{"id":97512,"date":"2018-09-18T14:33:31","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T18:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=97512"},"modified":"2024-08-03T20:56:38","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T01:56:38","slug":"hunt365-one-dead-grizzlies-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-one-dead-grizzlies-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"One Dead After Grizzlies Attack Elk Hunters in Wyoming"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"One<\/a>

Mark Uptain was killed by a grizzly bear on Friday while guiding an elk hunt. (Photo: GoFundMe for Mark Uptain\u2019s Wife & Kids<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>\n

One man has been killed and another sustained serious injuries after a grizzly bear attack in Wyoming on Friday.<\/p>\n

Authorities at the Teton County Sheriff\u2019s Office said Florida resident Corey Chubon and local guide Mark Uptain were field dressing an elk that Chubon had shot with a bow the previous day. While packing the elk, two grizzly bears approached the hunters, one of which attacked. Chubon was able to escape, but search and rescue found Uptain\u2019s body the next afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims\u2019 families and friends,\u201d said Brad Hovinga, Jackson regional wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.<\/p>\n

The hunters found the elk\u2019s body undisturbed, Hovinga said in a press release<\/a>, which rules out food guarding as a motivation for the attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis type of bear behavior is not consistent with what we would normally see, especially from a family group,\u201d Hovinga said. \u201cIt is more typical for bears to behave in a defensive manner to protect a food source, cubs and their personal space in a surprise encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Authorities said in a separate press release that a sow (female grizzly) first attacked Uptain. Chuban was able to run to his pack a few yards away and retrieve a pistol, but was unable to safely fire a shot at the bear. The sow suddenly spun, charged Chubon, grabbed his foot, and dragged him to the ground. He sustained injuries to his leg, chest, and arm, but was able to throw the gun to Uptain and get loose before running from the scene to phone for help. The second bear, later determined to be a yearling, did not engage either Chubon or Uptain.<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO:\u00a0Federal Judge Blocks Grizzly Hunt Two Days before Opening Day<\/a><\/h2>\n

A later investigation also found a discharged can of bear spray with the safety off near the body, which investigators determined had been used on the sow.<\/p>\n

Wyoming Game and Fish have since killed two bears believed to have been involved in the attack. Authorities set foot snares in the dead elk\u2019s vicinity and found a yearling grizzly caught in the trap the next day. While investigating, Game and Fish personnel were charged by the sow, who they shot and killed. After the yearling was \u201cdetermined to be involved in the attack,\u201d it was euthanized.<\/p>\n

Mark Uptain was a father of five, a small business owner, and a hunting guide for Martin Outfitters.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with the Jackson Hole News&Guide<\/a> about his business, Uptain said he spent his free time with his wife, Sarah, and their kids, serving on the board of elders at First Baptist Church, riding horses, hunting, fishing, biking and playing chess.<\/p>\n

Shortly after Uptain\u2019s death, Rauli Perry, a family friend, created a\u00a0GoFundMe page<\/a>\u00a0in his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I can\u2019t take away the pain,\u201d Perry says on the page, \u201cbut if we can help support Sarah to be able to focus on the kids and not worry about finances.\u201d<\/p>\n

So far they\u2019re well on their way. In the three day\u2019s since the page\u2019s creation, donors have raised over $122,000.<\/p>\n