Alaska moose hunter Gavin Haakenson was attacked by a brown bear near the Killey River on September 2 but escaped with bruising and a claw scratch after his friend Ethan Yeager fired pistol shots. The encounter lasted under 10 seconds and Haakenson says he blacked out and is relieved he doesn't recall the bear being on him. His jacket and rifle gear were damaged (KUIU will replace the jacket), and he faces about six weeks of physical therapy. Wildlife officers found coat scraps but no bear; officials warned a wounded bear could be territorial if hunters return.
“I Blacked Out”: How a Friend’s Shots Helped an Alaska Hunter Survive a Brown Bear Attack
Image by LTapsaH on Pixabay
Gavin Haakenson remembers the brown bear closing the roughly 10-foot gap: the charge, the teeth, and his attempt to raise his rifle. What he doesn't remember, he says, is what came next — he blacked out. Haakenson is grateful for that blank in his memory after a terrifying encounter outside Soldotna, Alaska, on September 2.
The Encounter
Haakenson and his friend Ethan Yeager were scouting for moose near swampy ponds along the Killey River after work. Haakenson had been tracking a particular bull for two years and hoped this season he'd be able to harvest it. Instead, a brown bear found him first.
"I saw its face. Its teeth were out," Haakenson told Outdoor Life. "It hit me in the shoulder and knocked me down." Yeager immediately fired his pistol. Because the bear was on top of Haakenson and blocked Yeager's view, he initially avoided aiming directly at his friend. Yeager fired two shots; as the bear rose and ran away, Yeager continued firing and may have hit the animal in the rump.
"Last thing I remember was trying to shoulder my rifle and the bear jumping at me," Haakenson said. "Then I don't remember what happened. That's when my black out started."
Aftermath and Injuries
The entire confrontation lasted less than 10 seconds. After the bear fled, the two hunters hurried back to Yeager's truck while shouting "hey bear" — this time with clear fear in their voices. Medics later found Haakenson with bruising and a claw scratch on his shoulder but no broken bones or stitches. He is expected to need about six weeks of physical therapy for his shoulder.
Haakenson's clothing and gear fared worse than his body. The bear's claw tore through his puffy coat without breaking skin; the jacket sleeve was largely shredded. His riflescope was dented and the gunstock scratched. Outdoor gear maker KUIU is reportedly replacing the damaged jacket.
Investigation And What Comes Next
Wildlife officers searched the scene and found digging sites and scraps of Haakenson's coat but no blood, no hair, and no bear. Officials cautioned that a wounded bear could be particularly dangerous and territorial if hunters returned to the area.
Haakenson told Outdoor Life he is torn between wanting to go back and find the bear and not wanting to alarm his mother or risk confronting an angrier animal. For now, he says he is glad he blacked out and doesn't recall the bear being on top of him.
Context
While many bear encounters end without serious injury, this incident underlines how quickly a defensive or predatory animal can close distance and how essential quick thinking and backup can be. The combined outcomes — a fortunate lack of major injury, damaged gear, and uncertain status of the bear — leave several difficult choices for the hunters and wildlife officials.
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