134 Tyler & Chris Johnson – Alaska Bear Attack
While hunting in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in August, Tyler Johnson and his father were suddenly charged by a large brown bear. Despite being seriously injured and accidently shot through the leg, the seasoned outdoorsman calmly filmed a video documenting the attack while waiting for rescue. Tyler and his dad join us to share their harrowing story.
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Here’s what we discuss:
Tyler’s dad Chris is a previous Warden’s Watch guest
A father and son trip ahead of a planned move to Texas
Working through dense brush, the pair emerge into tall grass
Chris hears a guttural growl
At the last moment, the bear pivots toward Tyler
Tyler races to unholster his sidearm
In seconds, the bear is on him
At some point, he accidentally shoots his left leg
“Oh… it has a collar.”
Both men fire at the animal
Immediate triage
Tyler’s boot is filling with blood
Chris applies a tourniquet to stop the bleeding
Tyler calmly documents the aftermath
Fifteen seconds
Preparing the helicopter landing zone
Rescue is almost two hours away
Airlifted to Anchorage
“Wow, this is beautiful. My leg hurts.”
A gunshot wound on one leg, a large gash on the other
Chris’ training had kicked in immediately
Tyler had saved his father in a previous medical emergency
“Now we’re even.”
Remained in Alaska for treatment
Takeaways: Always bring a trauma kit
Twenty-four rounds were fired
A small cub is found at the scene the next day
The Garmin InReach was integral to rescue
“Gunshot victim, bear mauling... and then the hospital staff just got me.”
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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