The gunshot was Thursday; they were gutti g it on Friday.
Bad summer for animal attacks. One dead mountain biker by cougar in Washington; one dead solo hiker in Oregon by cougar; one dead elk hunter by grizz in Wyoming. I’m probably forgetting a few.
I can’t imagine a worse way to go than by being lunch for somebody higher up the food chain.
They are not higher up the food chain. Humans are the pinnicle predator. Bears are omnivores and predators of opportunity. Territorial and agressive when defending what’s theirs, be it cubs or food. It’s pushing fall here in the Rockies. There’s an urgency to put on weight for the winter. Berries, fish, or deer or elk carcasses they don’t give a crap. Cougars are similar though generally not as agressive. I think the cats look at joggers and bikers like a house cat does a Laser pointer. These guys weren’t hunting bears or they would have killed them. The bears WERE hunting food. The hunters got caught in the way.