The vast wilderness of Alaska is home to some of the most incredible wildlife in North America.

But hunting in the Last Frontier comes with some different risks.

An Alaskan hunter pulled this sick move to survive the worst possible situation.

Hunter travels to Alaska to hunt Kodiak bears with a bow

Utah resident Tyce Erickson was on the hunting trip of a lifetime in Kodiak Island, Alaska. He was on a guided hunt for Kodiak bears, which is one the largest bear species on earth along with the polar bear. Kodiak bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. 

Hunting for the bears on Kodiak Island requires one of the coveted licenses to do it. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game usually issues four a season in the area of the island that Erickson wanted to hunt. Male bears are hunted exclusively to help control the population. 

Erickson was trying to bag a Kodiak Bear with a bow which required him to get closer than 30 yards. He took an M&P 10MM handgun with him as backup on the hunt. 

He spent two weeks with his guide, Ryan, and another hunter but failed to bag a Kodiak bear. On the final day of the hunt, he hit paydirt. Erickson ran into a massive male Kodiak bear. But the bear managed to get out of range before he could get a shot off with his bow. 

Erickson borrowed a rifle and took aim at the bear. But he missed his first before hitting the Kodiak with his second shot. The bear retreated into the brush. 

They tracked the wounded bear for two miles but the beast had an advantage on them. The wind was blowing their scents in the direction of the bear. 

Hunter takes down a Kodiak bear with his pistol

The thick brush allowed the bear to surprise Erickson and his guide Ryan. The wounded Kodiak charged them.

“There was no way we could move through that stuff without making a bunch of noise,” Erickson said. “He came right out of the brush, right toward Ryan. He had smelled us and heard us and knew we were coming. He didn’t like us and he’d had enough. He was coming for us.”

Ryan managed to hit the bear with his rifle but tripped over a log while he was backpedaling. The guide yelled out for help. He got off another shot that missed the bear.

“I had my gun out and ready since we were tracking it. I ran to his side through the brush to clear the guide, not shooting over him, and the bear erupted in front of me with a little less brush. This is all happening in seconds. I am guessing around 15 to 20 feet,” Erickson told Outkick.

“I fired three times and after skinning the bear, found a bullet in the chest we believed to be from the guide’s rifle and two bullets from my pistol. One in the neck and one through the back. I had 15 rounds, but the guide said to stop shooting when the bear rolled after my third shot. The skull is part of the animal you bring home, and he didn’t want it shot on accident with the pistol and broken,” Erickson continued. 

KODIAK BEAR charged from 12 feet and taken with an M&P10MM.

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The rifle shot from the guide hit the bear in the chest. Erickson managed to bring it down with 10MM rounds to the neck and the back. 

“We were glad it all turned out positive, guns worked the way they should and no one was hurt,” Erickson said. “It’s an amazing place in the world to be able to hunt those amazing animals. I hope it stays that way forever. The bears are healthy and doing great there.”

Tyce Erickson became a viral sensation on the internet for the massive Kodiak he bagged. And he has a memory that he will never forget.

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