"Jeffrey L. Walker" wrote:
> > Hello Fellow listers.
> > As a person that lives in the north
> of
> > Canada, where we have black bears in our back yard. Yes, often wake-up to
> > spot a bear wondering down the street. It is quite easy to come to a good
> > understanding of these black/ brown / white.
> > If a person keeps their distance and make their presence known, in most
> > cases the bear is more afraid of you than you of him. A bell will not be a
> > bad idea, that is what I use when hiking. They often run as soon as they
> > here you. If you are still unsure of going in the woods without
> protection,
> > use pepper spray. This will make any bear hit the woods has fast as they
> > come at you. Trust me I know from experience.
> > Well when it comes to Grizzly, I don't venture to comment. In the past
> > years to many people in my area have not done to well. As for camping and
> > food, keep it away from the tent. Put all food in a tree. Sorry that
> > incudes beer.
>
> Man I just came back to the list and it was like I never left. First valve
> clearances, now bear stories again. What's next, OIL?
>
> Jeff
>
> PS....Did I ever tell you all about the time...In Alaska on a patrol we ran
> across a Kodiak bear's carcass. Somebody noticed a boot underneath it, so
> about ten of us rolled the dead bear over, and discovered a guy who had been
> crushed by the bear after shooting it multiple times with his Desert Eagle,
> which he still had clutched in his hand. Can you imagine having that kind
> of luck?
From what I understand, the sucess rate on self-defence against grizzly
bears with handguns is pretty poor. They just aint got enough ass, even the big
Limbaugh guns. As in all gunfights, ties are not an acceptable outcome.
Also, it is my understanding that grizzlys are mostly intersted in defending
their territory so the best strategy when in ones clutches is to play dead.
However, on those ocasions when a black bear dosnt run at the sound of tinking
bells, he is primarily interested in eating you and playing dead only makes you
that much easier to eat.
Polar bears, on the other hand, are interesed in removing you from their
territory *by* eating you and will often hunt humans like they were fur seals
with legs.
Did I mention that I dont especialy like polar bears?
-Tom
in largely bear-free SC
'96 KLR 650