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But the
surprise came as I stopped to eat a sandwich. Parked on the
side of the road, under a tree. sitting on my truck bumper,
I looked up and no more than 40 yards away a smallish (100lb?)
bear came down the side of the hill, crossed the road, jumped
the guard rail, stopped and turned to look at me, then went
down to the river, jumped in, swam across with ease, and rambled
up the hill on the other side.
The bear
I encountered today was small. Further it saw me, (I guess
I was upwind), seemed to acknowledge my presence, and just
continued on its way at a leisurely pace. Certainly there
was no fear on its part -- even though I was bigger than him.
But I was lucky that this bear had its own agenda that did
not include me.
Alaskan Browns and Grizzles
The only other bear experience I have was in Alaska a couple
of years ago in the Bristol Bay drainage. We had done a combined
fly & boat-in and were shore fishing a remote river outlet.
After an hour or so, our guide told us that he thought it
would be a good idea if we all got in the boat.....
About
30 seconds later a big brown and two cubs showed up. We were
less than 30 yards away in the river and got a first rate
fishing lesson. The mother bear stood on the same rock I had
been standing on only a few moments before and proceeded to
swipe her long arm into the pool and catch multiple Reds over
a 15-20 minute period. With each, she took a bite and then
handed them off to the cubs (200lbs +). After awhile she moved
on and dutifully, the cubs followed. We went back to our fishing
on "their" rock and had a banner day.
The next
day, we had a similar encounter further down river except
the guide was far more animated with his assertion that we
get in the boat "NOW!" Sure enough, shortly after,
a gnarly, rangy looking, black bear showed up. Seeing us,
he charged into the river, bared his teeth, and growled. He
stopped short of swimming to us but there was little doubt
in our minds that if given the slightest chance, we would
have been his next mea!
The guide
told us all that the blacks are far less predictable and more
aggressive than the browns. Mostly if you keep your distance
and dont threaten them, the browns seem to keep to themselves.
The black bears however have been known to stalk people just
like any other prey.
I have
always looked forward to fishing Kodiak Island. However, Im
not sure if Im ready to have nothing but a 100-200 yards between
a big brown and me on a river. The pics of guys fishing with
a bear just up the way seem a bit much. I dont know if I could
relax and enjoy the fishing knowing that my life could be
in peril in only a few seconds.
If you
are traveling to Alaska and expect to spend time in the wilderness,
I strongly recommend that you read all you can about brown
bears and what to do if you encounter one.
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| Black
Bears
Some basic facts about our common black bear Ursus Americanus
show us that it is one of the more common wild animals
in North America. Some estimate that there are more
than 75,000 black bears in Washington, Oregon, and northern
California.
Black
bears range in color from black to cinnamon, often with
a white blaze on the chest. Males are much larger than
females. On average, a black bear is about 3-1/2-4 feet
tall (standing on all four feet) and weighs about 275
pounds, but some males can be 6 feet long and weigh
over 500 pounds.
Black bears are strong swimmers and tree climbers.
Although
they have a clumsy walk, they are surprisingly fast
sprinters, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour,
(that’s MUCH faster than either you or I can run!) |
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Tree climbing
is second nature to the black bear who can bound up tree trunks
with surprising speed and ease.
In the
wild, black bears occupy forests and wooded mountains. They
are omnivorous, meaning they eat both meat and vegetation.
They eat whatever is available, depending on the season. A
typical diet consists of berries, plants, nuts, roots, fruit,
honey, honeycombs, bees, insects, and larvae. Bears also catch
and eat fish and small mammals, and will eat carrion (dead
animals).
Female
bears mate beginning at four years of age, and produce cubs
every other year. The cubs remain with their mother for 18-20
months, learning to forage and hunt.
Black
bears are normally shy and solitary mammals. However, when
they have come in contact with man they often lose their fear
of humans and can become extremely dangerous! Bears seem to
experience moods much like we do; they can be shy, curious,
pushy, or aggressive, and can possess other attributes that
we can identify as humanlike. Each time you get close to a
bear, you encounter a specific individual that may behave
differently from any other individual you have ever met before
or will ever meet again.
Many attacks
are caused by close encounters, where the bear has been surprised
and feels threatened by human presence. A female with cubs
will be especially aggressive and will defend her cubs from
any possible threat. Many attacks can be avoided if the bear
sees a way out of the situation.
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Pepper
Spray
Pepper Spray is a good last line of defense, but it is
not a substitute for vigilance and following the appropriate
safety measures. While not 100% effective, it is a good
idea to carry pepper spray when in bear country. Treat
all bear encounters with extreme caution. Above all else
do not think that because you have pepper spray with you,
you will be safe. Always carry pepper spray in a holster
ready for immediate use. Don’t bury it in your pack.
Most pepper sprays use capsaicin chemicals which are a
derivative of hot cayenne peppers. It is not an irritant
like the tear gases, but an inflammatory agent. Contact
with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat and lungs) will
cause IMMEDIATE dilation of the capillaries of the eyes,
resulting in TEMPORARY blindness and instant inflammation
of the breathing tube tissues, and constrict breathing
significantly. |
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Effects
can last for 20 minutes or more. Spray devices can have a
range of 8 to 20 feet or more, depending on model.
Some states
regulate or forbid pepper sprays. It’s a good idea to
call the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over
your destination before you bring pepper spray somewhere.
Misuse in some states comes with penalties of up to a $1000
fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a
possible felony conviction on record.
When purchasing
bear spray it is important to remember that personal defense
sprays are not the same. The EPA regulates bear sprays. Look
for the EPA registration and establishment numbers, usually
found at the bottom of the front label; only bear sprays will
have this information. Also, bear spray labels will clearly
refer to bears, and state it is a bear deterrent, bear repellent,
or for stopping attacking bears.
Make
Sure your Bear Spray is Fresh - Most bear spray manufacturers
recommend that you replace it each year. Some sprays have
been known to lose their effectiveness over time and the the
propellant can also become less effective. When in doubt,
buy a new can!
Consider
Carrying a Spare Can of Bear Spray - If you encounter
a bear and use your spray, chances are that in your excitement,
you will use the whole can. Sometimes bears travel together
and there may be another bear in the area, or the bear you
originally encountered could come back for more once the effects
of the first spraying have worn off. Clearly it came after
you once, it could do it again. A second spare can could save
your life.
Suggested
Use of Pepper Spray
- A
spray distance of 20-25 feet under optimum conditions. This
will give the bear a chance to experience the effects of
the bear spray, disabling and distracting it from its charge,
thereby reducing the likelihood of making contact.
- Don’t
use all of your spray at once. Try to use a minimum of 6
seconds of spray duration in case you are charged by more
than one bear, charged more than one time, or have more
than one encounter.
- Always
carry it readily accessible. Remove the safety clip if you
encounter fresh bear signs, when cleaning game or fish,
and especially if a bear is in the immediate area.
- Do
not use bear spray to harass or chase animals out of your
yard.
Strong
Word of Caution about Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is not a bear repellent when applied to objects
such as tents, food containers, clothing or other personal
belongings. In fact, USGS studies have shown that pepper spray
residues actually attract some bears when used in non aggressive
situations. They have found that "instances of people
inappropriately applying red pepper spray to objects in order
to repel bears are not uncommon." Their research suggests
that red pepper spray used in this manner may actually "promote"
attraction to spray-treated sites or objects by bears.
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Common
Sense Tips when in Bear Country
- Make
your presence known by talking loudly or making noise, particularly
along streams and in areas where there is bear sign such
as droppings, tracks, or claw or bite marks on trees. Make
your presence known by talking loudly, clapping, singing,
or occasionally calling out.
- Use
extreme caution when traveling on trails at night or at
either end of day.
- Bears
like to travel on ridges, game trails and along water
- While
fishing, if a bear approaches within 100 yards (or 200 yards
for a female with cubs), reel in your line or cut the line
and leave the area immediately.
- Every
bear defends a personal space. The extent of this space
will vary with each bear and each situation.
- Bears
aggressively defend their food. If you come upon a dead
animal carcass, immediately leave the area. Bears will often
feed on a carcass for days and also stay in the area to
protect their food.
- All
female bears defend their cubs.
- Never
attempt to feed a bear.
- Never
approach a bear.
- Food
odors attract bears. Do not store food in your tent. Don't
sleep in the same clothes you cooked in. Bears can be drawn
to many types of food - not only fish and bait, but also
groceries or garbage.
- Remember
not to wipe your hands on your clothing after cleaning fish
or handling fish or bait such as fish eggs.
- Remain
in your vehicle if you encounter a bear at the roadside.
Keep the windows up.
- There
is no guaranteed safe distance from a bear - the further
the better.
- Keep
dogs under control - dogs can lead an angry bear back to
you.
- Chemical
bear repellents or Bear Sprays contain capsicum, a derivative
of cayenne pepper, which when delivered to an animal's face
causes immediate irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory
tract. However, because of wind and other circumstances
of an attack, the spray cannot be considered an absolute
guarantee of safety. Despite the limitation, reports have
credited the spray with saving lives."
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|
If
You Encounter a Bear
-
Never approach a bear. Give it plenty of room to pass
by. Most black bears try to avoid confrontation when
given a chance.
-
Do not run from a bear. Running away from a black
bear may stimulate its instinct to chase. You cannot
outrun a bear. Instead, stand and face the animal.
Do not turn your back on the bear - sometimes a bear
will bluff charge several times.
-
If you have small children with you, pick them up
so that they do not run or panic. Give the bear room
so that it can avoid you.
-
If you encounter a bear cub, do not pick it up! You
run the risk of being attacked by a protective mother
bear. If you think the cub is abandoned, contact the
Department of Fish and Game. Orphaned cubs can be
captured, rehabilitated and released, but only by
organizations with specific authorization.
If
a Black Bear Approaches |
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- Try
not to panic! (yeah, right. Here is a a growling, grunting
bare teethed 400lb monster staring you in the face). Group
together, pick up small children and assess the situation.
Prepare to use your bear pepper spray. Stop and make no
sudden moves.
- Try
to demonstrate to the bear that you may be a danger to it.
Make yourself appear larger, stand up, raise your arms and
open your jacket. Yell at the bear, bang pots and pans or
whatever objects you may have with you, and create a general
commotion.
- Break
eye contact - do not stare in the bear’s eyes, as
this is a sign of aggression.
- Look
for signs of agitation and aggression - When a bear is standing
on its hind legs, it is usually just trying to get a better
look and smell of you. When a bear is upset it may have
it’s ears back- it may lower it’s head and swing
it from side to side- it may paw at the ground- it may make
huffing or woofing noises- it may snap it’s teeth-
or not show any signs at all, and just drop and charge with
no warning.
- Startled
bears will often confront intruders by turning sideways
to appear larger, make woofing and teeth clacking sounds,
salivate, lay their ears back and slap the ground with their
paws. These are warnings for you to leave the area.
- Back
away slowly, speaking in a calming, monotone voice - you
want to show the bear that you are being submissive and
want to get out of "It’s" territory.
- If
the bear comes at you - spray your Pepper Spray aiming for
the bear’s face or spray a fog out that the bear has
to run through to get to you.
If
a Black Bear Attacks
Black bear behavior is quite variable. Research indicates
that bear attacks have been avoided or injuries reduced when
the victims fought back using any means available. Throwing
rocks and striking the bear with branches or camping equipment
have been shown to be effective.
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Further Information
Here is
a USDA Forest Service article
on bear spray http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bdnf/bear_spray.html
USGS
Cautions Proper Use Of Pepper Spray To Avoid Bear Attacks
Interagency
Grizzley Bear Committee positron on Bear Spray
Bear
Aware Organization - Center
for Wildlife Organization. - good information here
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