Surviving a Bear Attack ...

R

redpoint

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Mar 17, 2009
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I'm sure we all heard about that near-fatal bear attack this past Mother's Day, but this article just came out a couple of days ago and I thought I'd post-up the link. I live in an area that's full of Black Bears; they're an allusive creature and despite spending a lot of time in the backcountry, it's extremely rare to see one. The article's title is a bit misleading, only because it's a complete fluke that the guy survived. Anyway, an interesting read none-the-less.

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/adventure-lab/Surviving-a-Black-Bear-Attack.html
 
I suppose he could have had a rifle [I know little about gun laws and they're tighter in Canada]. Black bears aren't generally an issue, but occasionally you read/hear stories like this. A rifle would offer peace of mind and in most circumstances even the noise from a warning shot would be enough of a deterrent. In Aron Ralston's book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" he recounts a super sketchy 24 hr bear stalking in the Tetons.
 
Eddie47 said:
Best thing to do; put your head between your knees and kiss your ass goodbye.
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Well, he was basically at that point. Once he lost a substantial amount of blood, it sounded like he was in a hallucinogenic state and completely at peace with death ... then the car pulled-up.

Coincidentally, despite rarely seeing bears, I came across a huge male black bear tonight when hiking-out after some backcountry skiing. He was about 150 ft away and stood his ground [usually they dart away], he eventually buggered-off. Kind of strange coincidence after posting this thread this morning.
 
I'm up in the interior of Alaska, we have Grizzly and Black bears. Quite a few more Griz in the area over the past few years than we've had in the past. If you're going to be in an area where there are known bears you're a fool not to have a gun, at a minimum a .44 Magnum but even a friggin' 9mm is better than nothing. The .44 is quick to get out and get on target, I've also got a .444 lever action that will do the job quite nicely.

The guy in the story was lucky to be alive. Black bears generally aren't a problem but I tend not to screw around with generalizations.
 
When it does that thing where it stands up on its hind legs with its paws in the air..... kick it in the nuts/vagina.
 
I was always told the best way to survive a bear attack was to throw poop at them. You ask, but where do get the poop? If a bear is chasing/attacking you poop is very easy to find.:p.
 
benthughes said:
Black bears generally aren't a problem but I tend not to screw around with generalizations.
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HAHA!

Grizzlies are a completely different kind of nasty. We have lots of Grizzlies in BC too [not quite like Alaska though], but not in the areas I frequent. I've done some backpacking in Alaska and would have slept a lot better knowing I had a gun at the ready. I know of people who mountain bike in Alaska with .44s under their arms - smart and hilarious at the same time. Hiking along big rivers or riding a bike can be the most dangerous because a bear can't hear you next to a river and mtn bikes are fast and silent.
 
I've had bears try to climb into the old FJ40 with me (only my lightning quick reflexes, and cursing while trying to roll up that hand crank window saved me)! You want to talk about slow motion! Watching that window go up seemed to take forever!

I had a bear try to come in the back of that same 4x4, through the double doors. And then follow the rig at a trot for quite a while as we motored off.

A few miles away from there, I had a black bear come down the dock, and chase me off the end. Luckily, I was already in my swimsuit, and dove under the water, and did not surface till I was under the next dock over. That bear was such a problem, the neighbor shot it with a bow, and killed it. (Though, it was his fault the bear stuck around, and became a nusiance. He had 55 gallon drums filled with food for his Cougar's, and instead of bring them inside his barn, he got permission and shot the bear. What bear is going to move on, once he has knocked over and eaten his fill out of 55 gallon drums of cat food. It's like wining the bear lottery!)

Usually when we are up in that area, one of us has a gun. But when swimming, all I had was harsh words, and a fluffy beach towel! I did not use either, as they seemed a bit underpowered.
 
"I decided to make a run for the road, which was roughly 50 feet or so away. I thought I might have a chance there because the neighbors might show or the cops might come with guns. ... I made it to the road, but nobody was there."

I know it's easy to ref from the comfort of our couches, but... even for a last minute plan, that was a horrible plan. Run away from a bear on an open road because cops might come with guns? You know, instantly... without calling them. They might, you know, just appear and shoot the bear chasing you down at 30MPH before he catches you in the next fifteen seconds.

I don't live in bear country, but if I was moving to bear country, the first thing I'd do is get a big bore rifle with iron sights or a 1X scope, practice a lot with it (well, as much as my shoulder could take), and keep it loaded by the door in my cabin. I'd also have bear spray on my person at all times. Goodness.
 
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