Wyoming guide dead after bear attack; Florida hunter hurt

JACKSON, Wyo. — Wyoming authorities say a hunting guide has been found dead after he and a client were attacked by a bear.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports the body of 37-year-old Mark Uptain was found Saturday.

Teton County spokesman Billy Kirk said the client, Corey Chubon of Florida, suffered leg, chest and arm injuries and was flown to a Jackson hospital. The newspaper reported he left the hospital Saturday.

His hometown wasn’t listed.

Authorities said Chubon was bow hunting and shot an elk Thursday, but he and Uptain could not find the animal until Friday. They were preparing to pack it out that day when they were charged by two bears.

Kirk said one of the bears attacked Uptain and then Chubon. He says Chubon was able to flee and phone for help.

Brad Hovinga, regional wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, told the Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide that “all indications” are that the bear was a grizzly. The agency planned to use foothold snares and to leave the devices in the field overnight.

Game and Fish staffers remained staked out in the field Saturday afternoon. The attack occurred in the Terrace Mountain area of the Teton Wilderness.

“That country is so full of bears,” Hovinga said.

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