An 82-year-old hunter was “mauled” by a bobcat after it mistook him for a turkey – and he almost lost his eyesight.
Claude Strother decided to go out one last time before the turkey hunting year ended.
But then, he was attacked from behind while sitting between two trees.
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The 82-year-old thought someone had hit him with a baseball bat – until he turned around and saw a bobcat, reports Need To Know.
Claude Strother after the attack. (Picture: Jam Press)
It seems it had mistaken Claude for a turkey after the calls he had made and because of the way his body was hidden.
He recalls the animal knocking him back and forth before running off.
Most of Claude’s injuries were sustained to his head and face, right above his eyes.
Luckily, the animal’s claws missed the pensioner’s eyes within a few inches.
According to local reports, though, he was out hunting again the next morning after seeing the doctor as he wasn’t going to let the frightening ordeal stop him.
It’s believed the attack was the first he’d ever experienced in nearly fifty years as a hunter.
His daughter, DeAnn, said: “He is currently battling stage four cancer and is feeling really bad, but loves nothing more than being in the woods.
“Mum was out of town, so he headed to our hunting land to scour for an hour on the morning this happened.
Claude Strother after the attack. (Picture: Jam Press)
“He said his first thought was someone hit him with a baseball bat and was trying to kill him.
“But when the bobcat realised he wasn’t small prey, he kicked off of him and ran away.
“He takes his turkey hunting seriously and is a good man.”
The incident happened on 18 April in Wilcox County, Georgia, US.
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