight. He wins every time.” —Jim Zumbo, Jan. 1980
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