Bear attacks in Alaska so far this year.

[Bear Paw Jack]

It appears there have been 4 bear attacks in Alaska so far this year, involving 5 victims. One bear got a 2 fer. For what ever reason people can’t get it through their heads, you can’t be too careful. At a minimum you need to have bear spray. Buy at least 2 cans because even the mid size can is only good for 7-9 seconds. People typically buy one can and assume they know what to do. The clip is harder to take off than people think.
Better yet guns are more effective IF you are competent in their use.

 

[contender]

In general,, it seems that bear attacks of all kinds have been slowly rising all across the country.

And yes,, we can only blame the people for it. Disney lovers, eco-freaks etc have been working to re-introduce all kinds of animals in places they used to live w/o accepting the facts of what will happen eventually.
Remove hunting as a control method.
Build gated communities.
Pass laws against hunting or trapping.

Results;
Animals have sanctuaries.
Animals breed & their populations grows.
Animals lose fear of humans.
Animals do what comes naturally, hunt food & defend their young or themselves.
Idiots try & "pet the fluffy Disney animal."

It's everywhere.

 

[thinckley]

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

I totally agree with Contender; it seems that most people regard wild creatures as Disney characters. Then they're totally dumbfounded when the animal reacts normally, and they're mauled or injured. "Gee, Bambi never kicked/gored anyone! I was just trying to pet him!"

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

The woman in Kenai fired warning shots and that is what seemed to trigger the attack... I believe she was still on her deck and the bear came right up and mauled her.
The bear that charged last summer did retreat at a warning shot.... hard to believe how fast and agile those things are.. it turned 180 degrees in mid stride without even slowing down.. it's something you have to see to believe...

 

[RugerForMe]

Crazy how Fast anything happens.
I had a guy tell me he could pull his can of bear spray and hit his target faster that I could pulling a handgun and do the same because of the blast and recoil.
I responded with granted you're going to have a "sort" of shotgun effect with the bear spray as long as the wind is with you,
But I am 100% sure I will not feel the blast or feel the recoil do to a adrenalin rush.

Back in the early 80's hunting bear with my Dad. We had a bear pop out of nowhere ~ 15 yards in front of us on the trail into our blind. It turned to face us did that jaw popping thing and immediately headed at us at a dead run. I would swear I shot it once with my M77 in 30-06. My dad said it sounds like I was shooting a semi-auto, I shot and hit it 4 times only remember once. He rolled up about 8 paces in front of us. Still gives me goose bumps. DNR estimated it at 300# plus live weight.