I received an e-mail from a freind entitled "I did not make this up!" with this story, as she wrote it:

It's in today's Richmond Times Dispatch, Metro section. In big black letters it says-- "Hunter Recounts Black Bear Attack" well, that certainly got my attention, esp. the part in the first paragraph about the "hulking” 600lb.creature. but, as you read along, you understand that the man was HUNTING the bear. He shot it, didn't kill it, and started tracking it. Along the way, he picked up reinforcements, they ALL shot at it, still didnt' kill it, and it went and hid. In order to do the "merciful" thing-- they went and got more ammunition, the man walked up to it, shot it right in the head and STILL didn't kill it, but SHORE as hell made it mad. It came after him, and meant business. It mauled his hands, thighs and face. The other hunters were shooting at it, ran out of bullets, and started beating on it with their guns. The bear chased them, but couldn't catch them, he was too slow. The wounded man crawled away, in the nick of time, the bear went BACK to finish what he started. (he was only doing the merciful thing, you understand) The children of the wounded hunter say that he has no hard feelings toward the dead bear, and they mention some of his other exploits: He has been previously attacked by 2 other bears, that he was NOT hunting. They didn't hurt him nearly as bad as this attack. (memo: Leave the Bears Alone!) In another incident, another hunter shot him, mistaking him for a turkey!! He also once broke his back, falling from a tree stand. (And God said, " what does it TAKE to make this man learn to play golf???) His daughter said he would surely return to the woods.

"You might as well tell a freight train not to run on the tracks" Let's hope they don't put antlers on the train.

Submitted on 12/08/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Richmond Times Dispa, 11-24-06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
This one's easy. The man is simply DETERMINED to win a Darwin Award! Please do let us know when he finally does bare all and take the final plunge. Please, don't get them all started on 'train-hunting'.

James said:
Neutral: Too Common
I'm not 100% sure this is an HM. In reality, it amounts to a REALLY great "hunting story", but I'm not feeling as much stupidity as I am plain bad luck. Because it has elements of a Keystone Cops short, however, I will vote neutral and keep this one alive...

Jack said:
Maybe Toss: Other
Without a reference, I must say that this has the marks of an "urban legend." You have no personal knowledge of this and there is no reference for us to verify it. Sorry...

Shadow said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I have to agree with a verifiable source that it really isnt an HM... thanks for the Submission!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Here is a link. http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855934842&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191854343&path=%21news. This guy is definitely not long for the gene pool. Good story. Thanks for sending it.

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