8/15/2005, 2:39 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Pennsylvania man was killed when he
stepped in front of an assistant guide attempting to shoot a wounded
grizzly bear, Alaska State Troopers said.
Gary Kern, 37, of Gettysburg, died Sunday. He was shot while
hunting with a guide service at the Chakachanta River three miles
south of Beluga Lake.
Beluga Lake is about 75 miles northwest of Anchorage across Cook
Inlet.
Kern had fired two shots and wounded a grizzly bear, troopers said.
As the bear fled into brush, the head guide ordered his assistant
guide to shoot to stop the bear, troopers said.
The assistant guide raised his .338 rifle to fire. Kern stepped in
front of the weapon and was hit in the head, troopers said.
Troopers say no criminal charges have been filed in the case.
Troopers from Soldotna flew to the scene by helicopter, trooper
spokesman Greg Wilkinson said Monday morning. They hope to return to
recover the body.
"They ran out of daylight and did not have enough room on the
helicopter to transport the body last night," Wilkinson said.
The bear escaped and troopers also hope to track the wounded
animal.
Kern had owned a cabin near Soldotna, Wilkinson said.
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