Real Survival Stories: Grizzly Bear Attack – Ambushed in the Rockies

Host: John Hopkins
Production: Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Luke Lonergan, Miri Latham, Jacob Booth, Rob Plummer, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Cody Reynolds-Shaw
Music Composed by: Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink
Release Date: January 2, 2025

1. Introduction and Background

Real Survival Stories delves into the harrowing true tale of Jeremy Evans, an experienced Canadian outdoorsman whose passion for hunting and the wilderness leads him into a life-threatening encounter with a grizzly bear in the Alberta Rockies.

Jeremy Evans (05:12):

"My name is Jeremy Evans. I'm an avid outdoorsman. I love to hunt, fish, hike, travel around and run around in the bush like a wild man."

Jeremy has been exploring the Alberta wilderness for over 17 years, developing an intimate knowledge of its landscapes and wildlife. His deep connection to nature drives him not just for the thrill of the hunt but also for the profound peace it brings.

Jeremy Evans (06:19):

"Being out there in the wilderness, it's not about harvesting an animal. It's actually out being there and seeing them."

2. The Hunting Expedition

Determined to fulfill a long-standing ambition, Jeremy embarks on a four-day sheep hunt with the goal of bagging a trophy bighorn ram, a coveted prize among Canadian hunters. The bighorns, known for their impressive horns and resilience, symbolize the ultimate hunting achievement.

Jeremy Evans (07:50):

"And for me that's always been on my bucket list up to this point. I've spent 17 years looking for one. I've found lots of sheep, but never found one big enough or that I thought was legal."

Preparation for the hunt is meticulous. On August 24, 2017, Jeremy departs Calgary in the dead of night, equipped with his mountain bike, a 45-kilogram pack, rifle, and essential survival gear, including bear spray.

Jeremy Evans (08:12):

"2017 was my year to shoot a sheep. I was out there pretty much every day in the summertime."

3. Encounter with the Grizzly Bear

As dawn breaks, Jeremy finally spots the band of sheep he has been tracking. Excitement builds as he anticipates the culmination of his years of effort. Unbeknownst to him, a covert danger lurks nearby.

Jeremy Evans (14:37):

"I started sneaking my way up down the trail and would go, you know, about 10ft and stop 10 minutes and just sneak him way, way along."

While preparing to take his shot, Jeremy catches a glimpse of movement—a small brown shape that signals imminent danger. It’s a grizzly cub, and with it comes the protective mother.

Jeremy Evans (15:49):

"I knew right away I was in danger. It was one of those old crap moments where it'd be like driving a race car and you hit the wall and you're flying through the air."

4. The Attack

Before Jeremy can adequately react, the grizzly mother emerges, charging at him with ferocity. Despite his experience, the bear's aggression overwhelms him, leading to a brutal physical confrontation.

Jeremy Evans (17:36):

"She had the bike on her head and she was tossing it around. And I grabbed my backpack... She shook the bike off and she came kind of charging in."

The bear's attack is relentless, crushing Jeremy's hands and pushing him towards a nearby tree. Desperate to escape, Jeremy attempts to climb a tree—a risky move given the bear's speed and determination.

Jeremy Evans (19:01):

"So I ran about 60 or so feet. Found a tree that was fairly big. So I jumped off the side of the hill into the tree."

Trapped halfway up, the bear rips Jeremy from the branches, leaving him battered and seriously injured on the ground.

5. Struggle for Survival

Pinned beneath the bear, Jeremy is subjected to vicious bites and clawing. Despite the excruciating pain and shock, his survival instincts kick in, driving him to fight back.

Jeremy Evans (21:04):

"I rolled over and onto my back and with my right arm, I was punching her in the face, hitting her nose... trying to poke her eye, grab her ear."

In a critical moment of clarity, Jeremy manages to shove his hand into the bear's mouth, causing the animal to release him. Exhausted and severely wounded, he realizes the gravity of his situation.

Jeremy Evans (25:06):

"I just couldn't move. I couldn’t do anything. You could just hear the sounds and you could just smell her and just. I had no control."

6. Journey to Safety

Determined to survive, Jeremy assesses his injuries and decides to flee, knowing that any pause could reignite the bear's aggression. His journey becomes a grueling trek down treacherous terrain while managing severe wounds and immense pain.

Jeremy Evans (29:09):

"I grabbed my phone and started texting my wife... I knew if they found me, they would see the text message... I just made it, you know, make it 100 yards down the trail, make it to the next tree, the next drainage."

Throughout his ordeal, Jeremy battles both physical pain and psychological trauma, pushing forward with sheer willpower fueled by his desire to return to his family.

7. Rescue and Recovery

After hours of suffering and near-constant threat from the bear, Jeremy finally stumbles upon a nearby outfitter camp. Exhausted and in critical condition, he searches desperately for aid.

Jeremy Evans (34:03):

"I knew I wasn't gonna make it. My goal was just to get to the next trail, get further, because I don't want my wife to have to wait for them to find the body."

Inside the deserted camp, Jeremy leaves a note explaining his dire situation before managing to drive his damaged truck to seek help. His perseverance pays off when rescuers arrive, and he is airlifted to a hospital in Calgary.

Jeremy Evans (40:17):

"I got mauled by a bear... I just need some help."

8. Recovery and Reflections

Jeremy undergoes extensive surgery and spends five weeks in the hospital recovering from severe injuries, including torn ligaments and fractured legs. The physical healing is arduous, but the emotional scars—PTSD and flashbacks—pose an ongoing challenge.

Jeremy Evans (44:20):

"It's a huge achievement just to be able to go back into the woods... I see this as you shouldn't let tragic things deter you from achieving or doing things you love to do."

Through therapy, support from his family, and his undying love for the wilderness, Jeremy overcomes his trauma. His return to the mountains is marked by heightened caution, embodying the resilience and spirit that define his survival story.

Jeremy Evans (44:44):

"When you make many goals like that, you can achieve incredible things."

Conclusion

Jeremy Evans' story is a testament to human resilience and the instinct to survive against overwhelming odds. Real Survival Stories captures not only the physical struggle but also the profound psychological journey of healing and reclaiming one's life after a near-death experience.

Next Episode Preview:

In the following episode, Jeremy’s tale gives way to another harrowing survival story involving Rich and Zach Greenberg's life-threatening ordeal during a family holiday on Kauai. Tune in next time for more extraordinary survival tales on Real Survival Stories.

Noteworthy Quotes:

• Jeremy Evans (15:49):
  "I knew right away I was in danger. It was one of those old crap moments where it'd be like driving a race car and you hit the wall and you're flying through the air."

• Jeremy Evans (21:04):
  "I rolled over and onto my back and with my right arm, I was punching her in the face, hitting her nose... trying to poke her eye, grab her ear."

• Jeremy Evans (44:44):
  "When you make many goals like that, you can achieve incredible things."

This detailed summary encapsulates Jeremy Evans' dramatic encounter with a grizzly bear, highlighting his survival instincts, physical and emotional challenges, and eventual triumph over adversity. Through vivid narration and poignant quotes, Real Survival Stories offers an immersive glimpse into one man's fight for life in the unforgiving Alberta Rockies.