Yellowstones most famous grizzly killed by an elk hunter
Sep 13, 2017 09:52:14 #
What then is the recommended procedure when you encounter a bear on a trail?
Sep 13, 2017 10:03:47 #
Rich1939 wrote:
What then is the recommended procedure when you encounter a bear on a trail?
The best proceedure is don't do that!
Bears don't like humans. We small bad. We sound bad. We act bad. If the bear is made aware that such a disgusting creature is some distance away it will disappear. At least if it is not surprised and not protecting food.
But you can't bet your life on that either. I prefer a 12 guage shotgun with alternating slugs and double ought buck shot. I've also carried a 30-06 with 220 grain bullets, but that is not as effective.
Sep 13, 2017 10:09:16 #
We smell bad? Like bears we're omnivores but we shower! 
Seriously what do you do ?
We have our problems with black bears who have become less and less wary of humans. Mostly I just stop and let them do what that they do and wait them out. Maybe toss in a prayer or two.
Seriously what do you do ?
We have our problems with black bears who have become less and less wary of humans. Mostly I just stop and let them do what that they do and wait them out. Maybe toss in a prayer or two.
Sep 13, 2017 10:11:24 #
Rich1939 wrote:
We smell bad? Like bears we're omnivores but we shower!
Most of us do. Those in Alaska who don't resort to carrying a shotgun.
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Sep 13, 2017 10:18:18 #
The difference is between "thinking" and knowing. Bears own everything... they know it. Their only consideration is, "Is it worth the effort?" (I'm anthropomorphizing) Like I said, without weapons, humans own next to nothing. And... the defense I referenced, was not of my own.
Off hand, I don't remember a single year when someone, in Alaska, hasn't been attacked or killed by a bear... perhaps there are, but I don't recall...
Off hand, I don't remember a single year when someone, in Alaska, hasn't been attacked or killed by a bear... perhaps there are, but I don't recall...
Apaflo wrote:
Where is the "wrong" part? That is exactly what I said!
I have NEVER needed to kill a bear in defense! That is more than just luck, it is knowing how to avoid confrontation.
I spent over 30 years living with brown bears and occassional black bears, but for the past 20 years exclusively with Polar bears. Note that pretty much anywhere in Alaska is bear country. This year there were two people killed by brown bears in Anchorage on recreation trails.
I have NEVER needed to kill a bear in defense! That is more than just luck, it is knowing how to avoid confrontation.
I spent over 30 years living with brown bears and occassional black bears, but for the past 20 years exclusively with Polar bears. Note that pretty much anywhere in Alaska is bear country. This year there were two people killed by brown bears in Anchorage on recreation trails.
Sep 13, 2017 11:09:21 #
fuminous wrote:
The difference is between "thinking" and knowing. Bears own everything... they know it. ...
That is very clearly untrue. Brown bears, even old big ones, normally try to avoid humans. What the bear does know for sure is that avoidance is in its best interest. When that is not possible (in the bear's mind) things get deadly. For the bear it is you or me at that point.
Brown bears rarely ever eat a human. Being as dumb as Timothy Treadwell will get you eaten though! Right after the end of the salmon run bears are used to being full but can't find food... so they get super aggressive and will eat literally anything, even humans.
Sep 13, 2017 11:32:34 #
Apaflo wrote:
Ya want scary? Argue who gets the trail with a moose! Nasty beasties.
In 1969, while stationed at Ft. Greely, I was on the road from there to Black Rapids where the Northern Warfare Training Center had a ski and mountaineering exercise area, driving a deuce-and-a-half truck, the cab of which is fairly high off the ground; the bull moose that strode onto and stopped in the middle of the road (quite effectively stopping us!) was tall enough to look at us eye-to-eye through the windshield. He stood there for a minute or two, then snorted, turned away and took his time ambling off the road. And of course my camera was miles away back in my footlocker at Greely!
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