CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man who was attacked by a bear Tuesday afternoon talked to GantDaily about his harrowing experience.
Todd Winters said he was out bear hunting with his father and that they had tracked some bears. Winters said he told his father he would chase one out to his father.
He said he saw what he believed to be a cub from last year. Winters said the bear weighed about 90 pounds. Winters said that he had not seen a big bear at this point.
“I yelled ‘Go bear’,” said Winters.
He said that the bear began to take off but took a 180 degree turn and ran right past him.
Winters said he began to pivot when he caught sight of a big bear out of the corner of his eye. He said he pulled the trigger and the bear was on him.
Winters said the bear worked its way up his body during the attack, starting at his legs. He said he brought an arm to protect his head. He said the bear grabbed the arm and began to shake.
Winters said that with his other arm he grabbed his .357 and emptied the cylinder.
“She took off,” said Winters.
He said he crawled out of the woods and that his wife picked him up and drove him to the hospital.
He said he suffered some lacerations and puncture wounds and praised the staff at Clearfield Hospital.
“They did a great job,” said Winters. “I feel pretty good.”
Winters, a lifelong hunter, said the experience has not deterred him from hunting in the future. He said he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Winters joked that he’s currently in negotiations with his wife regarding deer season.
