Noted author on bear behavior, Alaskan Larry Kaniut writes that he heard an interesting story; it’s unconfirmed at this time but allegedly was written up in Alaska Magazine at some point.
Kaniut is investigating, in the meantime Kaniut writes, “My friend Jack Gwaltney and I traveled to Wasilla, Alaska to meet with Ken Taylor, Jr., and Jack shared this story. He remembered the story’s source when we reached the Best Western where we were to eat lunch. Jack said that he was pretty sure that ALASKA Magazine carried the story around 1985. I’ve made a little effort to confirm the story at Anchorage’s Loussac Library but as of yet have had no success. In the spring of 2002 I stopped to see Andy Hall at ALASKA Magazine regarding permission to use the story, if located, talked with Jill Shephard who was going to look in 1985 mags for the story. I’ll email Andy to see if they’ve discovered anything yet.”
The story goes like this:
A Nome, AK pilot and his newly wed wife were en route to Anchorage where they would make connections for their honeymoon. The weather turned sour so he touched down in a Cessna 180 or 185 on floats. He taxied to shore where he and his wife looked for a spot to pitch their tent for the night. Having found one, he turned toward the plane to fetch the tent with his wife following him. He heard his wife scream and turned to see a hairy biped running from the location toward the woods with his wife under one arm. The pilot chased after the critter before realizing that he could best stop it with a firearm and returned to the plane to fetch his rifle. He followed, seeing them three times before he lost sight of them. He found a particle of cloth from his wife’s garment.
He either spent the night in his tent and looked the next day or flew on to Anchorage and reported the event to the Alaska State Troopers who began a search but were unable to come up with any positive results. The wife was never found and Jack told me that the pilot was distraught and a “basket case” for years.
Terry W W
Man I would have to go save her no matter if it meant putting my life endanger. It was. unfortunate that his gun wasn’t close by. He lost a lot of time. Those creatures can cover some territory in a short time. I feel for the dude.
lee d
Just kill me if i was the woman!
Jonathan B
I would have lost my mind, see this i the kind of thing that could turn me into a Sasquatch hunting Super Villain lol
Also this is one reason i really dislike the idea of a woman going Sasquatch hunting in order to see one because of her safety!
Milton L
I lived in Nome in 1985 and never heard of this. This story needs basic details like the pilot’s name, the missing person’s name, and a date.
James m
Why that smart hairy basted sure got lucky she never should of screamed that is their mating call that time of year SHE KNEW THAT
1tyme
If true, this story falls in line with David Paulides’ research.
Frankie P
That story would be a treasure even if just a campfire story! Great story.
Ryan S
The part thats weird is how he went and got the gun, then ran back and still managed to see the thing 3 more times? Idk… when do you ever catch up to those things at all???