CASPER, Wyo. — Two people recreating south of Cody on Saturday, Oct. 15 were injured by a grizzly bear, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
One person was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the area while the other was transported via ambulance, Game and Fish said in a release on Monday.
The two people came across the grizzly at close range while recreating and antler hunting in heavy cover west of the Bobcat Houlihan trailhead on the Shoshone National Forest, Game and Fish said. After sustaining injuries from the grizzly bear, the two were able to call 911 from near the scene. Park County Search and Rescue was activated. Game and Fish personnel also responded to the scene.
A hunter in the area, a resident and other members of the party helped the two individuals who were injured reach the trailhead, where they were transported for injuries, Game and Fish said.
“Special thanks to Park County Search and Rescue and the Park County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and coordination of the rescue,” said Dan Smith, Cody Region wildlife supervisor with Game and Fish.
Game and Fish is gathering further details as it investigates the incident.
“Based on the initial information, this appears to be a sudden, surprise encounter with a grizzly bear,” Game and Fish said.
There has been an “abundance of bear activity” in recent weeks at low elevations around the South Fork and North Fork of the Shoshone River, Clarks Fork River and Greybull River drainages, Game and Fish said.
“In the vicinity where the attack occurred, reports from landowners and hunters indicate there may be six to 10 different bears moving between agricultural fields and low-elevation slopes,” Smith said. “Game and Fish will continue to monitor bear activity in the area and work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make management decisions in the best interest of public safety.
“This is a sad and unfortunate situation; we wish both victims a full and speedy recovery.”
