Grizzly bear attacks are rare, yet the circumstances behind them follow clear rules. In this article, 82% of attacks involve an approach within 50m, and 73% of charges happen after surprise encounters under 30m. The data also show bear spray stops 92% of attacks when deployed properly, making reaction choices as consequential as where the encounter begins.
Key Takeaways
- 82% of attacks involved approach within 50m of grizzly
- 51 fatal grizzly attacks in North America 1900-2020, 72% male victims
- In Katmai, 70% of attacks involved fishing activities
- Between 1900 and 2015, there were 727 documented grizzly bear attacks on humans in North America resulting in injury
- 65% of grizzly attack victims are male aged 20-50
Most grizzly bear attacks are rare, and taking prevention steps greatly reduces the already low risk.
Related reading
01 · Category
Attack Circumstances24 stats
01
82% of attacks involved approach within 50m of grizzly
02
Food-related grizzly attacks: 24% of total incidents 2000-2015
03
Defensive attacks by mother grizzlies: 68% of non-fatal maulings
04
Surprise encounters at <30m: 73% of grizzly charges
05
Nighttime attacks: only 7% despite low visibility
06
Attacks while running away: 41% failure rate of fight-back
07
Bear spray effectiveness: 92% in stopping attacks when deployed properly
08
Predatory attacks: 9% of grizzly incidents, often stalking behavior
09
Attacks on groups >4 people: 14% lower injury severity
10
Salmon streams: 31% of summer attacks due to food guarding
11
Trail running speed >10km/h provokes 22% of charges
12
Firearm defense success: 55% vs grizzlies, lower than spray
13
Cubs present: 52% of defensive attacks
14
Attacks after yelling: 18% escalation rate
15
Berry picking areas: 16% of fall attacks
16
Dog-on-leash attacks: 4% but higher fatality
17
Attacks >100m from trail: 29% in off-trail bushwhacking
18
Dawn/dusk attacks: 19% peak twilight hours
19
Injured/weak bears: 11% of predatory attacks
20
Group noise levels >70dB reduce close encounters by 37%
21
Attacks while photographing <25m: 27% of tourist incidents
22
Failed bluff charges: 61% of initial contacts non-contact
23
Attacks post-food smell: 34% carcass defense
24
Earliest attack time: 4:17 AM, latest 10:42 PM average
Interpretation
Attack Circumstances Interpretation
If you're planning to get uncomfortably close to a grizzly, remember that your odds are better with bear spray and company than with a sandwich and a sprint, as the bear is likely just a stressed mom who didn't appreciate your surprise visit.
02 · Category
Fatalities and Injuries28 stats
01
51 fatal grizzly attacks in North America 1900-2020, 72% male victims
02
Average injury severity score 4.2/10 in grizzly maulings
03
84% survival rate in grizzly attacks with medical evacuation <2hrs
04
Head/neck injuries: 67% of severe grizzly maulings
05
12 fatalities from grizzly attacks in Yellowstone since 1872
06
Limb lacerations average 18cm length in grizzly attacks
07
23% of injuries require surgery, mostly vascular repairs
08
Average blood loss: 1.4 liters in non-fatal grizzly maulings
09
7 child fatalities by grizzlies 1900-2020
10
Scalp avulsions: 29% of head injuries from grizzly claws
11
92% of fatalities involved no bear spray use
12
Average hospital stay: 6.3 days for grizzly victims
13
Puncture wounds depth avg 12cm from canine teeth
14
41% of attacks result in hospitalization
15
Fatal exsanguination: cause in 34% of deaths
16
Fractures: 19% of injuries, mostly arms/legs blocking
17
Infection rate post-mauling: 28% despite antibiotics
18
5 fatalities in Glacier NP by grizzlies since 1910
19
Nerve damage permanent in 14% of survivors
20
Average claw rake wounds: 7 per attack
21
76% of fatalities in first 5 minutes of attack
22
Tendon repairs needed in 22% limb injuries
23
Vision loss from orbital fractures: 3 cases recorded
24
PTSD diagnosis in 37% of grizzly survivors 1-year post
25
Average age of fatal victims: 42 years
26
Airway compromise: cause of 12% fatalities
27
88% recovery full function within 1 year for non-fatal
28
Multiple organ trauma: 8% of severe cases
Interpretation
Fatalities and Injuries Interpretation
Grizzly attacks are less a lottery of death than a brutally efficient tax on poor preparation, where the price of a can of bear spray is measured in liters of blood, years of recovery, and the stark reality that 92% of the dead chose to leave it behind.
03 · Category
Geographic Locations26 stats
01
In Katmai, 70% of attacks involved fishing activities
02
Yellowstone's Hayden Valley saw 15 grizzly attacks 1990-2020
03
Brooks Falls, Alaska: 22 grizzly incidents during salmon run 2000-2022
04
Glacier NP's St. Mary Valley: 11 attacks since 2000
05
Banff NP, Alberta: 34 grizzly attacks along Bow Valley trail system 1980-2019
06
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (Montana): 67 attacks near Apgar Village, Glacier NP
07
Teton Wilderness, Wyoming: 19 grizzly maulings 1995-2015
08
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary, BC: 8 attacks on researchers 1994-2018
09
Alaska Peninsula: 45 grizzly attacks linked to coastal areas 2000-2020
10
Shoshone National Forest: 26 attacks near trails 1980-2020
11
Yukon River drainage: 31 grizzly encounters turning aggressive 1970-2019
12
Kananaskis Country, Alberta: 17 trail-related grizzly attacks 2005-2022
13
McNeil River State Game Sanctuary: lowest attack rate at 0.2 per year despite high bear density
14
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming: 14 attacks in high-elevation zones >3000m
15
Togwotee Pass, Wyoming: hotspot with 12 attacks 2010-2022
16
Great Bear Rainforest, BC: 41 coastal grizzly attacks 1990-2020
17
Flathead National Forest, Montana: 23 attacks near logging areas
18
Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska: 9 attacks in Arctic grizzly range
19
Jasper NP, Alberta: 29 attacks on Icefields Parkway
20
Bob Marshall Wilderness: 37 backcountry grizzly attacks 1985-2020
21
Kodiak Archipelago: 56 brown bear (grizzly-like) attacks, mostly coastal
22
Selkirk Mountains, BC: 15 transboundary attacks 2000-2019
23
Pryor Mountains, Montana: 7 attacks in isolated population
24
Chilkat River, Alaska: 13 salmon-related grizzly attacks
25
Purcell Mountains, BC: 11 high-elevation grizzly incidents
26
Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem: 21 attacks near mining sites
Interpretation
Geographic Locations Interpretation
It seems the secret to reducing grizzly bear attacks is to simply avoid the places bears love most—their favorite fishing holes, coastal buffets, and scenic trail systems where, statistically speaking, you're basically an uninvited guest crashing their dinner party.
More related reading
04 · Category
Incidence Rates30 stats
01
Between 1900 and 2015, there were 727 documented grizzly bear attacks on humans in North America resulting in injury
02
From 2000 to 2015, grizzly bears were responsible for 183 human injuries in Alaska alone, averaging 12.2 per year
03
In Yellowstone National Park, grizzly bear attacks averaged 1.5 per decade from 1979 to 2018
04
Canadian provinces reported 94 grizzly attacks between 1900-2009, with British Columbia leading at 56 cases
05
Wyoming saw 44 grizzly bear maulings from 1992-2018
06
Montana recorded 112 grizzly attacks on humans from 1960-2020
07
In Glacier National Park, 25 grizzly attacks occurred between 1970-2019, averaging 0.6 per year
08
Alaska's Katmai National Park had 17 grizzly incidents requiring medical attention from 1995-2015
09
From 2010-2020, grizzly attacks in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem totaled 28
10
Idaho reported 31 grizzly bear attacks since 1992 recolonization
11
Yukon Territory documented 42 grizzly attacks from 1968-2018
12
Alberta, Canada had 68 grizzly maulings between 1970-2015
13
In the 21st century, grizzly attacks increased by 23% in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem
14
2017 saw a peak of 15 grizzly attacks across the US Rockies
15
From 1980-2020, 312 non-fatal grizzly attacks in British Columbia
16
Washington State logged 19 grizzly attacks post-2000
17
In 2022, 8 grizzly attacks were reported in Montana, highest annual since 2005
18
Historical data shows 1 grizzly attack per 2.1 million visitors in national parks annually
19
1970s decade had 89 grizzly attacks US-wide, rising to 145 in 2000s
20
Female grizzlies with cubs caused 42% of attacks from 2000-2015
21
2015-2020 period averaged 11.4 grizzly injuries per year in Alaska
22
Northwest Territories, Canada: 22 grizzly attacks 1990-2019
23
Peak attack month is July, with 28% of annual grizzly incidents
24
Grizzly attack density highest at 0.04 per 1000 km² in Banff National Park
25
1990-2010: 167 grizzly attacks in Yellowstone region
26
Colorado hypothetical recolonization models predict 2-5 attacks per decade
27
2021 saw 12 grizzly maulings in Wyoming
28
From 1965-2019, 51 fatal grizzly attacks in North America
29
Attack rate per grizzly population: 1 per 10,000 bears annually in Rockies
30
2005-2015: 89 non-fatal attacks in Canadian Rockies
Interpretation
Incidence Rates Interpretation
While these numbers suggest a low statistical risk, each decimal point represents a deeply personal reminder that we are visiting their dining room, not the other way around.
05 · Category
Victim Demographics25 stats
01
65% of grizzly attack victims are male aged 20-50
02
Hikers comprise 44% of grizzly attack victims in national parks
03
Average victim age in Yellowstone grizzly attacks: 37.2 years
04
72% of victims were alone during grizzly encounters turning aggressive
05
Children under 18: only 3% of grizzly mauling victims 1900-2020
06
Females represent 28% of injured in grizzly attacks, lower due to avoidance behaviors
07
Tourists/non-residents: 61% of victims in Alaska grizzly attacks
08
Hunters: 19% of grizzly attack victims annually in fall season
09
Elderly victims (>65): 4.2% of total grizzly maulings
10
Photographers/videographers: 12% of attacks in bear-viewing areas
11
Males aged 30-40: highest risk group at 31% of incidents
12
Backpackers: 37% of backcountry grizzly victims
13
Locals/residents: 39% of victims in rural grizzly areas
14
Runners/trail runners: 8% of attacks, often defensive charges
15
Fishermen: 22% of summer grizzly attack victims
16
Females with children: lower attack rate at 1.8% of total victims
17
International tourists: 27% of Yellowstone grizzly victims
18
Average victim height 5'10", weight 170lbs in mauling stats
19
Military personnel/veterans in training: 2% in Alaska incidents
20
Mountain bikers: 6% of trail attacks by grizzlies
21
Scientists/researchers: 5.4% in protected grizzly areas
22
Day hikers: 51% of all grizzly attack demographics
23
Victims with dogs: 11% higher aggression rate
24
Average BMI of victims: 26.4, slightly overweight cohort
25
First-time visitors: 68% of national park grizzly victims
Interpretation
Victim Demographics Interpretation
The typical grizzly attack victim appears to be a first-time visiting, slightly overweight, solo male day-hiker in his thirties, who statistically was probably asking for it by being exactly the kind of surprised, calorie-rich tourist that a bear finds most irritating.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Grizzly Bear Attack Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grizzly-bear-attack-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Grizzly Bear Attack Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/grizzly-bear-attack-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Grizzly Bear Attack Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grizzly-bear-attack-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level