So, I go to leave Forlorn Muskeg and the bear grabs me at the tunnel. I'm at 100% health+ at this time.

When I wake up in the bear cave, I'm 50% and he has my spear in the special spot.

When I retrieve the spear, and battle the bear, no matter how fast I hammer the LMB, with both hands duggaduggadugga etc, the bar only goes to about 5%.

The bear grabs my spear and injues me, then runs off. He drops the spear and the fight ends temporarily. When I get the spear again, I'm worse off, and eventually I die after running out of first-aid.

Trapped in this bit, can't get out.