The following is another in a series of outdoor writings from the desk of Larry Kaniut, author of adventure books. Hopefully you will find them interesting and identify with these anecdotes in the weeks to come, finding encouragement, education or inspiration. His books may be found on his web site: www.kaniut.com

Hauled Away

by Larry Kaniut

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your head in a bear's mouth?  Or to have a bear maul you unmercifully? Al and Joyce Thompson were archery hunting for moose in 1972, when they encountered a bear with an attitude.

As the couple lay in sleeping bags under the Visqueen lean-to around 4 am that September morning, Al whispered to Joyce, "I think there's something in camp."

Glancing through the clear plastic sheeting, she noticed only inches from her face the huge, hairy leg of a brown bear. Just about then an earth shaking, ear splitting roar erupted from the giant as it reared onto two hind legs and crashed down upon their shelter.

Al thought about reaching for his .44 magnum revolver beside his head but feared if he turned, the bear might grab his neck in its jaws and snap it. Concerned about his wife's safety and hoping to divert the bear's attention, he quickly tossed his left arm around the brute's neck and began punching it in the face with his right fist.

In a heartbeat the bear chomped onto his left arm and stood erect, pulling him from his sleeping bag and tossing him through the air. The beast clamped its teeth around his head and with a foreleg around him, ran off into the woods on three legs.

Within moments the bear lost its purchase on his head and dropped Al when his scalp ripped off. He hit the ground and knew that his only hope was to lie still and play dead. He grabbed a hummock and held on as the bear returned to finish what it started.

Taken from chapter 2 in Alaska Bear Tales. See www.kaniut.com for more.