Young Hero from Wisconsin Rescues Father in Harrowing Forest Encounter

Forest path surrounded by lush green trees.

A 12-year-old Wisconsin boy became an unlikely hero when he fatally shot a black bear that was mauling his father during a hunting trip gone wrong.

At a Glance

Owen Beierman, 12, saved his father Ryan from a bear attack during a hunting trip in Wisconsin
The 200-pound bear pinned Ryan to the ground, biting his face and arms
Owen used his hunting rifle to shoot and kill the bear, ending the 45-second attack
Ryan required 23 stitches and treatment for multiple bite wounds
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed the hunt was legal

A Father-Son Hunting Trip Takes a Dangerous Turn

On September 6, what was meant to be a bonding experience between father and son turned into a life-threatening ordeal near Siren, Wisconsin. Ryan Beierman, 43, and his 12-year-old son Owen were on a bear hunting trip when they encountered a 200-pound black bear that would test their courage and quick thinking.

The pair had initially spotted the bear from a tree stand and Owen had wounded it with a shot. Following proper hunting protocol, they waited 20 minutes before beginning their search, enlisting the help of a neighbor’s tracking dog. As they closed in on the wounded animal, the situation rapidly deteriorated.

The Attack Unfolds

Ryan Beierman recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the attack: “We were sort of hung up in a thicket when we heard the dog yelp and sprint past us in retreat. Just then, I stepped into a semi-clearing. I said, ‘There he is, Owen.'”

“He was in a stance like a cat about to pounce,” Beierman told The Minnesota Star Tribune. “The next thing I know, he was on me. He charged and knocked me down.”

The bear, likely acting out of fear and pain from its wound, charged at Ryan from just six feet away. Despite firing eight shots with his pistol, Ryan was unable to stop the bear’s advance. In a desperate attempt to fend off the animal, he resorted to pistol-whipping it, but the bear overpowered him, pinning him to the ground.

A Son’s Heroic Action

As the bear mauled his father, young Owen demonstrated remarkable bravery and presence of mind. With his father’s life in imminent danger, the 12-year-old raised his 350 Legend hunting rifle and took aim at the bear that was on top of his father. Owen’s shot found its mark, killing the bear and ending the terrifying 45-second ordeal.

“Owen was a hero. He shot that bear and killed it on top of me,” said Beierman, who suffered bites to his forehead, arm and leg. He also needed stitches to reattach a flap of skin on his cheek that was ripped during the attack.

Ryan’s injuries were severe but not life-threatening. He required 23 stitches for his cheek wound and had seven puncture wounds and a cut on his right arm. A neighbor helped drive Ryan and Owen to a hospital where Ryan received treatment for his injuries.

A 12-year-old boy has shot and killed a wounded black bear as it was mauling his father near their hunting cabin in the thick western Wisconsin woods. https://t.co/G4Ob61zD7z

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) September 19, 2024

Reflection and Recovery

In the aftermath of the incident, Ryan Beierman expressed both gratitude for his son’s actions and a newfound perspective on bear hunting. “The bear was fighting for its life, and I was fighting for mine,” he reflected. Initially, Ryan had decided to stop bear hunting altogether, but reports suggest he may be reconsidering that decision.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the Beiermans’ hunt was conducted legally. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in hunting large game and the importance of proper safety measures and quick thinking in wilderness situations.

While Owen’s heroic actions have garnered widespread praise, the experience has understandably left an impact on the young hunter. Ryan noted that Owen was shaken after the incident, highlighting the emotional toll such a traumatic event can have on a child.

‘Hero’ son, 12, saves dad being mauled by black bear: ‘He shot that bear and killed it on top of me’ https://t.co/sCagSpmOpw pic.twitter.com/hK6F081ScL

— New York Post (@nypost) September 18, 2024

This extraordinary tale of survival and heroism underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the unbreakable bond between a father and son. It also reignites discussions on wildlife conservation, hunting practices, and the importance of educating young hunters about safety and responsible hunting techniques.