http://www.examiner.com/article/grizzly-bear-mauls-two-men-trapping-coyotes-alaskaA grizzly(brown) bear mauled two men trapping coyotes near Kenai, Alaska.
Neither man had a firearm or bear spray.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Jeff Selinger told the Peninsula Clarion, “If you are putting out bait or setting traps the bears are still active and I would highly suggest having a firearm with you in case you run into a bad situation. At the very least, bear spray.”
One man suffered minor injuries. The other man had major injuries and was flown to a hospital in Anchorage.
Although it's somewhat late in the year for bears to be out, Selinger said some bears don't den as soon as others. Fish & Game has trapped bears in December.
The men were trapping near the Kenai River in an area where the carcasses of spawned out salmon littered the shores.
The men were separated when the bear injured one man. His calls and the bear's roars attracted the second man. The Anchorage Daily News said "the trappers and Fish and Game think the bear may have been a surprised sow protecting her cubs ."
Fish and Game has no plans to take action against the bear.
Trapping is legal, however, many public comments about the story posted at the Anchorage Daily News express anger at the men for trapping.
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