A routine trip to pick blueberries turned into a fight for survival for a 75 year old New Brunswick man. Serge Guitard, a life long fur trapper from Pointe Verte near Bathurst, fought off a charging black bear using only a small pocket knife. According to CBC News, the terrifying encounter left Guitard with more than 80 stitches across his head and body.

A Sudden Fight for Survival

Guitard knows the local forests well. He spent his life tracking animals and navigating the woods. But this encounter caught him off guard. He spotted the bear dangerously close.

“Two seconds later that bear charged me,” Guitard said. “And when he started to hit me and hit me, I squeezed my head very tight on his chest protecting my face.”

The bear bit, scratched, and dragged him across the ground. In the middle of the struggle, Guitard remembered the small knife in his pocket. He pulled it out and struck back.

“I squeezed the knife into his chest,” he said. “And then it was a big silence, nothing, just silence and then he disappeared.”

Expert Advice on Bear Encounters

New Brunswick is home to a large black bear population. Male bears often weigh more than 600 pounds. Lindsay Gauvin, a biologist with the provincial Department of Natural Resources, notes that encounters happen frequently this time of year. Bears constantly look for food. If you surprise them, they become aggressive.

“Sometimes they will do a bluff charge, so they will run towards you to scare you, but then they will just run across the side from you,” Gauvin said.

If a bear makes physical contact, you must fight back.

“Defend yourself with whatever instruments you can find,” she advised. “If you can find rocks to hit the bear, you know, on the head with it. Or if you do have bear spray or a little knife you really want to defend yourself.”

Recovery and Next Steps

Guitard is recovering at home. He considers himself lucky to be alive. The attack reminds him of his mother’s childhood warnings about going into the woods alone.

He plans to keep carrying his knife and will add bear spray to his gear. He also plans to apply for a bear hunting license next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do if a black bear attacks you?

Biologists recommend fighting back with any available instruments. Use rocks, bear spray, or a knife to defend yourself.

Where did the bear attack happen?

The attack occurred in the woods near Pointe Verte, a community outside Bathurst, New Brunswick.

How did the man survive the bear attack?

Serge Guitard survived by protecting his face against the bear’s chest and using a small knife to stab the animal, which caused it to flee.