Prescott, Arizona (3TV/CBS 5) — The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office announced that a Tucson man died Friday morning in an unprovoked bear attack near Prescott.

Stephen Jackson, 66, was drinking coffee in the Groom Creek neighborhood just before 8 a.m. when the black bear began to attack him, according to the sheriff’s office. The bear dragged Jackson 75 feet off the embankment. Deputies said neighbors heard Jackson’s screams and tried to scare the animals away by yelling and honking their car horns. But it wasn’t enough to stop the bear. The animal wouldn’t let go until one of the neighbors grabbed a rifle and shot the bear. When authorities arrived, both Jackson and the bear were found dead.

Investigators said Jackson had built a cabin in a remote wooded area. His out-of-state family was notified. The animal was a male black bear between the ages of 6 and 10, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Yavapai County Sheriff David Rose stressed that while there were zero reports of wildlife being aggressive in the area, the attacks appeared to be “predatory in nature.”

What should I do if I encounter a bear?

The bear attack was not near a campsite, but authorities are urging caution when camping, such as locking food and leaving items that may attract bears unattended. Game and Fish also advises people not to shoot bears unless they pose a threat to you or others.

Robin Moll of the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center says humans often encounter bears for three main reasons. “If you get used to it, starve it, and get caught between mom and baby,” she explained. “Most people think they’re always getting food from trash bins or the public feeding them. But habituation may just be getting closer to bears. is just accustomed to people, so there is no barrier to fear of normal humans.”

A bear’s behavior can also change if it hasn’t eaten for a while, he added. “They are hungry, which means they behave atypically for that animal. I will,” she said.

Signs of an aggressive bear include making noises and tapping the ground with its paws, according to the National Park Service. If you see a bear, aggressive or not, stop and try to make it look as big as possible, Moll said. If you are in an area with a history of bear infestations, purchase bear spray. “It’s used between 25 and 30 yards. Spray it 2-3 times. It’s like pepper spray for us. ‘ explained Moll.

Mohr advises paying attention to your surroundings and not putting yourself in danger. “No touch, no approach, no contact,” she said.

A History of Bear Attacks in Arizona

The state’s last fatal bear attack was at Pine Top in 2011. Lana Hollingsworth, 61A volunteer with the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department, she was attacked by a bear while walking her dog. Media reports at the time said she was attacked by a hungry bear as she was scavenging a trash can 60 meters away. The attack occurred on June 28, and after undergoing seven surgeries, she died on July 25 from injuries including a bacterial infection.

A family in Arizona learned through eyewitness accounts that a bear had been spotted near the site of the attack earlier this week. It’s important to note that bear attacks are extremely rare in Arizona and throughout North America. It was the state’s 15th bear attack and second fatality since 1990, according to records.

What do we know about bears in northern Arizona?

According to Arizona Game and Fish, if you live in black bear country, you’ll often see bears roaming.here is the list feature And the behavior of those who normally live in our state. It’s also against the law to shoot a bear unless it poses an immediate threat to you or others.

• They weigh between 125 and 400 pounds, with males larger than females.
• Approximately 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall when standing on four legs
• roam an area of ​​7 to 15 square miles
• Usually lives up to 25 years in the wild
• most active at dawn and dusk

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