Luck and a fierce determination to live helped a Cranbrook resident survive a grizzly bear attack near Pritchard Road (across the highway from the Spray Irrigation fields) the evening of Sept. 1.

Hunting for elk with a friend, Chad Dueck was attacked by a sow grizzly with a couple of cubs nearby. Using arrows and his bow, the experienced hunter somehow managed to convince the enraged grizzly to run off, enabling him to do the same.

“Well I’m lucky; the bite marks on my neck missed my carotid artery by a few millimetres. Claw marks across my back and my front. Ripped open my right bicep, bit my ass cheek and lower back. Bit through my jaw; some missing teeth. And nerve damage on my left side. I fought the griz hand-to-hand with several arrows and whaled the griz with my bow. That sent it flying! And I ran out of there!” Chad Dueck related.

After fleeing the scene, Dueck managed to find his hunting partner, who raced him into East Kootenay Regional Hospital. He was then transferred by helicopter to Calgary’s Foothills Hospital.

Dueck’s stepmother Christie posted an update on Facebook yesterday.

“He is currently receiving treatment at Calgary’s Foothills Hospital. Chad, a well-known and highly respected hunter, was bow hunting for elk when the grizzly bear sow with two cubs attacked.

“He single-handedly fought off the bear, called 911 and then was able to walk toward and call out to his hunting buddy who drove him to the Cranbrook hospital. Injuries are not life threatening and we expect him back here in a couple of days. It was pretty rough seeing him last night, but no broken bones, all limbs and eyes intact. One very lucky man. We wish him a speedy recovery, Menno and Christie.”

Additionally, a Go Fund Me account has been established to help Chad, who is self employed, with medical and recovery costs.

To donate please go HERE.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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