Hunting Guide Dead After Grizzly Bear Attacks During Elk Hunt

A grizzly bear killed a Wyoming hunting guide and attacked his client, who survived and was able to escape to seek help, in the Teton Wilderness in Wyoming.
Hunting Guide Dead After Grizzly Bear Attacks During Elk Hunt

A grizzly bear killed a Wyoming hunting guide and attacked his client, who survived and was able to escape to seek help, while the two were field dressing an elk in the Teton Wilderness near Jackson Hole, Wyo.

According to the Teton County Sheriff's Office, hunting guide Mark Uptain of Martin Outfitters and his client, Corey Chubon of Florida, killed an elk on Thursday, Sept. 14, during a guided bow hunt. They were near Terrace Mountain, about 5.8 miles northeast of the Turpin Meadow Trailhead in the Teton Wilderness.

Wyoming guide Mark Uptain.

They returned Friday to field dress and remove the elk, which they found that afternoon undisturbed. After dressing the elk they were preparing to leave when two grizzly bears attacked. Uptain was attacked first; Chubon managed to scramble to his pack to retrieve a gun but was unable to fire a shot at the bear before it attacked him, too. He managed to escape, however, and return for help.

Responders returned and discovered Uptain's body

Here is the report from the Teton County Sheriff's Office:

Two hunters were involved in a bear attack Friday, September 14, in the Teton Wilderness while field dressing an elk near Terrace Mountain, approximately 5.8 miles northeast of the Turpin Meadow Trailhead.

Florida resident, Corey Chubon, shot an elk during a guided bow hunt late Thursday afternoon. He and his guide, Mark Uptain of Martin Outfitters, were unable to locate the wounded animal before nightfall. The pair returned Friday morning to locate and remove the elk. They found the undisturbed carcass in the early afternoon and were preparing to pack out the elk when they were aggressively charged by two large bears.

Chubon was able to run to his pack gear a few yards away and retrieve a pistol but was unable to safely fire a shot at the bear that had struck Uptain. The attacking bear then 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. Initial reports indicate that the second bear did not engage either Chubon or Uptain.

An interagency helicopter was dispatched to the scene to assist with transport of the injured hunters. Chubon was taken to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, WY, for treatment to his wounds. Search and Rescue personnel were unable to locate Uptain before the search was suspended for the evening. An interagency team from the Teton County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Grand Teton National Park, and Bridger-Teton National Forest resumed the search at 6:30 am Saturday morning.

Mark Uptain was discovered deceased Saturday afternoon at approximately 1:15 pm by Search & Rescue personnel.

Official cause of death will be determined by the Teton County Coroner’s office.

Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) was assisted in this effort by agency partners from Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming Game & Fish, the Teton County Sheriff’s office, Tip Top Search and Rescue of Sublette County, as well as local outfitters and search dog crews. TCSAR would like to publicly thank these partners and Turpin Meadow Ranch for their assistance, as well as all of the dedicated TCSAR volunteers that activated and assisted with all search activities.

Additional details related to search activities will be provided as they become available.

Related: How Much Time Does a Hunter Have to Draw and Fire on a Charging Grizzly?

UPDATE

This report from the Jackson Hole News & Guide gives more detailed information about the attack. The story has information from the hunter who fled the scene after the initial attack.

Read it here.

 



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