Male black bear attack in AZ!!

[BearBiologist]

Note: bear was apparently a male in good health=predatory attack!!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bear-attack-leaves-one-person-164349581.html

 

[arfmel]

Too bad the neighbor with the gun waited to shoot the bear after he was feeding on the victim. Anything like that happens around here I’d hope for a quicker lethal response.

 

[Wvfarrier]

Incredibly unusual for a black bear

 

[any ruger]

Everything I hear of a b,ack bear attack it's unusual su r e has happened frequently CASS Lake M .

 

[Mobuck]

From stories I've read, a black bear attack is more likely to be predatory than otherwise.

 

[Jeepnik]

Ask the experts and black bear/shark/coyote/an other apex predator attacks are rare. Ask the victim of these "rare" attacks and you'll get a completely different answer. What people seem to have completely forgotten is that homosapiens are not apex predators unless we have weapons. We have no claws, pitiful teeth, physically we are very weak and we don't even run very fast. So when man does come in contact with a true apex predator they simply look at us as food.

The experts will, of course, tell me I'm wrong. But here's my challange. Get naked and confront a hungry apex predator and see who eats who.

The experts will tell you that man has two things that make him superior to predators. Opposable thumbs and our brain both of which allow us to use tools. Well opposable thumbs aren't a trait of man alone. And as to our brain, some of our species, folks like little Timmy, don't even seem to have much in that department.

 

[miniman]

wild animals thats what they do.

 

[vito]

If you live somewhere frequented by bears, it just seems sensible to always be armed. But I recoil that the rangers in Sequoia National Park, where bears are everywhere, carry no guns, only bear spray.

 

[tazbigdog]

So sad. We’re in their habitat. Be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared for anything.

 

[BearBiologist]

From stories I've read, a black bear attack is more likely to be predatory than otherwise.

Correct!! Young/prime male black bears! I've discussed why in several other posts (it's evolutionary).

I found a large pile of bear scat while hunting mulies outside of Ten Sleeps, WY. Hired hand told me there were two grizzlies (at least) on the ranch. Makes hunting an "enhanced" experience. Anybody who has hunted elk or deer in grizzly country knows we are not the apex predator. Even with weapons, we are more like a great white shark around orcas!

 

[gramps]

The article gives things to do: like get in a ditch, wear a backpack, fetal position, don’t fight back or make loud noises. In the GSM I was taught by old rangers to attack the bear with your walking stick frequently and often, and if you have a gun use it! Or ya gonna die.
gramps

 

[BearBiologist]

The article gives things to do: like get in a ditch, wear a backpack, fetal position, don’t fight back or make loud noises. In the GSM I was taught by old rangers to attack the bear with your walking stick frequently and often, and if you have a gun use it! Or ya gonna die.
gramps

Most fatal bear attacks are predatory and are by male black bears. If you don't fight, you will become dinner. The things you mention are proper for grizzly attacks where they just want to stop a threat (YOU!!), not get dinner!

 

[3manfan]

Too bad the neighbor with the gun waited to shoot the bear after he was feeding on the victim. Anything like that happens around here I’d hope for a quicker lethal response.

This happened in my neighborhood, about a 1/3 of a mile from my house. We are deep in the forest here, about 7 miles south of the Prescott city limits. This bear had been spotted multiple times in the neighborhood over the last week with several pics & posts on the Next Door site. It had last been run off by a woman, about 20 mins before the killing, who went outside to find out what her dogs in the yard were going nuts over. It was at her fence & she was able to shout it away. It apparently then crossed the road, made it's way up to this victim's campsite & attacked upon finding him sitting at his table as he drank his coffee before beginning his day's work on a cabin he was building. He'd been camping out of his truck recently while doing so. His screams drew the attention of neighbors that have homes next to his property & they attempted to use their screams & a car horn to stop the attack. The bear then dragged the victim off of the property, down an embankment & resumed the attack then began consuming the victim about 75 yards away from the original attack site. One of those neighbors that had been aware of the attack returned home as the victim was dragged away, obtained a rifle & gave chase. He found the bear stopped while it was consuming the victim & he shot & killed the bear.

The victim was alone & out in the open when the sudden attack began. Had he been armed as he should've been since we're in the forest with no lack of various critters about, things might have turned out differently. The neighbor that did kill the bear did so as quickly as he could, so the lethal response you hoped for was rendered as quickly as was practical given the totality of this specific circumstance. Too bad that neighbor wasn't carrying a handgun of an adequate caliber instead of having to go home for a weapon but at least he did eventually take care of business. There are several hundred cabins & homes spread out over many square miles in this unincorporated county area. Many are 'part-timers' that live in Phoenix or other parts of the state that come up here to enjoy the cooler weather & remoteness since we're at the 6200 ft elevation level which varies from block to block due to the varied terrain here.. Few of those people are of the outdoor mindset that is prudent in this remote area. We also have quite a few Commiefornia transplants that have infiltrated the area after selling for a profit there & fleeing to here. I shouldn't need to describe their general attitudes regarding weaponry & the survival mindset. All I can do is protect myself & immediate neighbors by staying armed during my walking hours, as I do.

 

[TestEngineer]

Attacked for no reason while drinking some coffee? That does it! I'm selling my jelly donut lawn chair asap.

 

[Mobuck]

During the summer of 2010, I worked in a campground on the Arkansas River. There were several reports of marauding black bears. The state wildlife control guy gave me a card with his # and said if I felt the danger required action call him immediately after the shot. Fortunately, the only problem animal was a yearling bobcat that prowled around the property owner's wife's car while she was sitting inside and I sent it packing with a couple of airgun pellets.
A few miles up the road from my employer's campground, I was second on the scene of a bear incident that ended in shots being fired. The same wildlife control guy left me to guard the immediate area while he tried to determine if the bear had been wounded. Nothing was found but a couple weeks later, I found fresh bear tracks quite close to the state run tent only camping area where the shooting had occurred. I think that bear was looking for another pic-a-nic basket(or maybe a cooler full of steaks).

 

[tokenringhawk]

I have bear every day multiples 2-4 times they are passing through looking for my blueberries and when the male shows up,,, he is freaking huge-I would guess close to a thousand pounds

If you live somewhere frequented by bears, it just seems sensible to always be armed. But I recoil that the rangers in Sequoia National Park, where bears are everywhere, carry no guns, only bear spray.

I carry every time I go outside... not that a 9mm can do anything but piss them off. They are here every day multiple times and all night. There is a big one that has to be about 1,000 lbs. I really need a 10mm glock

 

[Topfueler1]

When I am up in the mountains of WV and western MD on private land where we have a hunting camp camper I have a .44 Mag. on my side. We have black bears and other wild animals. I have my .44 loaded with my hand loads jacketed solid points for deep penetration. I wished that man would have had a firearm on him to do the job. Sad story may he rest in peace.

 

[Dach Savage]

Most fatal bear attacks are predatory and are by male black bears. If you don't fight, you will become dinner. The things you mention are proper for grizzly attacks where they just want to stop a threat (YOU!!), not get dinner!

The old boy that was attacked DID become dinner. I have spent a fair bit of time in and camped Groom Creek area and definitely seen and avoided bears. Rangers are saying it appears that the animal was in good condition (not starving), sick with rabies etc. The unfortunate cabin builder did not have trash, food or an abundance of attractants etc that would explain the attack. Looks like it was a desensitized bear that happened by, saw the fellow and decided to invite him for breakfast. Killed the guy and drug him off for a nosh. The lefty neighbors that shouted and honked horns probably annoyed him until the intelligent one delivered the breakfast bill with a rifle. Sad, 66 yr old fellow that was building what was probably his dream cabin. This attack is why I always carry my Vaquero 45 Colt with good loads when in the wilderness. And the .357 for the two legged pests.

 

[Dach Savage]

If you live somewhere frequented by bears, it just seems sensible to always be armed. But I recoil that the rangers in Sequoia National Park, where bears are everywhere, carry no guns, only bear spray.

I have heard that the bear spray is mostly considered seasoning.. Rather have a much more solid method of defense.

 

[Dach Savage]

This happened in my neighborhood, about a 1/3 of a mile from my house. We are deep in the forest here, about 7 miles south of the Prescott city limits. This bear had been spotted multiple times in the neighborhood over the last week with several pics & posts on the Next Door site. It had last been run off by a woman, about 20 mins before the killing, who went outside to find out what her dogs in the yard were going nuts over. It was at her fence & she was able to shout it away. It apparently then crossed the road, made it's way up to this victim's campsite & attacked upon finding him sitting at his table as he drank his coffee before beginning his day's work on a cabin he was building. He'd been camping out of his truck recently while doing so. His screams drew the attention of neighbors that have homes next to his property & they attempted to use their screams & a car horn to stop the attack. The bear then dragged the victim off of the property, down an embankment & resumed the attack then began consuming the victim about 75 yards away from the original attack site. One of those neighbors that had been aware of the attack returned home as the victim was dragged away, obtained a rifle & gave chase. He found the bear stopped while it was consuming the victim & he shot & killed the bear.

The victim was alone & out in the open when the sudden attack began. Had he been armed as he should've been since we're in the forest with no lack of various critters about, things might have turned out differently. The neighbor that did kill the bear did so as quickly as he could, so the lethal response you hoped for was rendered as quickly as was practical given the totality of this specific circumstance. Too bad that neighbor wasn't carrying a handgun of an adequate caliber instead of having to go home for a weapon but at least he did eventually take care of business. There are several hundred cabins & homes spread out over many square miles in this unincorporated county area. Many are 'part-timers' that live in Phoenix or other parts of the state that come up here to enjoy the cooler weather & remoteness since we're at the 6200 ft elevation level which varies from block to block due to the varied terrain here.. Few of those people are of the outdoor mindset that is prudent in this remote area. We also have quite a few Commiefornia transplants that have infiltrated the area after selling for a profit there & fleeing to here. I shouldn't need to describe their general attitudes regarding weaponry & the survival mindset. All I can do is protect myself & immediate neighbors by staying armed during my walking hours, as I do.

I don't mean to be "that fellow" but I have been considering property up in that area for some time. Sounds like you are in the area, if you hear of a good deal come up on some acreage please pm me the lead? Hmm, I wonder if the old boy's brother is going to finish the cabin or just sell off the distasteful memory as-is.

 

[tazbigdog]

I spend a decent time in Prescott. I carry bear spray with me. Also spent time in Tetons and Yellowstone, never carried it. Sidearm is there.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Back in the early 2000’s Rugers catalog (a mustard yellow color) told the story of two men who went camping In Arizona and took their new Ruger Vaquero 44-40. During the night a black bear got in the tent and took turns mauling the men. One was seriously mauled but the 44-40 saved the other.

 

[3manfan]

I don't mean to be "that fellow" but I have been considering property up in that area for some time. Sounds like you are in the area, if you hear of a good deal come up on some acreage please pm me the lead? Hmm, I wonder if the old boy's brother is going to finish the cabin or just sell off the distasteful memory as-is.

I'm not the one to ask on what's available, I don't keep up on what's for sale or who's selling. If I were looking I'd just peruse the real estate listings or pick a realtor from one of the established companies. I don't know where you'd be coming from or if you've spent time up here yet but just be aware that the winter's here are fairly severe. I'm at 6300 ft & the lowest this past winter at my place was 11 degrees overnight in early Feb. The winter days don't get out of the 20's & nights are in the teens or below. For months. We didn't get the several feet of snow at once as has been the norm this year (3 1/2 feet in one storm a year ago, power out for 3 days) but we had multiple dumps of inches to 1 or 2 feet at a time. Once it snows, it sits for weeks or a month or more because it stays so cold all day & night so it doesn't melt. It snowed into March this year. If you don't have a good plow you're stuck & having to get to town to work each day would be a nightmare. I'm retired so it doesn't effect me but many in the area that still work have tales of woe of being stuck for days at a time. The neighborhood roads get plowed out here but that varies from year to year on when they'll get to it. Prescott town proper is their priority & we're miles from there, out in the boonies. There's only one main road that leads from town to this area & until that gets plowed, no one can leave & that can take up to a day to happen. It's awesome out here with the serenity of the remote forest but the winter's are problematic if you have to get to work every day. If I still worked I wouldn't live out here, it's too remote.

 

[3manfan]

I'm not the one to ask on what's available, I don't keep up on what's for sale or who's selling. If I were looking I'd just peruse the real estate listings or pick a realtor from one of the established companies. I don't know where you'd be coming from or if you've spent time up here yet but just be aware that the winter's here are fairly severe. I'm at 6300 ft & the lowest this past winter at my place was 11 degrees overnight in early Feb. The winter days don't get out of the 20's & nights are in the teens or below. For months. We didn't get the several feet of snow at once as has been the norm this year (3 1/2 feet in one storm a year ago, power out for 3 days) but we had multiple dumps of inches to 1 or 2 feet at a time. Once it snows, it sits for weeks or a month or more because it stays so cold all day & night so it doesn't melt. It snowed into March this year. If you don't have a good plow you're stuck on your own property & that'll only free up yor driveway & won't help with your street or the other streets to get out of the neighborhood to make it out to the main road (Senator Hwy). Having to get to town to work each day form here would be a nightmare. I'm retired so it doesn't effect me but many in the area that still work have tales of woe of being stuck for days at a time. The neighborhood roads get plowed out here but that varies from year to year on when they'll get to it. Prescott town proper is their priority & we're miles from there, out in the boonies. There's only one main road that leads from town to this area & until that gets plowed, no one can leave & that can take up to a day to happen. It's awesome out here with the serenity of the remote forest but the winter's are problematic if you have to get to work every day. If I still worked I wouldn't live out here, it's too remote.

 

[BearBiologist]

BACK TO THE TOPIC:

Sounds more and more like a predatory attack although the bear is older than the majority of predatory males!

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/bear-attacked-killed-arizona-man-155512053.html

 

[noahmercy]

Just this year, I have found bear scat on my little acre here in Wyoming just a couple miles from town and among a substantial number of ranches and other homes. I won't mow the lawn or do other outdoor chores without having at least a 9mm on me, and a few folks who noticed and asked me why just scoffed at my reply and said I must be mistaking some other crap for bear poo. Well, in the last three weeks, they have had to euthanize two black bears right near me. One of them was a previous relocation, but it came 42 miles back to the area. There was an uptick in "lost pet" postings on FB in the last five or six weeks, and I have to wonder if it was related.

Puts me in the mind of the old chestnut: "It's not paranoia if they're really out to get ya'..."