In the dense wilderness of Admiralty Island, Alaska, Amanda Compton, a seasoned hunter, found herself in a life-or-death situation that no amount of experience could prepare her for. According to Anchorage Daily News, Compton, 44, was out hunting black-tailed deer with her friend Nicholas Orr when a brown bear, defending her cub, suddenly charged at her. What followed was a brutal encounter that had the bear’s jaws clamped around Compton’s head, leaving her with serious injuries.
The Immediate Danger

Compton and Orr were walking through thick brush when the bear appeared, as fast as a bolt of lightning. Orr described the experience to Anchorage Daily News, saying it was like stepping on a landmine. One moment everything was quiet, and then, without warning, the bear attacked. With little time to react, Compton followed her instincts, dropping to the ground and covering her head, hoping to protect herself. The bear, in full defense mode, bit down hard on Compton’s skull but, in a stroke of luck, released her after only a few seconds.
A Miraculous Escape

Amazingly, Compton survived the attack. In fact, by the time Orr regained his balance, the bear had already let go of Compton and started retreating. Orr fired a shot to scare the bear off, and only afterward did they notice the cub nearby – a key reason for the bear’s aggression. Despite her injuries, Compton managed to walk back to their boat, and they made the long trip back to Juneau, where she received medical attention.
Injuries That Could Have Been Worse

At Bartlett Regional Hospital, doctors treated Compton for a 6-inch laceration on her skull and a 4-inch gash at the back of her head, along with a puncture wound in her hand. According to Alaska’s News Source, they even removed a small piece of the bear’s tooth that had become lodged in her skull. Despite these serious injuries, she was expected to make a full recovery, an outcome that both Compton and the medical team found extraordinary. It’s worth noting that bear maulings on Admiralty Island are rare, with experts like biologist Stephen Bethune emphasizing that the bear was likely acting defensively to protect its cub.
Why This Case is So Fascinating

What’s truly remarkable about this situation is how close Compton came to losing her life, yet somehow walked away with only superficial damage. As Compton herself expressed to Anchorage Daily News, she couldn’t quite understand how the bear bit her head but managed to avoid any fatal injuries. The randomness of such encounters is striking—one moment can make all the difference between life and death.
An Unlikely Outcome

Biologists like Carl Koch, who visited Compton in the hospital, were also impressed. Koch told Anchorage Daily News that Compton did everything right during the attack. She dropped to the ground, covered herself, and played non-threatening. The bear likely felt its job was done once it perceived Compton was no longer a danger, leading to her quick release. In the world of bear encounters, Koch said, this was one of the better outcomes you could hope for. It’s a testament to the unpredictability of nature and how, even in the most dangerous situations, luck and quick thinking can save a life.
Rare but Real Danger

Though bear attacks on Admiralty Island are uncommon, this incident reminds us that they do happen. Alaska’s News Source reported that the island has one of the highest brown bear densities in North America. Most encounters are defensive, like in Compton’s case, and happen when bears feel threatened. Still, despite the terrifying experience, Compton has said she plans to keep hunting, though she will likely stick to more open areas in the future to avoid another surprise.
A Unique Perspective on Survival

What makes this story even more compelling is Compton’s attitude after the attack. According to Alaska’s News Source, she didn’t have a spiritual awakening or a dramatic moment of gratitude for surviving. Instead, she found it baffling that the bear didn’t do more damage. It’s not every day you hear someone reflect on a near-death experience with such practicality. Perhaps it’s her years of hunting that have given her this perspective, or maybe it’s just the nature of Alaskans – resilient and tough.
10 Essential Tips for Surviving a Bear Encounter

Bear encounters might be rare, but knowing how to react could save your life. Here are 10 vital tips, based on advice from WikiHow, that can help you survive if you ever find yourself face-to-face with a bear.
1. Stay Calm

When you encounter a bear, the worst thing you can do is panic. Take a deep breath and try to keep your cool. Bears typically don’t want to attack humans, and staying calm helps you make better decisions, reducing the chances of provoking the animal.
2. Don’t Run

Even though it might seem like the only option, running is a bad idea. Bears are incredibly fast and running triggers their predatory instincts. Instead, stand tall, keep your eyes on the bear, and slowly back away without making any sudden movements.
3. Make Noise

Bears tend to avoid humans, so making noise can help signal that you’re not prey. Shouting, singing, or banging objects like pots can scare the bear away. The key is to let the bear know you’re human and not a threat.
4. Look Bigger

If the bear is still around, make yourself appear larger to intimidate it. Raise your arms, wave a jacket over your head, or stand on higher ground. A bigger, louder figure is more likely to deter the bear from coming closer.
5. Pick Up Small Children

Children might look like prey to a bear, so it’s important to pick them up immediately. This also makes you look larger and can confuse the bear. Keep them close and make sure they don’t run, which could trigger a chase.
6. Use Bear Spray

Bear spray is your best defense if the bear approaches aggressively. Aim just below the bear’s face and spray in a continuous stream. This will irritate the bear’s eyes and nose, making it retreat. Always carry bear spray when hiking in bear territory.
7. Stand Your Ground if the Bear Charges at You

Bears sometimes perform what’s called a “bluff charge” to test if you’ll run, but don’t give in to that instinct. If a bear charges at you and then stops, it’s usually trying to see how you’ll react. Stand tall, stay calm, and don’t move. This shows the bear you aren’t a threat and that fleeing isn’t on your agenda, which can help convince the bear to back off.
It’s important to remember that bears often make loud noises or stomp their feet as part of these bluff charges. Stay firm and maintain your position, as running may encourage an actual attack.
8. Play Dead for Brown Bears

If you encounter a brown or grizzly bear and it charges, drop to the ground and play dead. Curl into a ball, cover your head with your hands, and lie still. The bear will likely lose interest once it no longer sees you as a threat.
9. Fight Back Against Black Bears

Unlike brown bears, black bears can be more aggressive, and playing dead won’t work. If a black bear attacks, fight back with everything you have. Aim for its eyes or nose, and use rocks, sticks, or any other objects to defend yourself.
10. Move Away Slowly

Once the bear stands still or begins to leave, don’t make any sudden movements. Back away slowly while keeping an eye on the bear, but don’t turn your back or run. Keep your distance, and only relax when you’re completely out of the bear’s sight.
A Cautionary Tale

While this story has a relatively happy ending, it serves as a cautionary tale for anyone venturing into bear country. Compton’s experience highlights just how quickly things can go wrong, even for the most experienced outdoors enthusiasts. Knowing how to react in these situations can make all the difference between surviving an attack and not making it out of the woods at all.

Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.