Dentist survives grizzly attack, accidental shooting

PINEDALE (WNE) — An Evanston dentist is awaiting surgery at the University of Utah Hospital after he shot himself in the leg during a grizzly bear attack over the weekend. 
Dr. Lee Francis, 65, is “otherwise doing well,” according to Dan Oct. 22 Facebook post made by his son, Leader Francis. 
Leeder’s brother, Dr. Josh Francis, also a dentist and owner of Wind River Dental in Pinedale, was elk hunting just east of Bondurant with their father, Lee, just before dusk Friday when the bear attacked.  Lee Francis fired several rounds with his handgun, causing the bear to flee but striking himself in the lower leg, according to Sublette County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Travis Bingham. 
Josh Francis activated his SOS device, slowed the blood flow from his father’s leg wound and, via pack horse, got his father to the Tip Top Search and Rescue team at the Big Twin Creek drainage. Francis was life-flighted to the Salt Lake City hospital. 
Wyoming Game and Fish wardens started a search for the grizzly over the weekend and continued their investigation Monday morning. 
Friday’s conflict marks the second grizzly bear attack in western Wyoming this month. 
 
This story was published on Oct. 25, 2022.