Author Bears Down On Grizzly Attacks

Romantics like to portray the grizzly as a lumbering Winnie-the-Pooh that’s been a misunderstood victim of human violence.

Story tellers, however, have raised more interest for centuries by capturing the details of the grizzly’s darker side.

“Sometimes grizzlies kill people, and in exceptionally rare cases they even eat them,” writes Scott McMillion in “Mark of the Grizzly,” (Falcon Press, $14.95).

“Those incidents are the focus of this book because that’s what makes bears so interesting, such a huge part of our culture and our collective imagination.”

The author, who lives in Livingston, Mont., probes into the cases of 18 grizzly attacks throughout North America. The incidents occurred between 1977 and 1997.

“It’s good for us, as a species, to know that we aren’t really on top of the food chain, to know that we must share the wilderness with creatures that make us open our ears and eyes and noses, that force us to be more primal,” he wrote

In an interview last week, he elaborated, “There’s been a lot of historical books on grizzly attacks, and most of them perpetuate myths about bears.

“In covering stories around the Yellowstone area for years, I’ve developed a keen interest in bears, and some insight into bear encounters.”

In particular, he’s been moved by the gripping stories of people who have survived bear maulings.

“Newspaper accounts of bear attacks are mostly accurate,” he said. “But you get a much clearer picture of the incident by going back after the victim has some perspective on it, and after biologists have had time to investigate and analyze what happened.”

McMillion takes readers on a giant leap from news accounts so they can meet and understand the people involved.

“The people are not anonymous victims,” he said. “For a lot of these people, the attack was a life-changing experience, and I’m not just talking about physical injuries.”

In 1977, for example, Barry Gilbert “got his butt kicked about as much as you could take and survive by the first wild bear he ever saw,” McMillion said. “He recovered and went on to build a distinguished career in bear biology.”

The book weaves into the real stories plenty of practical advice for dealing with bears.

The advantage of readily accessible pepper spray over a firearm is clearly documented.

“Several books on bear attacks are full of stories about wounded bears knocking the hell out of somebody,” he said. “It’s harder to find stories about a bear with a face full of pepper spray attacking somebody.

“I look at what victims did right and wrong, but I don’t second guess them,” McMillion said.

“Everyone with experience in bear country knows the rules: Make noise, stay in groups, don’t run. But a bear attack can happen incredibly quickly. You can forget the rules.”

McMillion’s one minor personal experience with an aggressive grizzly rammed home that point.

“She scared the hell out of me and I reacted poorly,” he said. “I panicked.”

“If she hadn’t stopped her charge on her own, I fear what could have happened. I totally forgot about the pepper spray on my belt.”

McMillion said he plans to feature several excerpts from the book during an informal reading Thursday at 7:30 p.m., at Auntie’s Bookstore.

“Usually I get a lot of questions at readings, and people come out with a lot of their own tales,” he said. “One thing I’ve learned: anyone who’s been on the ground with a bear has a great story.”

AUNTIE’S OUTDOORS Outdoors topics are featured at 7:30 p.m. programs at Auntie’s Book Store this week: Wednesday: Rich Landers and Dan Hansen will inform and entertain with a slide show based on their guidebook “Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest.” Thursday: Scott McMillion will read gripping passages from his book, “Mark of the Grizzly.”