Grizzly Bear Attack Leaves Hunter Severely Injured, Inspires Change

A harrowing encounter with a grizzly bear left Jeremy Evans, a 39-year-old father, critically injured during a solo hunting trip in the remote Alberta Rockies on August 24, 2017. The shocking details of the attack reveal not only the physical trauma he endured but also the profound psychological impact that still resonates with him today.

While observing a group of sheep, Evans was unexpectedly charged by a female bear protecting her cub. In a split second, he had to react. He attempted to fend off the bear with his backpack but was quickly overpowered. The bear bit him on his hand, causing severe damage to his bones. In a desperate bid for survival, Evans climbed a tree, only to be pulled back down and attacked again.

“The bear came in with her mouth and bit me right on the left side below my ribs, but above my hips,” he recounted. “She picked me up and shook me like a rag doll.” In a brutal moment, the bear removed the entire left side of Evans’ face in one swift motion, leaving him critically injured and bleeding.

Despite his severe injuries, Evans managed to fight back by targeting the bear’s underbelly. He recalled, “She made a horrible sound and started bucking like a bronco.” The bear eventually retreated, but not before dragging him nearly 1,000 feet, further exacerbating his wounds.

With a sense of resignation, Evans began to pick up pieces of his own flesh from the ground, contemplating his fate. “I knew that this was it. I wasn’t gonna make it very far,” he said, reflecting on the moment he accepted his dire situation.

Evans attempted to end his life, loading his rifle and placing it against his chin, but the weapon misfired, giving him a spark of hope. “That gave me the courage to walk down the mountain,” he stated. Despite overwhelming pain and blood loss, he managed to navigate through the treacherous terrain, reaching a creek where he lay in agony.

In a remarkable show of resilience, Evans sent goodbye messages to his family and found the strength to continue. He eventually reached a campsite, where he wrote a heartfelt note to his wife, Joyce Evans. After several hours, he finally made it to his vehicle and drove approximately 22 kilometers to a resort, where he received critical medical attention.

Evans was airlifted to a hospital, where he underwent a staggering five major surgeries, two of which lasted up to 13 hours. His injuries were so severe that a child mistook him for a prankster in a “zombie” costume. After spending five weeks in recovery, Evans faced the long-term effects of the attack, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To raise awareness about PTSD, Jeremy Evans documented his experience in a book titled Mauled. He aims to raise $5 million for PTSD research, highlighting the importance of mental health support for survivors of traumatic events.

Now, Evans travels internationally to deliver motivational speeches, sharing his story of survival and resilience. While the physical scars may heal over time, the emotional journey continues as he advocates for those who face similar challenges. His experience serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.