A fisherman shot and wounded a bear near the Russian River on Monday night, according to a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The extent of the bear’s injury has not been confirmed, but USFW officers are actively searching the area.
The USFW report states that the incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. near the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers.
An eyewitness report indicated the angler was charged by a brown bear, although law enforcement has not confirmed this.
Deputy Manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Steve Miller, said that USFW officers tracked the animal last night but were unsuccessful in locating it. “There was a blood trail that was found. It was followed for a ways, and then it started getting dusk, and the folks turned around and came back out. We’re going to wait to go back in until this morning.”
Miller said officers returned to the area to search at about 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Until further notice, all visitors are asked to stay clear of the angler trail between the Russian River Ferry and the confluence.
Anyone with information on the incident or the potential whereabouts of the bear should call the Kenai Refuge Headquarters at (907) 262-7021 or call 9-1-1.
