What to do with bears

[Saberman]

My grandfather always said "If your face to face with a Bear, throw scat in it's eye's. You know where the scat comes from. "

In all seriousness, I'm heading up to Alaska tomorrow and will be out camping and fishing between Valdez to Fairbanks. My family and in-laws are used to dealing with bears, they don't f around when it comes to bears. My bother in law's dog save he and his brother while hunting by warning getting in between them and the bear. While outdoors they always have somebody on "overwatch" with a large bore rifle or shotgun (even with the nephew on the back). Also, they do keep an eye out signs and wear bells. Discretion is the better part of valor. I'll be doing what my family does.

 

[Strobengh]

My grandfather always said "If your face to face with a Bear, throw scat in it's eye's. You know where the scat comes from. "

In all seriousness, I'm heading up to Alaska tomorrow and will be out camping and fishing between Valdez to Fairbanks. My family and in-laws are used to dealing with bears, they don't f around when it comes to bears. My bother in law's dog save he and his brother while hunting by warning getting in between them and the bear. While outdoors they always have somebody on "overwatch" with a large bore rifle or shotgun (even with the nephew on the back). Also, they do keep an eye out signs and wear bells. Discretion is the better part of valor. I'll be doing what my family does.

Fishing between Valdez and Fairbanks?

That's like fishing between Florida and New York.

If you are smart, and don't let your guard down, you will be just fine.
Having a look-out while fishing is a FANTASTIC idea!!!
And be careful of the willow clumps, and thickets. I've startled a few bears by not watching where I was going along river banks.

Which rivers are you fishing?
You should get into some pretty good Silver Runs this time of the year.
Last I heard there was still a late King run going on up there.

 

[Saberman]

My dad's already scouted some places. It's an amazing drive. I think the goal is a spot on the copper river, I believe we'll be dip-net fishing. He's already got one king and a few silvers.

 

[boness]

bear spray - works every time

 

[Strobengh]

bear spray - works every time

For bears, and other "annoyances" HIPPIES!!! :thumbup:

 

[hornshwangler]

Make as much noise as possible, make your self big and intimidating, and that should usually work. Don't run or climb a tree because black bears can do both better and faster than you

Based on my own experience with bears, you're spot on with the "make as much noise as possible" comment. I had a very close encounter with a bear about 3 AM in the morning while camping with my son. It was pitch black so I didn't use the "big and intimidating" approach, though I've heard this also works in daylight. Anyway, the bear entered the front compartment of our tent by ripping the front wall with it's claws. The noise awoke both my son and myself. I quickly retrieved a frying pan, flashlight, my Kimber 45, and a Reeve Project I. My son held the flashlight and frying pan while I held the 45 and knife. We waited for probably a couple of minutes (seemed like a lot longer) and we could see the bear pressing on the wall of the compartment we're in. I've never had any stronger feelings of fear in my life, I think having my son there made it more difficult though I was glad to have someone holding the light. I knew that if the bear entered our compartment that I'd probably (instinctively) fire the weapon and follow when empty with the knife. Just before I thought it would rip into our side, I let out the loudest, blood curdling yell I could muster. This accomplished a couple of things. It certainly raised my adrenalin and readiness for whatever would happen next, and immediately scared the bear away. We could hear him dash through a nearby stream and through the woods beyond. We didn't get much sleep the rest of the night and my son had a really good story when asked "what did you do on your vacation".

Dan

 

[Shotgun]

I hope I didn't ruin the joke...lol. Now that I think about it...isn't all sarcasm riddled with truth? I wrote that before my coffee. I shouldn't write anything before my coffee.......ahhh .....coffeeeeee. I love the gut grease man.
Seriously, I would not want to run into a Grizzly at close distance, I am afraid of only 4 animals, and could never meet 3 of them, The Shark, Croc and Hippo are not in my future....I don't go on boats, and will never go on a plane to another continent...I'm weird like that. The Grizz, well, I will go to Alaska someday, to follow in my Grandfathers footsteps...he planned on living up there till he died, he came back and died in the lower 48, I don't think I want to live up there for a long priod, but I do plan on driving up and visiting...so I will see one of those big mean suckers...I know I shouldn't fear them, but respect them instead. Still, they are friggin big! At the local gun store in the town I grew up in, they had one stuffed...I used to stare at it and wonder, what the hell would you do if that guy came after you??
I have already run into 2 black bears, one at close distance and he ran the other way...lucky bastard...I was about to go all Bruce Lee on his ass! I am not afraid of Blackies...I respect them, but I would stab the hell outta one if he was nibbling on my ear...he would probubly win, but this old boy would give it some scars.....or atleast that is the way I pretend it would go down

I am stretching the muscles that lay beneath the layers of fat that have formed in my later years, flexing the biceps that were much bigger years ago, now I am reaching down and scratching my belly, I think I will go and buy a six pack, and get a buzz...then later..I will stroke my knives and then I will flex in front of the mirror. Hear me ROAR!

I put polar bears before grizz. Geebas!

 

[upnorth]

Back in the 60s, my dad was working up in the Queen Charlotte Islands (for Americans and Eastern Canadians, this is like working in the bush in Alaska) and they had a cook who made great pies. He would pick berries growing wild, or sometimes have berries flown in on the planes with the rest of the supplies, and make fresh pies for the guys working there.

Anyway, one day, my dad had to go back to camp early to get something right before lunch. He arrives and there are three or four (I can't remember the story exactly) black bears in the 500-700 pound range eating the pies!

Dad grabs an axe and runs down the first bear, starts to swing, and realizes that all the bears have stopped eating, and are starting to go for him. He climbed a tree without dropping the axe, and poked at them whenever they got close. Eventually, the rest of the guys came back to camp and ran them off with their guns.

Direct quote: "They aren't too scared of a guy with an axe."

Dad was a prospector in remote parts of BC for a long time and he's had plenty of run-ins with bears. I have had a couple, but nothing very exciting. Once I ran up really close to one to get a good photo, and ended up with a great picture of a black furry blur covering 1/2 the shot. Turns out that the bear did not like me running towards it and a bear is also not scared of a guy with a camera. Man, did I hotfoot it back to the truck!

Ya, my old man killed a grizzly that kept creeping around their mining camp, in the Yukon back in the 60's also. He told me that one of the Coleman stoves had punctures through the metal from the bears teeth. He nailed it with a 30-06 and it kept coming with its front legs even with the backs paralyzed, growling/snapping and going insane and it got TOO close to the old man before he finaly killed it. When it was all over my father told me that he grabbed the nearest tree and puked his guts out. It scared him badly. The old man is no slouch with a firearm either as he has killed a lot of moose in his time. He even got one with a bow decades ago. I admittedly fear black bears. Anything that can run faster than me/ is stronger than me/has big claws and fangs and is generally quite willing to kill and eat me is spooky. I carry a Becker Brute specificly because of these bears. I know that the odds are big time in the bears favour but I refuse to be a passive chunk of meat. If I ever get back into firearms again, I'll pack an old beater 30-30 for mr. blackie AND my Becker. To hell with what other think, it feels right to me and it's my butt out there.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I admittedly fear black bears. Anything that can run faster than me/ is stronger than me/has big claws and fangs and is generally quite willing to kill and eat me is spooky. I carry a Becker Brute specificly because of these bears. I know that the odds are big time in the bears favour but I refuse to be a passive chunk of meat. If I ever get back into firearms again, I'll pack an old beater 30-30 for mr. blackie AND my Becker. To hell with what other think, it feels right to me and it's my butt out there.

Aside from the fact that I don't own a Becker Brute (wish I had bought one when they were still available ) it is if you ripped these words out of my mouth. I'm heading out for a few days, canoeing, in a couple of weeks (kidney stones willing) and is usually the case, for a few weeks prior to going, I get deluged with bear stories. This time is no exception. On top of that, apparently there has been an increase in bear incidents up north (where I'm going) because of our drought and also possibly because of the cancelled spring bear hunts.

Someone posted earlier about little black bears. A bunch of years ago, a transport killed a black bear near Kapuskasing, Ontario that weighed 780 pounds, granted, it was an Ontario record, but I'd like to know what the previous poster considers big.

Doc

 

[akennedy73]

On top of that, apparently there has been an increase in bear incidents up north (where I'm going) because of our drought and also possibly because of the cancelled spring bear hunts.

Extra competition for limited food could make those bears more aggressive - be careful out there!

Personally I've never had much problem with bears. The only place I've felt harassed by them was in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. At many of the portage sites you could walk ten or twenty yards into the woods and find the bears' feeding site - a small cleared area of shredded backpacks that had been picked off and raided when other canoers hadn't been sensible enough to guard their packs while portaging. (The temptation is to carry your canoe and leave your backpack and then to come back for it - it's only a quarter mile portage? No bear is going to come along in just a few minutes.... right?) One time I was sitting in the canoe guarding a backpack at a portage site and a bear appeared. I don't think they have very good eyesight since it approached very close. I stood up in the canoe when the bear was just about to climb in it - it was surprised to see me and left.

I think bears are like most animals - generally sensible creatures who behave reasonably. If they attack, they've got a reason - they're starving and need food desperately or they feel threatened (or feel their family is threatened). They're far more likely to bluff charge than actually engage in an attack. Otherwise like most generally sensible creatures, they'll seize an easy opportunity if one presents itself - like an unguarded stash of food. But they're not going to take the risks physical violence entails just to get a candy bar from a hapless camper.

I think sometimes people forget that other animals are inherently rational and make the same calculations of benefit and risk that we do. IMHO you're probably far more likely to meet an irrational human than an irrational animal of another species. I'm not trying to sound all warm and fuzzy about bears - they're potentially dangerous animals and need to be respected. People are attacked and injured every year. But I'd be a lot more concerned if a man wandered into my camp than if a bear did.

 

[Strobengh]

Someone posted earlier about little black bears. A bunch of years ago, a transport killed a black bear near Kapuskasing, Ontario that weighed 780 pounds, granted, it was an Ontario record, but I'd like to know what the previous poster considers big.

Doc

not sure if you were talking about me, but since I mentioned "little" black bears earlier:
I would consider a "little" black bear one of the 150-250 lb black bears found on the east coast of the US.

But, as I said previously, I wouldn't underestimate black bears, even "little" ones.

EDIT: also, a little black bear is what you usually see when you are hunting, looking for a monster to shoot, but that applies to all hunting activities . . . Stupid Murphy's law/Poetic Justice

 

[Helle]

I get up to the Boundary waters a few times a year and have never had a problem with black bear up there.

We hang are food, aid kits, hygiene products, and fishing gear at night and when we leave camp, except for the things we take with.

Last Sept. on grouse opener in Minnesota my Wirehair locked up on point so I got my 20ga. ready and told him to get it. The jerk came out with a black bear, not huge but I'd say around 100lbs.
I crapped my pants, shot my gun in the air and called and grabbed my dog. The bear couldn't get out of there fast enough, dirt flying threw the air as he ran.

I leashed the dog and called it a day. Actually I didn't go out again until all the leaves were down, and the dog now sports a bell.

Love that dog
Helle

 

[Rick Marchand]

I haven't read all the posts, and do not wish to give advice because lots has already been given... some good and some bad. I would like to comment on some of the posts stating that problem bears(not killers, mind you) should be shot because they've been accustomed to people and see them as food providers. That really makes me angry. We are the outsiders. We push them into a little corner of the bush where they'll be "safe" then we proceed to wander in, set up camp with all this great smelling grub and expect the bears to ignore us.

Lets say you were confined to your backyard and homecooked meals... then some uninvited people set up camp in your backyard and order in a pizza. You walk out to investigate and they back up and let you have at it... yummy pizza. The next group comes in with some KFC... This smells good let me take a look... they see you and start throwing pieces of greasy goodness to you... nice people. Finally a group comes in and has some Chinese take out... ooooh! ... lets go see the nice people... next thing you know they are chucking rocks at your head and blowing wistles(that pretty much has no effect to you, whatsoever) you walk in a little closer and one of them hoses you with pepper spray... what the? This little skinbag has the nerve to bring tasty eats into my backyard and whack me with pepper spray when I want some? ..... THWACK!... Don't piss me off. A few hours later the ranger comes by and puts a bullet in your head. Thanks.

For those who subscribe to this solution and still think of themselves as "outdoorsmen" or "nature nuts".... you make me sick, someone should put a bullet in your head to put you out of our misery.

I'm sorry for the rant... I don't usually do this... Think happy thoughts... Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm.......


Rick

 

[johnny reb]

Black bears are very timid, and usually won`t bother you unless you come between a mother and her cub, Keep your food suspended high up (about fifteen feet) in a tree, a little ways away from your camp. Keep a good fire going, and make sure you clean up all food scraps in your camp.

 

[runningboar]

I haven't read all the posts, and do not wish to give advice because lots has already been given... some good and some bad. I would like to comment on some of the posts stating that problem bears(not killers, mind you) should be shot because they've been accustomed to people and see them as food providers. That really makes me angry. We are the outsiders. We push them into a little corner of the bush where they'll be "safe" then we proceed to wander in, set up camp with all this great smelling grub and expect the bears to ignore us.

Lets say you were confined to your backyard and homecooked meals... then some uninvited people set up camp in your backyard and order in a pizza. You walk out to investigate and they back up and let you have at it... yummy pizza. The next group comes in with some KFC... This smells good let me take a look... they see you and start throwing pieces of greasy goodness to you... nice people. Finally a group comes in and has some Chinese take out... ooooh! ... lets go see the nice people... next thing you know they are chucking rocks at your head and blowing wistles(that pretty much has no effect to you, whatsoever) you walk in a little closer and one of them hoses you with pepper spray... what the? This little skinbag has the nerve to bring tasty eats into my backyard and whack me with pepper spray when I want some? ..... THWACK!... Don't piss me off. A few hours later the ranger comes by and puts a bullet in your head. Thanks.

For those who subscribe to this solution and still think of themselves as "outdoorsmen" or "nature nuts".... you make me sick, someone should put a bullet in your head to put you out of our misery.

I'm sorry for the rant... I don't usually do this... Think happy thoughts... Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm.......


Rick

So I should be shot in the head, huh.

Sorry I make you sick, maybe tums will help, problem bears should be shot, I may be the outsider but I am also at the top of the food chain. There are plenty of bears and as long as they don't become dependent on human food, KFC, pizza or anything else they can live a nice long life, if they become a problem it only takes about 35 cents to take care of the problem.

It takes all kinds brother, I love animals and spend as much time as I can around them but I also understand my place in nature, especially after we, humans, have screwed things up as bad as we have. Chris

 

[Codger_64]

Lets say you were confined to your backyard and homecooked meals... then some uninvited people set up camp in your backyard and order in a pizza. You walk out to investigate and they back up and let you have at it... yummy pizza. The next group comes in with some KFC... This smells good let me take a look... they see you and start throwing pieces of greasy goodness to you... nice people. Finally a group comes in and has some Chinese take out... ooooh! ... lets go see the nice people... next thing you know they are chucking rocks at your head and blowing wistles(that pretty much has no effect to you, whatsoever) you walk in a little closer and one of them hoses you with pepper spray... what the? This little skinbag has the nerve to bring tasty eats into my backyard and whack me with pepper spray when I want some? ..... THWACK!... Don't piss me off. A few hours later the ranger comes by and puts a bullet in your head. Thanks.

For those who subscribe to this solution and still think of themselves as "outdoorsmen" or "nature nuts".... you make me sick, someone should put a bullet in your head to put you out of our misery.

I'm sorry for the rant... I don't usually do this... Think happy thoughts... Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm.......


Rick

Interesting philosophy Rick. Very interesting. I've run across a few people whose thought processes run this way. Yes it is true that some people invade an animal's space and then cry foul when the animal reacts. But I've never subscribed to the notion, even in jest, that a wild animal's life or death (or even a pet's) is something to kill PEOPLE over.

Codger

 

[RescueRiley]

Rb I agree at least to some sort, Magnussen I agree to some degree as well, (don't you hate middle of the road people) I agree that in a perfect world problem bears should be understood and left alone, but this is not a perfect world largely because of the overpopulation of the human race in a perfect world where our #'s were proportionate to the proper carrying capacity of the environment I don't think that this would really be a problem,,but unless they start allowing us to shoot problem people, I don't see it getting better anytime soon. in the meantime I got a tiny wife and a little sprout, who mean just about everyting to me, so if a bear comes to close for comfort, all bets are off, if a menacing ownerless dog did the same or for tha matter if a person started poking through back yard regularly and trying to get in through my window to raid my kitchen cabinets, the safety of my family has got to come first. I would react the same...Talk to me after the comet hits, and maybe I'll feel differently, at leat about problem bears.

 

[runningboar]

Very well said RR, I already gave the Cades Cove example and a young girl was seriously mauled. I have a place in western NC that is extremely remote and wild where a bear raided my camp. A hiker was found in the same place off the trail dead and partially consumed, a relocated "park" bear was shot on the scene and the stomach remains were mostly human. Authorities are not sure whether or not the bear killed the hiker before or after he broke his leg. Any wild animal that has no natural predators and has lost it's fear of man, or worse sees man as a source of food should be killed, PERIOD!!!

I don't know about you but this is not what I want to see when I get up to let the dog out.

 

[Rick Marchand]

Well said guys... After reading my post over again, it is a little harsh I am a bit embarrassed ... better left for the Wine & Cheese department I suppose... I could see how I may have offended some.... I apologise. I still feel that most of the problems are directly caused by careless people and it's a shame that the bears pay the price. I do agree that man eaters unfortunately have to be dealt with immediately. I wouldn't allow a bear to harm my family or any of you, for that matter. It just seems that the forests preceed people and deserts soon follow.

Like I said ... I was ranting ... I've had my coffee and stepped off my soapbox.

Rick

 

[Rick Marchand]

For those who subscribe to this solution and still think of themselves as "outdoorsmen" or "nature nuts".... you make me sick, someone should put a bullet in your head to put you out of our misery.

I'm sorry for the rant... I don't usually do this... Think happy thoughts... Ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmm.......


Rick

Uhhgh ya, I can't believe I wrote that:foot::foot:... deepest embarrassment on this side, folks ..... majorly off the deep end.


I don't own a gun if that makes you feel any better...lol.


Rick