A 12-year-old boy from Wisconsin is being hailed as a hero after fatally shooting a black bear that was attacking his father during a hunting trip. Owen Beierman, 12, stepped in when the bear pinned down his father, Ryan Beierman, 43, in Siren, Burnett County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“Owen was a hero,” the father told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “He shot that bear and killed it on top of me.”
Attack during legal hunting trip
The incident occurred on September 6 while the pair was on a legal hunting trip near the family’s cabin. The Beiermans had spotted a 200-pound black bear, and Owen initially shot and injured the animal, which ran into nearby forest cover.
As the father and son gave chase, the wounded bear suddenly charged at Ryan Beierman from just 6 feet away. Ryan fired eight shots from his pistol but missed the fast-moving animal. The bear then attacked, biting him on the abdomen, arm, and leg.
“I started pistol-whipping him, but it felt like striking a brick wall,” Ryan recalled. In the midst of the attack, Owen aimed and fired a decisive shot, killing the bear.
“I was flat on my back and could feel the bullet going through the bear,” Ryan said, describing the moment he saw the flash from Owen’s rifle. The quick action of his son likely saved his life.
Injuries and aftermath
Ryan Beierman suffered multiple injuries, including puncture wounds to his arm and legs and a flap of skin torn from his cheek, which required stitches. Despite the trauma, both father and son returned safely to their cabin.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed the incident and emphasized the rarity of bear attacks in the state. According to DNR statistics, there have been only nine reported bear attacks in Wisconsin between 2013 and 2022.
As bear populations grow and human encounters increase, officials advise hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to remain cautious, but this event highlights how swift thinking and bravery can prevent tragedy.