Knife to carry in Bear country

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. Bears. There are only around forty bear attacks on people each year, and the vast majority are not for predation, but rather out of fear or the desire to protect cubs. Polar bears are the most likely species to predate upon humans. Large males – when nutritionally stressed – will absolutely hunt people in their territory, especially if they are in small groups.

above copied from : https://www.realclearscience.com/bl...mals_are_most_likely_to_prey_upon_humans.html

Even in bear country , I'd be much more concerned about the most dread predator= homo sapiens . :eek:
 
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SomebodySomewhere said:
I’ve seen people run up trails to go see bear cubs. It’s amazing more people aren’t hurt.

Tragic events do occur as you note, but most of them thankfully can be avoided with some common sense.

I think I’m with the folks here who would just carry the bear spray anyway.
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A very close call I had was totally my fault. We flew in to a creek known for trout and bears. It had been raining and was windy. We were walking into the wind along the noisy creek, on quiet/wet grassy ground and by very tall brush. We were not talking or saying ‘hey bear’ like usual when expecting to see some. Suddenly a large sow stood up on the hill, popped her teeth, dropped to all fours and came charging full blast. My thought were ‘well shit- this isn’t going to go well’. I immediately stood in front of my wife with hands up to the sides and tried to calmly yell without shrieking ‘it is ok’. She stopped about 8-10 yards in front of us popping her teeth and swatting the ground. She had 3 cubs in a tree just 15 yards away we did not see prior. We backed off, the cubs came down and we went fishing while they left.
Another reckless encounter we surprised an enormous bear that was resting in a belly-hole dug in some tall reeds. We were sneaking along trying to get photos of another bear on the beach. All of a sudden this huge head pops up out off the reeds staring at my from about 10 feet away. I put may hands up/out and said ‘ I am so sorry’! I tried to not sound scared but very glad I peed prior to hiking! My wife was awesome and never panicked as we backed away. Thankfully the bear was tired from feasting on fall salmon and didn’t consider us a threat.

Btw a belly hole is a big area about 4-6 feet long and wide, and 2-3 feet deep. It is so they can lay on their stomachs comfortably after gorging themselves. If you want to see some hilarious before/after pictures of bears preparing for hibernation, check out fat bears of katmai.

Bears are everywhere up here and for the most part avoid humans. We can’t let respect of animal potential keep us from enjoying the outdoors. Being vigilant, using common sense, being bear-wise with food, etc is something we all should do.
Stay safe.
 
DocJD said:
. Bears. There are only around forty bear attacks on people each year, and the vast majority are not for predation, but rather out of fear or the desire to protect cubs. Polar bears are the most likely species to predate upon humans. Large males – when nutritionally stressed – will absolutely hunt people in their territory, especially if they are in small groups.

above copied from : https://www.realclearscience.com/bl...mals_are_most_likely_to_prey_upon_humans.html
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The polar bear that just killed 2 villagers apparently was not in good heath. An elder buddy from a Northern village shot one last year that was digging into a cabin from underneath it. He sends me photos.
A guy on the north slope was attacked after the bear watched them through the windows, then pounced on the glass to break it and it caught a guy. Another guy had a 12 guage and was able to kill it. Polar bears are scary creatures!
 
SomebodySomewhere said:
Fat bear week is a favorite around here (far from the bears themselves)! We usually tune into some of the cams.

Good lessons in those stories … I know from reading that they’ll often bluff charge to make a point, but I also know I’m going to have a pretty hard time remembering it in that circumstance. Keeping your cool can’t be easy.

Compared to things I’ve seen people do in national parks, you sound anything but reckless. Thankfully most bears have some latitude for us!
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It was a strange encounter with a brown bear that caused me to quit hunting. I was in a skiff watching some bears fish for salmon and one came over very close and just stared at me for a long time. It was a strange feeling and I just lost all desire to hunt after it.

Before we had our cabin, I slept in a tent on our property which is 6 miles from the road, 240 acres bordered by remote state land. I got back from hiking to find my tent shredded. The next day when I returned from hiking they had peed on my pillow and sleeping bag. That was motivation to get the cabin built quick🤣
 
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SomebodySomewhere said:
bluff charge
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Sham charges are common for many species .

Read, many years ago, a book called "Dangerous to Man " by a professional wildlife photographer .

He survived many terrifying sham charges by top predators and other dangerous critters .

He did state that a very few species will routinely hunt humans as their natural prey .

IIRC , Polar bears might have been one of them . I know salt water crocs were on the short list of bad guys .

Dangerous to Man: Definitive Story of Wild Life's Reputed Dangers: Caras, Roger A.: 9780214202292: Amazon.com: Books

Dangerous to Man: Definitive Story of Wild Life's Reputed Dangers [Caras, Roger A.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Dangerous to Man: Definitive Story of Wild Life's Reputed Dangers
www.amazon.com
 
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A friend was bird hunting on the edge of a thorn apple stand. He sat down to light his pipe, dbl. barrel open w/bird shot in the tube in his lap. 2 cubs (black) came out of weeds near him. When he flinched, they went up a tree on the opposite side. Mom, close behind stood up. I don’t remember what he said she did, but a stare down ensued. He froze. Finally she went to all fours, walked away, cubs came down, and followed Mom. He quit hunting for the day.
 
Bigfattyt said:
What about a Big Bear Lovless style subhilt?

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The Big Bear is a nice pattern. Was looking at a Cold Steel Taiwan version a while ago, but comments here made me decide it wouldn't be worth it at the asking price. Then found a Steve Voorhis version in 5160 high carbon spring steel a few days later for less! Tapered tang, soldered guard, red liners, ivory micarta, just as it should be! Bear beware!



 
GmpaJim said:
A friend was bird hunting on the edge of a thorn apple stand. He sat down to light his pipe, dbl. barrel open w/bird shot in the tube in his lap. 2 cubs (black) came out of weeds near him. When he flinched, they went up a tree on the opposite side. Mom, close behind stood up. I don’t remember what he said she did, but a stare down ensued. He froze. Finally she went to all fours, walked away, cubs came down, and followed Mom. He quit hunting for the day.
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Good thing he was wearing his brown pants.
 
This video is a little raunchy so beware if you are sensitive to bad language, but given this is probably the world's greatest authority on wilderness survival, Ron White, I thought I would put this here for reference...
 
GmpaJim said:
Can you buy em that way, or do you have to saddle break your own?
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You can buy them that way, but most find it cost prohibitive. In spite of that, breaking them in on your own is difficult, especially the females. If your male appendage isn't large and/or stout enough, they'll just maul you.
 
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