http://news.yahoo.com/hiker-took-cell-phone-photos-bear-fatal-jersey-191046013.html
too bad the group scattered.
gramps
too bad the group scattered.
gramps
300 lb black bear kills hiker
- Thread starter gramps
- Start date
Cooperhawk
Buckeye
A couple years back we had a black bear here that started attacking campers. Happened more than once and folks were getting quite concerned. Then a bunch of Wardens and Rangers went out camping. They sat around a fire and fried bacon for a few nights, and sure enough in comes this bear. He won't be doing that again.
Still, sitting around a fire cooking bacon and waiting doesn't sound like fun camping. :shock:
Still, sitting around a fire cooking bacon and waiting doesn't sound like fun camping. :shock:
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
City folks just don't understand that hiking/camping in a large forest is not the same as picnicking in a manicured city park. Big wild critters looking for lunch live in the forest/swamp/desert. This is why I always packed a big gun when heading into the wilds of Western Washington (Cascades and Olympic Peninsula) or other states to do a little fishing, mushroom hunting, or anything else.
Ya know, there's always discussion about protection from bears. More often than not, the tree-hugging-hiking crowd insists that bears are their friends, and there's no need to even think of protecting ones self. And this discussion also applies to cats. There's a public service spot narrated by a British accented person that I see quite a bit telling us that if a mountain lion attacks you, make yourself look big.
Well...I have spent a lot of time in the mountains. I've seen lots of bears, and I'm sure many more have seen me. Fortunately for me, they've always decided to go the other way. But they don't always go the other way immediately. Sometimes they think about it for a while, as if they're sizing me up. And then once in a while we read reports where a bear has done the unthinkable, and actually attacked a human.
I know the odds of a bear eating me are very slim, but very slim still means it could happen. I just cannot imagine spending any time in the mountains or woods without some kind of lethal protection within reach of my hand.
WAYNO.
Well...I have spent a lot of time in the mountains. I've seen lots of bears, and I'm sure many more have seen me. Fortunately for me, they've always decided to go the other way. But they don't always go the other way immediately. Sometimes they think about it for a while, as if they're sizing me up. And then once in a while we read reports where a bear has done the unthinkable, and actually attacked a human.
I know the odds of a bear eating me are very slim, but very slim still means it could happen. I just cannot imagine spending any time in the mountains or woods without some kind of lethal protection within reach of my hand.
WAYNO.
ronto
Hunter
Black Bears attack for 2 reasons: protect their cubs or food. Not a good idea to carry unopened food or prepare food in Black Bear country. Whereas Brown Bears attack for the above reasons PLUS if you just happen to be in their territory. Polar Bears attack for the main reason that YOU ARE FOOD.
Bull Barrel
Hunter
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Black bears....you guys are racists! :-P
blackhawknj
Buckeye
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
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- 1,945
Go hiking in woods, meet wild animals.... ? I wish people would have a greater sense of realism.
Hmm, another all too common "rare" bear attack. I wonder how many of these rare events occurred this year.
H.H. Hipshot
Single-Sixer
You misunderstood the meaning of "rare". The bears like their meat "rare".
As for "common", the bears really do prefer the elite vegetarians, rather than the "common" rednecks.
HHH
As for "common", the bears really do prefer the elite vegetarians, rather than the "common" rednecks.
HHH
contender
Ruger Guru
:D :D
"Black Bears attack for 2 reasons: protect their cubs or food."
Not always true.. a large male killed a six-year-old girl died after being attacked by a black bear in the Cherokee National Forest.
Her mother and two-year-old brother were also mauled at Chilhowee campground below Benton Falls on Chilhowee Mountain in Polk County, Tennessee.
Not always true.. a large male killed a six-year-old girl died after being attacked by a black bear in the Cherokee National Forest.
Her mother and two-year-old brother were also mauled at Chilhowee campground below Benton Falls on Chilhowee Mountain in Polk County, Tennessee.
I'm sure there are more than 2 reasons black bears attack. If it's me in the laurel or streamside brush getting woofed and huffed at, the reason isn't really that important at the moment. I really don't care if the bear has a "good reason" either. The media types and armchair types always want to ask why.. It is good to know, to avoid critter trouble in the first place. It's also wise to understand that you can do everything right and still have bear trouble. This is why I pack more than a whistle, or bells, and don't wander around yelling "Hey bear !", and annoying everything, furbrearing or not. You folks in Montana and Alaska, do what ya gotta do, I understand. I've been in the 'Bob and Yellowstone backcountry, and we were tripping over grizzlies. The deer were less dense and more skittish than here in Ohio, and now you have wolves. Sigh.
Number9 said:
His posting was over simplified IMO. There aren't a lot of them but black bears and occasionally brown bears have a predatory side and all they need is an opening or opportunity. When they get it they will come. Frankly black bears SHOULD run when they see people. Many have lost their fear of man. I've been around a lot of Polar Bears and they are mysterious but have never had a problem. Grizzlies while they can become predatory, and I have heard of cases, basically are more territorial which includes cubs and food. The touchy thing as that can be a very large area at times. At other times not so much.
H.H. Hipshot said:
That explains Treadwell. Maybe the bears were hoping he'd fatten up but finally gave up and just had lunch.
blackhawknj said:
Hey, we've already removed most of the elements of natural selection, do you want to allow these type of folks to breed?
One thing folks seem to forget. We are only the apex predator because of out ability to use tools. Elsewise, we are way down the list.
Our brain and opposable thumb combined to allow use to make and use tools. Without them we are prey. So if folks wander around the woods where there are naturally endowed (teeth and claws) apex predators they should expect to be food.
I know that as "civilized" humans we are supposed to show empathy. But when stupid people do stupid things, I have a hard time feeling sorry for them.
Our brain and opposable thumb combined to allow use to make and use tools. Without them we are prey. So if folks wander around the woods where there are naturally endowed (teeth and claws) apex predators they should expect to be food.
I know that as "civilized" humans we are supposed to show empathy. But when stupid people do stupid things, I have a hard time feeling sorry for them.
Ruger45
Blackhawk
I just wonder if the bear thought the hiker would taste better with ketchup. :twisted:Jeepnik said:
OP
Nah, me thinks honey! :)Ruger45 said:
gramps
Critch
Single-Sixer
I think that as we have more humans on the planet, the more the animals are used to us and less afraid of us...Bears thrive because of humans,,we leave lots of stuff for them to eat..the same with deer and coyotes...
Ruger45
Blackhawk
What he said LOL :D :D :D :D
When you put a bear that has lost it's fear of man together with a man that doesn't fear bears...bad things happen. Non-hunters and anti-gun types forget, that fear of man thingy many critters have was instilled in them by hunters with weapons that eat meat. They owe us for being able to wander down paths amongst nature in her finest. I'm just trying to make the world safer for homo-studipous.
contender
Ruger Guru
"I'm just trying to make the world safer for homo-studipous."
:D :D :D
I love that line. I'm gonna steal it & use it with your permission!
:D :D :D
I love that line. I'm gonna steal it & use it with your permission!
Jeepnik said:
A lot. I suspect we'll hear the other kids say they don't blame the bears because the bear was just doing what bears do. City folks just aren't really in touch with nature like they think they are. Wayno has the right answer. If you go out to where the bears are be prepared to deal with bears. That's especially true in New Jersey. They have a lot of bear incidents there as compared to a lot of states. Bears have no respect for the peeps. :) I hope they bring a gun the next time or at least they should be smart enough to bring bear spray. Course black bears will be back pretty quickly after they are sprayed if they are in predatory mode. The instructions don't say to go your car ASAP if you have to spray a bear. So they probably won't know.
