Wounded bear mauls 83-year-old hunter

A brown bear turned the tables Monday on an 83-year-old hunting party member in the Tahoe National Forest near Camptonville, severely mauling the man's arm and shoulder, authorities said.

The victim, Orval Sanders of Oroville, was taken by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center where he underwent surgery for a crushed left wrist, said Mark Lucero of the state Department of Fish and Game.

Sanders and six other men were hunting with dogs near Alleghany in Sierra County when they treed three bears. One of three bears came down from the tree after being shot and attacked Sanders, said Lucero.

"The bear came out of the tree and grabbed the guy," badly mauling his arm and shoulder, said Lucero.

Sanders told an investigator that he tried to protect himself by raising both arms in front of him. The bear slashed and bit both arms, said Lucero.

It was not clear if Sanders was carrying a gun when attacked, said Lucero.

Another member of the party shot the bear in the head, killing it, he said.

One of the companions brought Sanders to a U.S. Forest Service station in Camptonville. The companion was vague about circumstances of the attack, according to an agency spokeswoman.

None of the companions accompanied Sanders to the hospital and apparently resumed the hunt. A warden was trying to locate them later Monday, said Lucero.

At this time of year before they hibernate, brown bears have been known to reach 500 pounds. It's not unusual for a wounded bear to attack when treed or cornered, he said.

A similar incident occurred last year in Plumas County when a hunter was tracking a wounded bear that went down an embankment. The animal came back up and severely mauled the hunter, said Lucero.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat. com.