New Jersey Wild Life Attack

miltmaldo

miltmaldo

Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
3,580
In the last month or so there has been a couple of attacks by animals in NJ . One of them resulting in a the death of a young men who died from a bear attack . The other one was a chayote attack . The gentlemen survived because he was hunting for deer and he had something to protect him self .

I know very well where the bear attack happened and at times I will go up north by my self for hicking and fishing . Now I'm a bit afraid of going by my self . About two years ago me and the family went out for a day hike at a state park named Wawayanda . We were advise not to keep hiking as there was a family of bears on the trail . All I had on me was a fixed blade that I keep in my hiking bag .

What do you take to protect your self when going out into a place known to have a population of bears or other type of wild life . I will not go out by my self until I can get some kind of protection . Once I start the hike I will open carry my fixed blade with me . NJ is not a knife friendly state but for now on its open carry when I go in the woods . Gun protection is out . Give me an advise on what to buy .

Here are two links to the story .
http://abcnews.go.com/US/college-student-killed-rare-bear-attack-hiking-nj/story?id=25680953

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/...e_im_really_happy_im_the_last_guy_he_met.html
 
You live in NJ therefore it's illegal to effectively defend yourself from anything. I like a Glock 20 10mm for hiking but I'm across the river. Someone here on BF killed a bear not to long ago with an HI M43 Khukuri. I'd look into one of those as that's probably your best bet blade wise for SD from anything really. I'd get some bear spray too if I were you.
 
+1 for bear spray. A firearm/knife would likely have to kill a bear to stop it, if not uf is going to be more ticked off when it reaches you, never mind the fact that his claws are in essence knifes as well, all be it dull ones but still...

Bear spray is designed to act as a useful way to keep both the bear and more importantly You alive. With their senses being as keen as they are, the capsicum bothers them Much more than us, and if needed you can use it to effectively fend off a human attacker much easier than with mace or standard pepper spray.

One thing to keep in mind is that, god forbid, if tou do have to use bear spray against a human, it is a lot easier to justify in court than you causing a gunshot wound or stabbing.
If you question the use of Bear spray, check this link out:
http://www.slate.com/articles/techn...he_grizzly_history_of_bear_pepper_sprays.html
Tldr: +1 to bear spray
 
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I think a firearm is wise, more for two-legged threats, but animals as well. It's folly to believe animals aren't a threat. They've been killing folks for as long as there's been folks to kill. If your area doesn't allow arms, then spray or a good walking stick is better than finger nails.

I am a little surprised about the Chayote attack. I've eaten them many times and, while not my favorite squash, never felt threatened!
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Sorry, couldn't help myself:D
 
miltmaldo said:
What do you take to protect your self when going out into a place known to have a population of bears or other type of wild life . I will not go out by my self until I can get some kind of protection .
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Yes, wildlife is incredibly dangerous. Wild animals have eaten so many people in the past few months that we're in serious danger of extinction. In fact you shouldn't even go outdoors because the risk of being eaten by wild animals is so great. Practically inevitable. Maybe visit the mall instead?

If you do venture outdoors, against all reasonable advice, I would suggest a good quality camera to defend yourself. And keep it around your neck, not stuffed away in a backpack.

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The bear attack was the first fatality in 150 years in NJ. You're more at risk from lightning strikes, especially if you manage your fear of critters by carrying around a giant lightning rod everywhere you go.
 
It's a bit of drift, since the OP wanted to know about how to protect himself, not whether or not he needed protection, but this seems to be a hot button issue. I've already responded to the OP, but will add a little to the other question. Cautious people tend to prepare for unlikely events. That's why we have an entire subforum on BF about survival skills. Tell the father who used a Spyderco pocket knife to fight off a mountain lion, who was dragging away his young son from a sidewalk at the Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend, that mountain lion attacks are very rare. They're especially rare at hotels! What about the number of mountain bikers knocked off their bikes by lions in California? Or the baby swiped from a stroller (or crib) a few years ago by a bear somewhere in New York or Jersey. If you're the kind of person who believes unlikely things will never happen, good on you! But, people do get attacked by animals. Folks walking down a street can be attacked by a dog who has never hurt anyone else before. Coyotes stalk children at times. Even small animals like foxes attack people. It's weird, but it happens. My hometown had a man killed by a white tailed deer a good while back. Who'd a thunk it? Turns out, a LOT of people get hurt by plain old deer. I prefer to be prepared and fault no one else for feeling the same. As I said earlier, the biggest threat is other people and that is plenty enough reason to be armed, no matter where you are.
 
jdk1 said:
It's a bit of drift, since the OP wanted to know about how to protect himself, not whether or not he needed protection, but this seems to be a hot button issue. I've already responded to the OP, but will add a little to the other question. Cautious people tend to prepare for unlikely events. That's why we have an entire subforum on BF about survival skills. Tell the father who used a Spyderco pocket knife to fight off a mountain lion, who was dragging away his young son from a sidewalk at the Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend, that mountain lion attacks are very rare. They're especially rare at hotels! What about the number of mountain bikers knocked off their bikes by lions in California? Or the baby swiped from a stroller (or crib) a few years ago by a bear somewhere in New York or Jersey. If you're the kind of person who believes unlikely things will never happen, good on you! But, people do get attacked by animals. Folks walking down a street can be attacked by a dog who has never hurt anyone else before. Coyotes stalk children at times. Even small animals like foxes attack people. It's weird, but it happens. My hometown had a man killed by a white tailed deer a good while back. Who'd a thunk it? Turns out, a LOT of people get hurt by plain old deer. I prefer to be prepared and fault no one else for feeling the same. As I said earlier, the biggest threat is other people and that is plenty enough reason to be armed, no matter where you are.
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I hear ya, but when you grow up around the wildlife, you just get more familiar with their behavior and how to deal with em. Only a few places in the US I wouldn't feel to cozy at night in, or South America. I've only come across a few cats here in CA while not hunting actively them, extremely rare. Since 1986, there's only be 14 attacks, 3 of which we're fatal. Not saying it's a picnic, but as aware of how much I'm in their neighborhood, I do my best to plan ahed and not give them a reason to come say hi. Or have a way to deal with them that's practical and doesn't hurt oneself in the process. Everyone's got their own best way, so I can't say "Just do X and you'll be fine". Situational awareness I guess? Not taking unnecessary risks, since I'd like to come back and visit or hunt again.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/lion/attacks.html
 
jdk1 said:
I think a firearm is wise, more for two-legged threats, but animals as well. It's folly to believe animals aren't a threat. They've been killing folks for as long as there's been folks to kill. If your area doesn't allow arms, then spray or a good walking stick is better than finger nails.

I am a little surprised about the Chayote attack. I've eaten them many times and, while not my favorite squash, never felt threatened!
chayote-jpg.jpg


Sorry, couldn't help myself:D
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Ok I fixed it Lol
 
A fixed blade is enough. The knife could be used to fend off potential threats, but is useful for making sharp points on a long stick to be used to make yourself look bigger and to help keep your distance from danger. Don't show any fear to a bear and avoid areas with fresh bear sign. Make noise as you go through the bush to avoid surprising an unsuspecting bear. Remember, most of the time bears and big cats will be more afraid of you than you are of them. Don't let the fear of bears keep you from enjoying the forest.
 
ak585479 said:
You live in NJ therefore it's illegal to effectively defend yourself from anything. I like a Glock 20 10mm for hiking but I'm across the river. Someone here on BF killed a bear not to long ago with an HI M43 Khukuri. I'd look into one of those as that's probably your best bet blade wise for SD from anything really. I'd get some bear spray too if I were you.
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Yup my glock 20 goes in the woods when I do. Nothing says back the F off like a 10mm. But I'm lucky and can open carry in my state almost every where.
 
That woman is a fool and is endagering others by putting this garbage on the internet. I wouldn't recommend going around trying to agitate any animals, much less a large one.
 
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