Montana Man Lucky To Be Alive After Grizzly Attack

On September 8, 2023, a Montana man was mauled by a Grizzly about 55 miles outside of Yellowstone Park in the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

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What were The Circumstances of the Attack?

According to the Associated Press:  Rudy Noorlander, owner of an ATV and snowmobile rental business in Big Sky, was helping a couple of hunters who had rented from him locate a deer they had shot earlier.

The hunters spotted a small Grizzly near a carcass that was NOT the deer the hunters shot.  Noorlander was going to fire off a shot to scare off the small grizzly, when a big Grizzly emerged from behind a tree and attacked.

Noorlander's gun misfired and he didn't have time to get his bear spray out, so he tried punching the bear, but it didn't really phase the animal.  The bear bit and scratched Noorlander all over his body, then bit off the man's lower jaw.

The other 2 hunters were firing at the bear and it eventually left the area.

Help Came Fairly Quickly

After about 2 hours, Noorlander was airlifted out of the area by Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue.  They flew him to the hospital in Bozeman.  He remained conscious the whole time.  After being stabilized, he was flown to The University of Utah Hospital.  Noorlander is expected to be in the hospital, at least, until October.

The United States Forest Service is still investigating the incident.  They haven't seen any bears in the area since the attack.  The Forest Service believes the bear was defending a nearby carcass, making this a defensive encounter.

There is a Go Fund Me if You'd Like to Help

Click here to donate to Noorlander's recovery.