Patrick Finger of Washington County, Wisconsin, needs new boots. Not because he lost his shoes or because his current boots are worn out. It’s because a 700-pound bear, nicknamed the “Pig Bear” he shot during his first bear hunt attacked him, starting with his boots and working its way up toward his face. Amazingly, Finger survived the attack by the massive bear.

BearTCpic Photo by Dave Proden

The bear was on top of me, clawing at me. Even though he weighed so much, I don’t remember his weight crushing me. I just kept trying to push him away from my face, yelling at [my guide] to shoot the bear… I’m kind of glad I didn’t know how big he really was at the time. I may have reacted differently.

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Photos: Missouri Department of Conservation (top); Dave Proden (above)