An Idaho hunter was bitten multiple times by a wounded black bear during a fierce brawl with the animal Sunday northeast of Boise that ended with the hunter fatally shooting the bruin with a handgun.
Marvin Jennings, 43, of Boise, was airlifted to a hospital after his brutal fight with the bear but he is expected to recover.
Jennings and his uncle, who was visiting from Lynnwood, Washington, were hunting over a bear bait site on Clear Creek in Boise County when the incident occurred. Near dusk Sunday, the two men observed a large black bear approaching their bait site. The uncle shot and wounded the animal, which ran away.
After a short period of time, Jennings located and approached the bear and it charged, knocking Jennings to the ground and both the hunter and the bear tumbled down a hill. The bear bit Jennings multiple times on the left arm and leg before Jennings killed the animal with a handgun.
Jennings was airlifted to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized.
Following normal protocol after an animal attack, Idaho Fish and Game staff interviewed Jennings and his uncle at the hospital. Other staff conducted interviews near the incident site and examined the bear. Tooth wear revealed that the bear, though otherwise healthy, was very old.
Several local residents, a Boise County sheriff's deputy and a Boise National Forest Law Enforcement Officer assisted with this effort.
