SURVIVING A BEAR ATTACK
By: Cate Cook

Gillette resident Wally Cash has been hunting west of Moran Junction for many of his 68 years, and is no amateur in the backcountry. Hunting with four friends in the wilderness area near Colter Bay, he was well aware of the grizzlies there, often seeing evidence that the big bruins were increasing. In fact, the group had 12 bear sightings between them in just the first day in the field. As the hunters spread out, Wally heard an elk bugle but, before he could investigate, heard a bear, too. Instantly he was jumped by a grizzly sow, knocking him back down the ridge he was climbing with unbelievable force. Cash played dead, while the angry bear grasped his head in her mouth, penetrating his skull above the eye, and one hand with which he tried helplessly to protect himself. Eventually she left, and Wally lay there, seriously injured but well aware of his predicament, giving the bear plenty of time to move on. Unbelievably, she returned, slapping him around some more. Finally, the enormous beast left, following her cubs out of the area.

Cash got up, found his rifle, and fired a shot to signal for help. With their help, and the coordination of a cell phone, GPS, and Emergency Services, a gravely wounded hunter was able to walk out to meet the chopper that airlifted him swiftly to Idaho Falls, fortunately a close-by Medical Center with head trauma specialists. Wally remembers losing consciousness sometime during the rescue process from loss of blood.  He woke up later in a hospital bed, with 200 stitches circling his head, and a titanium plate replacing bone where the giant’s fang had crushed his skull.  His hand was bitten nearly through and severely lacerated; it would take transplants of artificial skin to repair the damage. He also had a couple of broken ribs and countless bruises and had received 2 units of blood. The hunter felt very blessed to have survived his ordeal, though it would take a long time to fully recover from his wounds. State and Federal game officials were at Wally’s bedside the day after the mauling, but no one really has a clue as to what happened. He figures the 600-800 pound sow had been resting with her cubs, and was surprised by the hunters. She left to check on the cubs, returned to attack again, then left when the cubs moved out.

Now 68, Cash has returned to his normal routine, including work and hunting, but says he won’t be going back to his beloved wilderness area until the bear problem is resolved.  He is philosophical about the attack, recognizing the necessity of bears in the backcountry, but also concerned with the increasing numbers and proximity to human activities. Cash says the bears have lost all natural fear of man, and it is dangerous for hunters, hikers, and others to venture into those regions. He suggests people travel in pairs, 30-40 yards apart, following all standard precautions for bear country. He is proof, however, that even this is no guarantee of safety among such unpredictable, powerful creatures.  Wally believes environmentalists want the grizzlies to expand their territory, further taking over the Yellowstone eco-system, when they need to be removed from the Endangered Species List instead. He has also witnessed wolves running down elk for sport only, further destruction of game that will be continue as long as the two worst killing machines on the continent have the unlimited federal protection at the taxpayers expense. Oh, and speaking of expense, taxpayer Cash got a little more than his share, with a $36,000 hospital bill from his adventure.  Says Cash, “I have nothing against bears, but they have more rights than humans do, and they have taken away part of my life”.