GRAPHIC: Woman survives vicious bear attack while on hunting trip with friend

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - An Alaska woman is counting her blessings after surviving a terrifying bear attack while on a hunting trip last month.

Amanda Compton, 44, was hunting deer with her friend, Nicholas Orr, on Admiralty Island, one of the most bear-dense areas in North America.

But the routine trip took a frightening turn when they suddenly found themselves face-to-face with a mother brown bear protecting her cub.

Compton said in a split-second moment the bear charged from the brush, catching her completely off guard.

“It came straight at me, and there was no time to draw a gun,” she said.

The 44-year-old hunter said she dropped to the ground and covered her head, but the bear’s jaws clamped down on her skull.

Somehow, the attack lasted only a few seconds before the bear ran off. It left Compton badly injured, but alive.

“It was so fast that I had to react immediately. I do remember it being on me and chewing on my head,” she said.

Orr added, “If it had lasted a second longer, I would have had to shoot. It was even more scary because I was going to try and not kill her at the same time.”

Despite suffering a deep gash on her head and a puncture wound to her hand, Compton managed to walk back to the boat with Orr and the two then headed to the hospital.

According to Stephen Bethune, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, bear attacks like this are extremely rare. He explained that the bear was likely acting out of defense for her cub, and once she no longer felt threatened, ran away.

Officials determined the attack was an isolated incident and they will let the bear be.

Despite the life-threatening encounter, Compton says it won’t deter her from continuing to do what she loves.

“I absolutely anticipate going back out after recovery,” she said. “It [the attack] should have killed me. So, I think it probably just wants me to keep hunting.”

Compton’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable threats posed by Alaska’s wilderness, even for seasoned hunters.