Fatal Bear Attack in Arizona

by
posted on June 19, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Large Black Bear

A man building a home south of Prescott, Arizona was attacked and killed by a black bear on Friday, June 16. The 66 year old was sitting in a chair on his property, when the bear attacked him unprovoked. Neighbors attempted to intervene, but were unsuccessful.

Eventually, another neighbor shot and killed the animal while it was beginning to eat the man. Unfortunately, the victim was dead upon the arrival of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The carcass will be examined and tested for disease by AZGFD veterinarian and wildlife health specialist, Dr. Anne Justice-Allen.

There have been 15 bear attacks on people in the state since 1990. This is the second fatal bear attack in Arizona since then, which is as far back as the department’s database tracks. The first fatality occurred in 2011 in Pinetop.

The incident remains under investigation. For more information on bears in the state, visit azgfd.com.

Latest

Leupold Binos
Leupold Binos

Review: Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50mm

Contributor Phil Massaro reviews the Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50 binocular, which offers a stellar image at an attractive price.

New for 2026: Browning Trail Cameras' Defender Vision Pro LSF

The Defender Vision Pro LSF is Browning Trail Cameras' 2026 livestream cellular trail camera, built for users seeking immediate visibility and real-time awareness from the field. It is designed for both property and game monitoring.

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.