Montana Man Recovering After Grizzly Bear Attack

Rudy Noorlander, a Navy veteran who recently lost part of his jaw in a grizzly bear attack in Montana, expressed excitement about his upcoming discharge from the hospital during a news conference at the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. Accompanied by his daughter, KateLynn Noorlander-Davis, Noorlander, 61, shared his anticipation for his first root beer float, which he described as tasting "amazing."

Noorlander underwent three surgeries over the course of five weeks at the University of Utah hospital. The attack occurred on September 8 in Custer Gallatin National Forest near Big Sky, Montana, where Noorlander was assisting hunters in locating a wounded deer. Noorlander encountered an adult grizzly bear and attempted to scare it away with a gun, but a larger bear approached him. Unable to fight off the bear, Noorlander's lower jaw was bitten off. The hunters he was assisting scared the animal away and called for help.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Noorlander remained positive throughout his recovery. He used a whiteboard and marker to communicate with reporters at the news conference, as speaking still caused him some discomfort. His surgeon, Dr. Hilary McCrary, stated that Noorlander is expected to make a full recovery, as he continues to regain his ability to eat and speak normally.

Noorlander's family expressed gratitude for the support they received from friends and strangers during this challenging time. His daughter read a letter of thanks from Noorlander, in which he expressed his blessings and appreciation for the kindness he has received. Noorlander also shared his plans to write a book about the attack and even joked about having actor Cole Hauser from the television series “Yellowstone” portray him in a movie adaptation.

Noorlander's family hopes he will be able to return home to Montana on Monday. Despite the traumatic experience, Noorlander remains determined to enjoy the outdoors again. His daughter mentioned his eagerness to go snowmobiling by December.

The attack serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife in the wilderness. Noorlander's story of survival and resilience may serve as an inspiration to others going through similar experiences. Noorlander himself believes that the attack was an answer to his prayers and hopes that sharing his story can potentially help others. As he continues his recovery, Noorlander is grateful for the support of his family and the opportunity to rebuild his life after such a harrowing ordeal.