Bear forces backpackers to defend themselves for entire night, AR officials say

After two people were believed to have been killed by bears within a month in Arkansas, two others narrowly survived their own attack, officials say.

Two backpackers camping at Salt Fork Creek survived a bear attack during the weekend of Oct. 4, according to the Ozark Highlands Trail Association. Salt Fork Creek is within the Ozark National Forest in Franklin County.

The association said the campers “had to defend themselves the entire night against an aggressive black bear.”

“The bear kept harassing them,” Chris Adams, maintenance coordinator with the OHTA, told KFSM. “They tried to defend themselves. They threw rocks, sticks ... this went on for six hours. They were harassed or stalked for six hours. And then finally, in the morning, they walked up to White Rock Mountain and were able to talk to the caretakers up there.”

The attack follows a string of recent bear maulings in Arkansas.

On Sept. 3, also in Franklin County, 72-year-old Vernon Patton was attacked by a black bear in front of his son, McClatchy News reported. He died less than two weeks later.

Officials said the bear involved in Patton’s killing was later killed.

It was believed to be the first bear attack in Arkansas in more than 25 years, officials told McClatchy News.

But on Oct. 5 in Sam’s Throne Campground in Newton County, another man was believed to have been mauled to death by a bear, McClatchy News reported. Days earlier, the 60-year-old man had sent pictures to his family of a bear in his campsite.

The “dangerous” juvenile bear was located and killed days later, Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said.

“They, for whatever reason, had been very aggressive lately,” Adams told KFSM after the most recent attack.

Franklin County is about a 70-mile drive southeast of Fayetteville.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Bear forces backpackers to defend themselves for entire night, AR officials say."