Bear Mauls Hunter A Pennsylvania bear hunter bagged a 320-pound bruin on Nov. 21, opening day of his state’s season, but his prize didn’t come easily. Samuel H. Beauchamp, 47, of Newville shot the bear three times with a .444 Marlin during a drive. Approaching to within 15 feet of the downed black bear, the hunter fired a fourth shot, to the chest. “The bear came alive,” Beauchamp said. “When he came to his feet, I turned to back off, but he covered the distance between us and wrapped his paw around my hip and clawed me.” The bear inflicted bites to the hunter’s thighs, while Beauchamp fought to shake it off. After the second bite, the bear died.