Urban Legends and Myths

World Record Grizzly Bear

Netlore Archive: Are emailed pictures of a giant, 1,600-pound, man-eating grizzly bear allegedly killed in Alaska by a hunter or Forest Service employee real or fake?

Description: Viral images & text

Circulating since: Nov. 2001

Status: Partly true

Example #1:

Email contributed by Robyn, Dec. 4, 2001:

Subject: Alaskan Hunting Story (JPEG: Alaskan Bear & Paw)

This bear was killed by an airman from Elmendorf on Hitchenbrook Island. The bear stood 12'6" and estimated over 1600 lbs. The airman was walking to his hunting area and the bear boy stood up only 35 yards away. The bear dropped down and charged straight for the Airman. He unloaded his gun and the bear fell 10 yards from him.

Example #2:

Email contributed by Petra, April 29, 2002:

The following pictures are of a guy who works for the forest service in Alaska. He was out deer hunting. A large world record Griz charged him from about 50 yards away.

The guy unloaded a 7mm Mag Semi-auto into the bear and it dropped a few feet from him. The thing was still alive so he reloaded and capped it in the head. It was over one thousand six hundred pounds, 12'6" high at the shoulder.

It's a world record. The bear had killed a couple of other people. Of course, the game department did not let him keep it.

Think about it. This thing on it's hind legs could walk up to the average single story house and could look on the roof at eye level.

Example #3:

Email contributed by Cindy V., Jan. 24, 2003:

Subject: This is why you don't mess with Grizzly bears

WARNING: This is not a joke and is pretty gross. If you are faint of heart or stomach don't look at grizz.jpg

This is why you don't mess with Grizzly bears! Warning the Grizzly picture is pretty gross, it's what's left of one of his victims!

The following pictures are of a guy who works for the forest Service In Alaska. He was out deer hunting. A large world record Griz charged him from about 50 yards away.

The guy unloaded a 7mm Mag Semi-auto into the bear and it dropped a Few feet from him. The thing was still alive so he reloaded and capped it in The head. It was over one thousand six hundred pounds, 12'6" high at the shoulder. It's a world record. The bear had killed a couple of other people. Of course, the game department did not let him keep it. Think about it. This thing on its hind legs could walk up to the average single story House and could look on the roof at eye level.