Riley Hill, a hunter from Idaho, recently survived a terrifying encounter with a grizzly bear while hunting in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Doctors predict that it will take him two months to fully recover from the attack. Hill and his friend Braxton Meyers were hunting for elk when the bear suddenly lunged at Hill. The investigation into the attack concluded that the hunters acted in self-defense during the surprise encounter with the bear. Hill described the experience as feeling like playing tug of war with his arm being ripped apart by the bear.
During the attack, Hill dropped his bow and used a handgun to fire four shots at the bear, but it still managed to bite into his arm and fling him around. Meyers, using his firearm, also shot at the bear in an attempt to bring it down. Hill recounted feeling the bullets hitting the bear through his arm as Meyers fired. In total, it took 24 bullets to take down the bear. Meyers, who remembered first aid skills from Boy Scouts, applied a tourniquet to Hill’s arm before he was airlifted to a nearby medical facility. The hunters later discovered that the bear had a reputation for killing local ranchers’ livestock and was known as the “King of the Hill.”
Hill and Meyers learned that the bear had been a problem for local farmers and ranchers, prompting some to express gratitude for taking down the bear. The animal had a fighting spirit, as evidenced by the fact that its ear had been torn off by another animal, leaving it vulnerable to surprise attacks. The bear was startled from its day bed when the hunters approached, leading to the violent encounter that ensued. Despite the ordeal, Meyers remains determined to proceed with his wedding on Oct. 12 and has asked Hill to be his best man, demonstrating the strong bond between the two friends who faced the bear attack together.
Reflecting on the incident, Hill expressed deep gratitude for his friend Meyers, stating that he would endure being mauled by a bear for his friendship. The hunters’ brave actions in defending themselves against the aggressive bear not only saved their lives but also potentially protected local farmers’ livestock from future attacks. The encounter serves as a reminder of the dangers that hunters and outdoor enthusiasts face when venturing into the wilderness, where wildlife encounters can quickly turn deadly. Despite the trauma of the experience, Hill and Meyers emerged from the attack with a renewed sense of camaraderie and gratitude for each other’s support during the harrowing incident.
