Red in tooth and claw. That’s how untamed nature was seen even by poets until Disney came along with visions of beasts that can tear you to ribbons becoming the best friend you never had.
In real life, Disney yields to Tennyson once you step beyond the concrete jungle.
Tyler Johnson, 32, was hiking with is dad in Alaska last Saturday, in tall grass away from the trails, when they unexpectedly encountered a bear. It was startled, and attacked Tyler.
He didn’t have much time to react, but he pulled out his gun and started shooting like his life depended on it… which of course it did.
His dad drew and did the same thing. He got mauled, but he lived. In the process, he shot himself once through the thigh as he was falling as you can see in the video.
With the dead bear behind him in the grass, a makeshift tourniquet around his leg, and rescue being organized by local authorities… he took a minute to pull out the camera and tell his story. And why not? It’s a helluva story.
But notice how calm he is for someone who just went through an ordeal like