Evanston dentist recovering from bear attack and accidental gunshot wound

Evanston dentist Dr. Lee Francis is recovering from an accidental gunshot wound to the leg that occurred while he was fighting off a grizzly on Friday, Oct. 21. Francis and his son, Pinedale dentist Dr. Josh Francis, were elk hunting in the Rock Creek area in Sublette County when they came upon a bear den with a bear in it. The bear came out of the den and L. Francis drew his gun as soon as the bear started to approach him. L. Francis ended up on his back and continued to shoot at the bear in self-defense. His natural reaction was to kick the bear away from him. It was at this time that L. Francis shot himself in the lower leg. The bullet exited out his ankle.