This encounter could’ve ended both much better and a lot worse, but Richard Wesley is just happy to be alive.
Wesley was out bowhunting on an old logging road at Fire River in Ontario, Canada, when he spotted a black bear in the distance. He crouched down a few feet from the main trail and waited on the bear. Unfortunately for Wesley, once the bear saw him and got spooked, it decided to charge.
The bear tackled him to the ground and then ran off. Fortunately for Wesley, he didn’t sustain any injuries other than a bruise or two.
“I am so happy after this confrontation with a black bear during our spring hunt,” said Wesley. “No wounds except a bruised elbow and ego where the bear threw me down. Genuinely happy that this was a non fatal or tragic outcome. Proving that the black bear is a wild and unpredictable animal. Again so happy with the outcome.”
Many commenters have said how he waited too long to make himself known, which spooked the bear and caused it to charge. Unfortunately, since Richard was bowhunting, he had to wait till the bear was actually with range if he hoped to get a clean shot off.
It’s a good thing the bear didn’t stick around after its initial tackle. If you have to get attacked by a bear, the outcome can’t come out much better than this.
