TWRA wildlife officers are investigating a reported bear encounter that allegedly occurred outside a residence on Eastridge Lane in Mountain City.
Wildlife officers say that on June 30 at approximately 9 p.m., a 47-year-old man claims he exited a woodshed and was confronted by a black bear that swatted at him.
The man said he fired a shot in the bear’s direction believing he may have hit it and it left the area. The victim’s fiancée called 911, and Johnson County EMS examined the victim documenting very fine scratches to the victim’s lower right arm but he refused medical treatment.
Wildlife officers say they did not locate an injured bear or indication that the bear had been shot but set a trap for precautionary measures.
TWRA reminds residents to take measures to ensure their homes and surrounding areas are free of bear attractants. Learn how to live responsibly with bears and reduce bear-human interactions by visiting BearWise.org.
The incident remains under investigation by TWRA.