BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:18 AM

The only Bear I've ever seen was called Bob, and he sang the Blues like no other Bear in the world. He died of a drug overdose in 1981. Canned Heat Fans forward please........

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 03:26 PM

John.... Bear Encounters Part Two is here.... if it works...

Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 03:09 PM

Shambles...you didn't see any bears, because American Bears are not attracted to items carried by the average English Camper, such as Shrimp-flavored Crisps, Marmite, and Branston's Pickle. Try some barbecued ribs next time.

:>}LEJ

PS What's your shipping address? I am sending you a slightly used outdoor bench for Guy Fawkes Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 03:04 PM

Thanks Mario. I really like this thread, if it gets much bigger could sombody make a part 2 please, if possible. I am using internet TV and big threads freeze my box up, and i have to reset my box.I think this is called a crash, my box says "Your browser has experienced an error (fatal memory panic)".thanks.john

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:57 PM

How timely this thread is... Centennial Park in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada has just been closed to hikers due to the presence of three black bears. The park is bounded by residential areas on three sides and an industrial park on the last side. I feel sorry for the bears because it's now traumatize and tranquilize.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:17 PM

Wrong place, wrong time, wrong bear = JAWS = Struck by lightening

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:11 PM

Actually Amos, I hear spraying the Bear Guard around the campsite is not a wise thing to do. Statistically it seems to attracted the bear. The pepper scent makes the bear curious. To use the jetting spray as a defense is another matter.
Best not to leave the treats in the woods to deter the bear from seeking snacks within your campsite. That will only lure the bear and create a garbage bear out of a wild bear.

The chances of being attacked by a garbage bear or being in the wrong place with the wrong bear is about the same as the chances of being struck by lightening.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: GUEST,Jen
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:04 PM

I've had several bear encounters, starting with the bear that couldn't get the lid off my parents steel cooler so he ripped the bottom off, the bear that the entire state park chased through my campsite while I was standing on the picnic table watching a skunk (guess which one I was more worried about), then there was the summer of the bears at Lycogis GS Camp--we had sightings during pre camp and decided to avoid scaring the campers we would refer to bears as "Juliette Low". The first night I called out to a tent to quiet down and they replied "but there's a bear in our tent" I ran over (bear had left) and shouted to the next unit that Juliette Low was headed their way. I heard the counselor call out to one of her tents to quiet down to which they replied, "it's not us it's some idiot yelling about JulietteLow!" We had bears in camp off and on all summer, in the shower house, even on the office porch playing with the bell on the cat's collar (fortunately, the cat was not wearing it at the time)

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:41 PM

Or this food contains additives?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:38 PM

Maybe it's the wording of the signs that is the problem?

Please don't accept food from humans might work better?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 12:55 PM

Bonnie:

I love the thought of you rolled up in a sleeping bag feeling like sushi!!! LOL!! I guess the thing to do is to leave a real bag of treats a good distance away? Or maybe spray yourself with pepper?

Dunno -- both tactics might just encourage 'em!! ('For what we are about to receive....)

Love,

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 12:48 PM

In Grizzly Adams I always wondered what was in the stew he was so fond of.

My first summer up here in Alaska I worked in a wilderness lodge where black bears were everyday visitors.

One evening I was in the open-fronted shed gathering kindling for my stove when 'Rusty', a cinnamon-colored black bear, wandered by. I was in the shadows of the shed and I couldn't resist- I spoke softly, conversationally, to him. He was curious, obviously mellow, and he come forward a few steps.

When I got a little nervous over his getting too close, I rattled some kindling shakes and he backed off. Again I couldn't resist asking him how he was doing, he was such a good-looking fellow, etc. And he came back. Finally he came to the very edge of the shed and I rattled some sheet metal and he lolloped off.

As Deckman said, body language is revealing. There is no way that that bear was a threat at that moment. But to let him come close enough to let him touch me would be stupid because these are not domesticated animals, they have no reason to try to please human beings.

Deckman, I believe that my totem is the dragonfly. They have landed on me a number of times, including on my face, and I love 'em.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 12:07 PM

Bear stories are a bit thin on the ground in Blighty, but here's mine.

An atheist went for a walk in the woods. He entered a large clearing, and was confronted by a very large, very hungry, and very angry Grizzly Bear.

His natural instincts clicked in, and he shrieked "Oh my God, help me".

There was a blinding flash, and time stood still. God himself stood before the atheist. God spoke.

"I don't believe what I just heard. You spend your entire adult life trying to disprove my existence, and the moment your skinny ass is in danger, I am the first emergency service you call!"

"You've got a point, there, God" replied the atheist, thinking fast. "I've got an idea, whereby neither of us loses face. If you turn the bear into a Christian, we can both walk away from this."

God stroked his long white beard and thought about it. "OK, it's a deal"

Another blinding flash of light, and the atheist faced the bear, alone. For a few seconds the two looked at each other. Suddenly, the bear fell to its knees, clasped its big hairy paws together, and said:-

"For what we are about to receive .........."

Skipjack

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: fox4zero
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 12:02 PM

An old buddy of mine was deer-hunting in the Catskills of NY with a single shot muzzle-loading rifle. He rounded a friend's barn and came face to face with a slightly wounded black bear. Perhaps if he had a repeating rifle, he might have done otherwise, but he slowly started backing away from the bear. The bear slowly started backing away from him, until they were about 30 yards apart and then they both ran like hell(in opposite directions, of course).

In a less humorous vein, when I was stationed in Alaska just before statehood, a hunter back-packing 2 fresh black bear skins was ambushed and killed by a grizzly. It was believed that the grizzly was black bear hunting too. Larry

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:58 AM

The theme song for The life and Times of Grizzly Adams was "Maybe" by Thom Pace

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:54 AM

This is true Walking Eagle. Yet wild bears and garbage bears are two different matters. The wild bear is as scared of me as I am of him. I feel comfortable with that. I am saddened by the garbage bear we have created. The garbage bear is what I tend to fear when I am sleeping in my tent in garbage bear populated areas. I feel like a sushi roll in my sleeping bag. My fear is way out of proportion, I know this, but what can I do.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:41 AM

I always think that I would rather live on earth knowing there were bears around. Somehow an environment without them would seem far too predictable for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:49 AM

Ps. It was a really nice series, one of my favourites at the time.I dont suppose you know who sang the theme tune or what its called? thanks.john

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:44 AM

Yes, thats it, thanks a lot. I was trying to think of that name for ages!

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:40 AM

Was it Grizzly Adams, john?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:37 AM

I like this thread.As far as I know there are no real bears in the UK, but when I was about 5 years old there was a series on tv about a man who lived in the mountains who had a bear, I seem to remember he had an old friend with a pony.The theme tune was really nice as well, it went something like "someday well live in peace and harmony in a place well call our own take me home, take me home".Does anybody know what the series was called? thanks john

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:18 AM

What I meant to say was, while on a car trip into British Columbia some years ago, my wife and I decided to car camp near the Dawson River. We drove some 2 or 3 miles down a dirt logging trail, and stopped at a nice clearing by a creek. We had pitched the tent and decided to take a hike. It was then I noticed several of the huge Lodgepole Pines that were near our camp had been marked. The marks were about 6 to 8 feet up the trunks, and consisted of large patches where the bark had been scraped away down to the heart wood, punctuated by long scratches up to an inch deep.

After a short discussion, we decided to sleep in the car that night.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:10 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 12:18 AM

LOL, Bob!

Sounds like the perfect handling for both animules!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 11:49 PM

Amos ... Good questions. Actually, he did express his opinions. At first he was very agitated because Beth frightened him. He he stood his ground and started swinging his head from side to side, trying to focus on me ... bears have very poor eyesite. I was watching his feet and he didn't seem aggresive, he was worried about us. After he figured me out, and I started talking calmly, he seemed to calm down more and seemed to listen. After Beth and boyfriend were out of sight back down the trail, he seemed to get bored and left his trail and headed up the canyon wall. After he gained about 15 feet of high ground on me, he got more comfortable. He sat (laid) down and focused on me. I went up the hill toward him, very slowly. He was comfortable and so was I. I got within about ten feet when I sat down and started to talk. I didn't make eye contact, that's a no no! He was beautiful! After a while, he yawned, so did I, and he wandered off uphill from me. I gathered Beth and her friend and we headed back down the trail. About an hour later, we ran into a Ranger, huffing and puffing, who said he'd heard of a bear close by. I told him our story and sent him off the wrong direction. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 10:58 PM

How did he express his opinions, Bob? I mean, did he use any gestures, sounds, expressions? Or just think his thunks at you? I've seen animals do it both ways. But I haven't had the honor of chatting with a wild bear.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 10:17 PM

I'm convinced that the black bear is my totem animal. I've hiked hundreds of miles, backpacking, in the Olympic Mountains in Washington state. I lost my favorite hiking partner because of my affinity for bears. About every other trip with wonderful Beth, I had very close bear encounters. I was never frightened, I actually enjoyed the experiences and tried to extend them. I've had 15 minute conversations with them, ran with them, shared log bridges with them, and I've yet to be frightened or hurt. Yet, if you write the word "bear" on a piece of paper and hand it to Beth, she freaks out and starts screaming! Go figgure! I still remember this absolutly beautiful 250 pound black bear in late Sept. The bear was healthy, shiny coat, getting ready for Winter. We were the last ones getting out of the mountains that Fall. We ran head on with him on the trail. He had breakfast on his mind and was heading for a trout creek 2 minutes behind us. Beth freaked out, as usual, and started to run away. Her boyfriend grabbed her while I went toward Bruin and started talking with him to calm HIM down. It worked, Beth calmed down, and the bear and I talked for a long time ... mostly about politics and the then Interior Director under reagon ... Watts. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 07:45 PM

LOL, Hawker!! You are TOO goddamn funny!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:46 PM

The additives probably would prove harmful, if taken on a regular basis. However, I think the bears can handle it as long as they don't consume more than 3 or 4 tourists in a given season, and stick to natural food the rest of the time.

Moderation is the key to good health.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Gareth
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:35 PM

I cant see what the problem is.

Plump tourists, hand reared on Big Mac's and Coke, should be a delectable morsel to any wandering bear - unless the addetives are harmful to the animals.

I can see it now - Jelystone National Park Familly Pack to go - Mother, Father and Three Rugrats - Keeps your Cubs happy beteween spring and hibernation !

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 04:55 PM

Yeah -- problem is, a lot of the tourists who get mauled, or who accidentally fall off the edge of the Grand Canyon wondering when the lights that illuminate it will be turned on, have already bred before succumbing to their Darwinian destiny....

Oh dear, I'm losing my compassion -- see what you've done, you wicked girl -- I'm hardening!!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Gareth
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 04:23 PM

Amos, Kendall, et al,

Why worry - it's evolution in action !

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:21 PM

I must admit that I agree with that sadly. I was suprised in Yosemite to find that this staggeringly wonderful place was mostly seen as a place to do everything but actually just appreciate the priceless value of being there.

In the busy part of the valley we were more in danger of being killed by the human recreational activities than wild bears. When we walked the rest of the valley, apart from the climbers, we did not see another person walking at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 01:54 PM

I find it very sad. It may stem from people being disconnected with nature. Some folks seem to have shut down their ability to understand the wilderness. This becomes quite apparent when you place them in a natural setting. You can see how detached they are from themselves and their surroundings. The wilderness becomes too foreign and overwhelming at times for them to really take in the natural surroundings they find themselves in.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 11:56 AM

Wel, we could run an IQ test on 'em at the gate, you know -- kinda like a "if yore too dumb to live, don't do it in our park!" policy thing...

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 09:06 AM

Maybe they shouldn't allow ILLITERATE PEOPLE IN? There are signs everywhere warning about getting too close to the animals.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 07:44 AM

I'm not surprised about Yosemite Valley bear policy. What dropped my jaw was seeing the vending machines for firewood. I know this is necessary to preserve the forest but at the same time it was bizarre to see.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:44 AM

There are far more dangerous animals than bears.

ecently I saw in a US National Park, with all the signs and warnings about not feeding the animals, a family encouraging their chilren to feed mule deer, from their parked car.

When challenged the mother replied that "they should not let the public in then".

Maybe they shouldn't?

There are no bears encouraged to be in Yosemite Valley, not because they would not thrive there but because of the danger presented to the public. Is this not wrong way round?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 01:00 AM

A couple of years ago a man from Juneau ended up in the hospital badly mauled. The way he explained it was that he was on a hike and sat on a log in the forest to eat his sandwiches.

A young black bear came by, and the man enticed it closer with bits of sandwich. Eventually it was turn and turn about, one bite for man, one bite for bear. The man said he felt like they had forged a bond, that it was almost a spiritual experience.

Until he ran out of sandwiches.

True story.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: rangeroger
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 12:34 AM

To keep music tied into this, listen to Lyle Lovett singing "Bears" on his "Step Inside This House" 2-CD set. Written by Stece Fromholz it is a hoot!

BEARS

Some folks say there ain't no bears in Arkansa
Some folks never seen a bear a tall
Some folks say that bears go around eating babies raw
Some folks got bear across the hall

Some folks say that bears go around smelling bad
Others say that a bear is honey sweet
Some folks say this bear's the best I ever had
Some folks got a bear beneath their feet

Some folks drive the bears out of the wilderness
Some to see a bear would pay a fee
Me,I just bear up to my bewildered best
And some folks even see the bear in me

So meet a bear and take him out to lunch with you And even though your friends may stop and stare
Just remember that's a bear there in the bunch with you
And they just don't come no better than a bear.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: sophocleese
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 11:42 PM

My first encounter with a bear happened when I wasn't quite two years old. Our family was out in the Rockies with several of my father's students. Some of the students made an enclosed run for me to play in. One day we had our lunch outside and some of the food was left beside the fence of my play area. Astonishingly enough an inquisitive bear showed up to nose at the food. I showed an inclination to wander in its direction and make friends. My father intervened, quickly and I was carried inside.

I grew up listening to stories of bear encounters from my dad and his students. If I'm camping outside now I panic at the sound of a leaf hitting the tent or a squirrel climbing a tree.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 10:02 PM

Omigod. The monkey didn't speak English, eh? Damned shame. Surely the good citizens might have assumed that a spy incapable of speaking English was possibly...not a spy in the first place? Even if he was a monkey? The mind boggles.

The sheer boltheaded stupidity of smalltown Englishmen may even rival that of the classic Canadian hoser, eh?

What a great story...

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: rangeroger
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 09:43 PM

One of my favorite scenes in Jeremiah Johnson,one of my favorite movies, is when the mountain man asks Robert Redford if he knows how to skin "grizz", and then leads an angry grizzly into the cabin for Redford to skin.

Continuing the bear under the trailer story,I didn't see the bear next spring festival,but he was back in the Fall.

It was after the festival again,and I was in the trailer asleep.Again. I woke up to clawing sounds from the back of the trailer and the trailer was getting shaken pretty good.This time I jumped out of the trailer clad only in socks and BVDs,spread both arms in the air above my head,and gave a loud roar.The bear was so startled he jumped backwards and bounced off the rear bumper of my Suburban,then disappeared into the night.

The next fall, he was back again. This time I pounded on the wall of the trailer and roared without ever getting up.

He hasn't come back.

Other bears,however,are a different story.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:36 PM

Kidding aside, bears are not to be messed with. Color isn't importatnt nor is the size. Any bear in the woods is stronger and faster than you are. You can't out run them and you can't out climb them. Bears are not bright and some are afraid of loud noises. They will run away. But they will also comeback. The good news is truly wild bears are not likely to go anywhere near you and will leave you alone unless cornered or you are playing with its cubs or you have food and it doesn't.

I have read stories of bears being killed by a .22 and a target arrow. I also read a book called Slow Journey Through Paradise. The travels of a Mountain Man and his wife. They where attacked by a grissly bear and after unloading every thing in the arsenal into the bear The bear attcked over the top of the fire and only Mrs. stuffing a large caliber Colt's pistol in it mouth and shooting it did the bear stop.

Like most things in life these descriptions are extremes and reality is in the middle. Be aware of all wild things and don't be stupid in the woods. Go where the Ranger says its safe unless you are very experienced. If you think you need a gun in the woods and you aren't a very experienced hunter stay home and watch wild kingdom.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Gareth
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:31 PM

Little Hawk

Recent threads on this which see, and some funny ballards. (Sorry I've yet to learn how to do a cliky - but I have refreshed the thread I marked)

To condense - During the Napoleonic Wars a ship was wrecked of The Hartlepools. The only suvivor was the ships Monkey. It did not speak English.

So the citizens of Hartlepool hung that Monkey as a Fench Spy.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:14 PM

Algy met a bear,
The bear met Algy.
The bear was bulgy,
The bulge was Algy

?anon

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:08 PM

So what is the Hartlepool Monkey story then?

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Gareth
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:01 PM

Great Big Grovel

Sorry I have been ferrying elderly relatives between S Wales and Kent today, and a 500 mile trip including M25 between M4 & M2 both ways blows your mind (Non Uk catters M25 Freeway /Autobann / Motorway is London circular NOT GOOD NEWS Or CIVILISED DRIVING !!!!)

How ever The story of the RUARDEAN bear is worthy of this thread, and I should have rememberd it earlier.

Now the FOREST of DEAN is that Nomans land between England and Wales (twixt Goucester and Monmouth) and is by repute incestuous, secretive, and 500 years out of the mainstream of U.K. history.

No doubt others will know of similar areas such as the Appalachtions (sic), or Romney Marsh, or the Isle of Sheppy.(GOK What the Australian area is !! Tasmania or Queensland perhaps ???)

{possibly a potential thread ???}

The Story of the RUARDEAN Bear !

Once upon a time in the village of Ruardean, deep in the Forest there came a travelling tinker/gypsy, and as was the occasional custom with these folk, had with him a pet/captive dancing bear. Now this bear, as European brown bears went was tame, and liked nothing better than a bowl of vegetables, followed up by a bowl of Ale or Cider, before it danced to the sound of flute or accordian. And provided it was fed and lubricated was happy to curl up and sleep.

Anyway the bear was fed, danced and the owner passed the hat around and retired to the village tavern to drink the proceeds.

Well oiled he began tales of how vicious the bear was, and how he had captured it single handed etc.

Now these tales impressed the simple folk of RUARDEAN and when the bearmaster collapsed drunk they were afraid that the bear would kill and eat them in thier beds.

So they went home, gathered their muskets, and shot the sleeping bear.

And if you want a free trip in an ambulance to Casualty (ER) in Goucester, or Abergavenny Hospitals - visit any of the Pubs or Inns in Ruardean and ask "Who shot the Bear !!"

You get a similar reaction in Hartlepool asking "Who hung the Monkey ??" qv.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 05:36 PM

I heard the story that folk used to think that the little bells worked.

That was until they came across all these piles of bear turds, containing all these little bells.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Gareth
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 04:52 PM

gnu

little bells on the ankels ? Hmm, Can't bears stand Morris dancing then ?

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 04:05 PM

Should have mentioned, for our American brothers, with Canadian laws the way they are, the twenty guage shotgun is the best choice for this situation.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 04:02 PM

Well, if you want a self-defense gun, there are many light weight, short, twenty guage shotguns which would do fine. I'm thinking of one type in particular, a "coach" gun, side-by-side, made by a Brazillian subsidiary of Remington. Barely meets Canadian regulations. Weighs about six pounds, eighteen inch barrels, separate hammers. BUT... if you don't KNOW gun safety, take a course FIRST. If you don't get educated, the bears could be the least of your worries.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:56 PM

I did see a California Condor in Arizona though.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:52 PM

Having heard LEJ's bear story from the man himself and searched in vain for any sign of a bear in eight states, I can say with some authority, there are no bears.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:43 PM

gnu - No need for concern. I was strictly thinking in terms of self-defence. I do not seek out bears under any circumstance, I try to avoid them.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:24 PM

The story I heard was that the largest bear ever taken was with a 22. The bear stuck it's head inside a tent of a native family and the lady of the house shot it in the eye. Any centre-fire rifle, properly used, will do. However, I cannot understand why anyone would want to kill one, except in self-defense. I realize some people eat the meat, but it just doesn't appeal to me. Like eating a duck... yuk !! Besides, they are a kindred spirit in my cultural background. Unless they get too close. Then, I consider them an endangered species... really f***ing endangered.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:10 PM

My only encounter with a bear was probably when I was about 10. We (myself, sister & mother) went to Benson's Wild Animal Farm here in New Hampshire. They had this bear pit & the wall around it stood maybe 4 ft high. Me being the inner city brat that's used to gaint rats & crazy cats & sick dogs thought nothing of bear teasing. Bear teasing (or baiting) is taking a lage box of popcorn & leaning way over a bear pit & not sharing with the bear in the hopes that you can later say you've made a bear cry. The bear wasn't from the inner city & didn't beg for it's popcorn either, instead it just reared up on it's two hind legs & made a grab for the popcorn. Good thing for me that I let go of the box as the bear raked it's paw down my arm, probably made for bloody good popcorn. My mother was fit to be tied, wouldn't let the onsite vet come near me so we instead got into the car drove the hour back to Boston only to have the doctors at the Children's Hospital call the onsite vet seeing as they all considered them the experts. I showed off my bear wounds for months, there weren't any other kids for blocks & blocks that could show off battle scars from a bear encounter. Never even found out if it was a black or a brown bear only that it liked popcorn. That was the first of my nines lives I was to lose, by now I swear I've only got two left. Barryfrombearland

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:06 PM

Hmmm...what caliber and general type of gun is required to actually kill a bear? A 30 caliber or larger, I presume?

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 02:53 PM

I have run into toooo many black bears lately that have no fear of me. Eastern brush wolves (called coyotes by most people around here; but, these guys hunt in packs, so, as far as I'm concerned, they're wolves) as well. I have not travelled the woods without a gun for ten years. I've never killed a bear, but I've been forced to scare off a half dozen with a demonstration of the weapon. BTW, firing over their heads sometimes only frightens them for a few minutes and they return. I prefer to pick a tree that they can see and let fly. It worked except for one. When he returned, I tore up the dirt road just in front and to the side of him and he finally got the message.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 02:07 PM

A geologist friend of mine told me a story about another geologist she works with. They do map surveying in northern BC. She told me her geologist co-worker was dropped off on some ridge alone for the day to do some research studies. She had a radio but no gun. Somewhere along the line she startled a sleeping black bear. He seemed to have been scared and dashed off, but what the bear did was swing around the bush and attack her from behind. The woman had no chance. She was mangled pretty bad and then the bear buried her under some leaves for a later meal. Fortunately she got access to her radio, called for help 'I'm being eaten by a bear!!!!!'. She lost both her arms from the mauling. She still continues her work as a geologist surveying maps in the field. Unbelievable woman of courage.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 01:10 PM

In Alaska, both Forest Service and State Parks have changed their advice regarding bears. They used to say that if you are knocked down by a bear, curl into a fetal position, clasp your hands together behind your neck and play dead. Chances are good that the bear simply wants you out of its hair and that it eventually will move away if it thinks you are dead. (They do say though that many people have gotten mauled twice by not remaining immobile long enough- sometimes a brown bear will lie down a short distance away keeping an eye on you. If you think it's gone and try to get up to go for help, it will come back and lambaste you again.)

That is still the advice they give regarding brown/grizzly bears. However, that is no longer what they tell you to do when it's a black bear.

A black bear, it has been ascertained, when it has you down and inert,may at a certain point decide to start feeding on you.

The official advice now is that when it's a blackie, fight back. Make as much noise as you can, be as threatening as you can, hit, gouge, whatever.

In Juneau, the Tlingits say that when a bear hears the little bells, it calls out to the others: Dinner!

:)

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 12:51 PM

There's the one about the bear that showed up a week late for the Mudcat Gathering, but it's boring.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 12:00 PM

Dang, Kendall, I'm keeping that one for my survival skills I may need some day!!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:44 AM

Another true story from my book. Years ago, I had a hunting camp on Mopang stream in eastern Maine. For three years in a row, when I went to the camp, I found it torn up pretty bad from a bear that lived in that area. Now, the best way to deal with a bear, is to outsmart it. They have a habit of standing up on their hind legs, reaching as high as they can up a tree, and leaving claw marks in the bark. If another bear comes by, and is smaller than the one who left the marks, he will leave the area. However, if another bear comes by, and is big enough to leave his marks higher than the first, then the one who made the original marks will leave. That way they avoid a fight. So, I got fed up with this resident bear, and I took a steel tooth garden rake and a step ladder to the bears marking tree, stood on the top step, reached a good ten feet higher than the bears marks, and raked that tree as hard as I could. Havn't seen that bear since.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rex
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 08:23 AM

The bears can tear into cars and coolers and more substantial things. My wife and I were working in Sequoia one summer. I was in the backcountry working on log cabins. We were getting into some for the first time that season. As the bears were troublesome the park folks had shutters and doors that were a couple inches thick and then had nails pounded through pretty densely to discourage the curious. Well one had gotten in by tearing the the door apart. Then he apparantly panicked and exited through the opposite wall. This again was a log building. Then another cabin was used by U.S.G.S. to monitor snow depths so it was kept stocked with food but in a wooden cabinate mounted on the wall and covered with sheet metal. A bear proof box maybe? It was. When we got there, a bear had been unable to open it but had torn it off the wall. It was a bit of a challenge getting three hundred pounds of cabinate along with the food off of its doors so we could open it.

Now those were just black bears. I'm sure there are plenty more big bear stories. When we hike certain places in Glacier we carry the "Bear Off" spray but I agree, I don't think it would make much difference. Years ago my wife and I were hiking back trails a geyser in Yellowstone. On the way out, something charged at us. We couldn't see it through the dense timber but stood stock still as crashing timber moved closer. Never saw him, I'm glad he stopped.

Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 04:55 AM

Don... priceless !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 12:43 AM

Roger, that's a first-class hoot!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: rangeroger
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 12:32 AM

I too have several stories,but I'll try to limit them.

Strawberry Music Festival is held at Camp Mather,on the border of Yosemite National Park.When I go there I sleep in a 1940 aluminum teardrop trailer.The back opens up into the kitchen,and I sleep in the front part,with just enough room for me.Over the years of going there,I've had bears come through my campsite several times.This was usually before or after the festival,as during the festival, 5000 people and a very loud stereo system keep them away.

One spring festival,I came back to my campsite and found my 100 quart coleman ice chest upside down and fairly well scratched up.The bear had clwed it up but was unable to open it. We figured it was a young one and knew what an ice chest was but didn't have enough experiance to open it.

The next fall I was using the ice chest as a storage locker for ropes and such and had it under the rear of the trailer. I was sound asleep and was dreaming that I was sliding toward the front of the trailer.As I came awake I realized that I was in fact sliding toward the front as the rear of the trailer was getting higher in the air. I started a shout that began in my sleep in the back of my throat and grew to a full roar as I became fully awake and threw the door of the trailer open, and hung out the door with my arms extended. The trailer immediately thumped back down and a head rose up from behind the fender with eyes as big as saucers.

All I heard after that was the thump of his feet as he hightailed it for the hills.

More stories to come.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 12:14 AM

From my experience, when setting up camp if you spot a bear lingering in the woods best to pack up your stuff and move to a new camping area. It is a sure sign he may be a garbage bear and could come back later on looking for a midnight snack.

When I lived near the Yukon, there were some rivers so heavily populated with grizzly bears it was best to eat your supper meal at one spot then move down the river to camp. I always worried that the group before us had the same idea.

I use to carry bear spray on me all the time when hiking in backcountry areas populated with grizzly bears. Funny thing though, when I moved back into the big city I found the pepper spray more useful. I would carrying it while going on city park trails. Lord knows what I may come across in the urban forest.

Personally I think bear spray just makes me feel safer and in control but I have a feeling it is a false sense of security. Best approach to travelling in bear country is be aware, know and follow the rules.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 10:51 PM

As if people do...!

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 10:47 PM

There's a growing black bear population in Northwest New Jersey, where it's still rural. About 1400 this year. I've tried to explain to campers that the bears are extremely clever, but there's always someone who doesn't believe me. Bears have been known to rip car windows out to get at the food stored inside. They seem to know that plastic soda bottles have worthwhile stuff inside, and they'll rip them open. They like everything, except mustard. A lot of people who have their food stolen will tell me that "I just left the campsite for a minute"., well, the bears are sitting in the woods watching you, just waiting for you to leave. They don't play fair.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:36 PM

I've heard rumours that you can stop a berserk hamster that way too, but I didn't believe them until now. You should maybe write a book on wilderness survival tips, Don.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:27 PM

My father used to tell of the days when he flew the mails for the US Airmail service between Utica/Rome and Plattsburg. While crossing the Adirondaks one October in a DeHaviland Swallow he was brought down by iced wings in a freak snow and rain storm. The Swallow was prefered because it was a soft crass. Let go the stick and it would come down like a maple leaf. After the [plane crashed into a stand of pines Dad found he was trapped in a Blizzard but near by a trappers cabin. He went into the cabin and found it was deserted and without provisions or fire wood. All that was left inside was a civil war era 50 cal. mussle loader a horn of powder and a small bag of minne balls.

Dressed only in his flight suit and carrying a gun he didn't know he went out to find firewood and hopefully some game. Dad said he shot as well as he flew. That is to say he missed the deer, the rabbit and the squirrel so when he came upon the bear he was with out lead but had plenty of powder. The bear advanced and Dad backed away until he was against a large stone with no place to turn. The bear was coming on slowly and Dad said he though he was done for. He began to cry thinking he'd never see Mom again but it was so cold the tears froze instantly into pellets. He quickly cried a handfull and loaded the old Springfield with powder and tears and as the bear attacked he fired the gun.

The heat from the gun melted the ice balls. The rifle was turned into a muzzle loaded squirt gun . But the tears froze again instantly into an icey spear and hit the bear right between the eyes where by the bruin died of water on the brain. Dad got a warm bearskin robe, food for two weeks and a bearclaw necklace that Mom wears to this day.

I know its the truth because Dad never lied.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:22 PM

I was doing an environmental study in about 1972, and we were in Yellowstone Park, driving a govt. station wagon with a camera platform on top...we had JUST passed a "do not mess with the bears" sign, when we came on a standard scene...bear with cubs beside the road, and tourists with cameras..OUT OF THEIR CARS, trying to get closer to the 'cute family group' for better pictures!

My buddy & I parked further back, got on top of our car and photographed the scene for our report....fortunately, we didn't have to edit out any bloody scenes, as the bears just ambled away after a bit. Some people ain't got a lick of sense.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:16 PM

I once saw a very funny greeting card. There was Mama bear with an apron on, standing at the door of her den door. She had a stern looking face about her as she greeted her poor little cub who had just arrived. The caption on the card read 'Where were you!!!!!"
You see a picture of the poor little cub with a radio collar around its neck, his pupils dilated in a stunned glazed haze, an identification tag on his ear and a brand marking on his rear.

Kind of says it all doesn't it?

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:03 PM

Yeah. Human mothers are like that too. I heard about some woman who drove off a grizzly that had just picked up her baby in it's mouth. She hit it in the nose with a shovel and it dropped the baby (unharmed) and ran away.

I don't recommend this method, but it worked for her. I guess the grizzly realized it had encountered a truly berserk opponent, capable of anything. I've heard of other cases of large animals (like sharks) being routed by a severe blow to the nose, but there's no guarantee it'll work every time.

Mind you, there's no guarantee of much of anything, is there?

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 05:51 PM

I have never seen a bear in the wild. But I adore them, and would love to.

They are interesting creatures. Usually they do not want anything to do with humans, but since humans don't think like bears, sometimes there's trouble. A woman was killed by a bear in the Smoky Mountains a year or so ago, which is tragic. News reports, however, were a little goofy. Oh, nobody knows why the bear attacked her... then a few sentences later, said something about the bear cub.

Duh.

Almost any female animal with small ones, who feels a threat, will do whatever it takes to end the threat.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 05:30 PM

Most have heard this, but, just in case...

Warnings of bear attacks and their avoidance have included advising the wearing of small bells on the ankles to avoid meeting a bear unexpectedly and the carrying of pepper spray. Also, one should be able to recognize signs of bear proximity, such as bear scat, which contains little bells and smells like pepper.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Bardford
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 05:12 PM

I was a tyke making his first solo excursion to the cottage outhouse many summers ago. Two thirds of the way there, I saw two cubs rooting around in the woods on the right side of the road. Sure enough, a grunt from the left side of the road indicated the presence of mama bear. I was almost, but not quite, between mom and her cubs.
I grew roots, frightened almost but not quite sh*tless, and shouted "Dad", only it came out "ack", quiet and raspy, like I'd had a tracheotomy. I stood there for what seemed a very long time. Mama bear just looked at me, but she was talking to her cubs, and they ambled out of the bush and joined her.
Then "BOOM", a rifle shot, which I think may have scared the sh*t out of me. Dad had been watching from the back of the house and grabbed his rifle when he saw the bears. He fired the shot over their heads, and they took off. I don't think I've had a decent poop since then.

My buddy and I are going hiking in bear country. He says "Bear country. I better get some new sneakers."
"You can't outrun a bear," says I.
"I don't have to. I just need to outrun you."

Cheers, Bardford

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 04:46 PM

Boy, this stuff gives me the creeps. I have to add that a woman I met last year at one of the folk festivals lost her daughter to a black bear attack. Her daughter was a professional runner, and apparently attracted the bear's attention while running down a forest trail. The bear bit her on the neck and killed her, then left the body where it lay.

This was a front page story that appeared in Canada's national newspapers last year.

I met the young woman's mother only a few days after the incident, and she was still in a pretty severe state of shock.

I do not wish to encounter any bears, and would sure not shoot a BB gun at one! But I bet Blind Drunk in Blind River would...given the chance.

It's interesting that they are reluctant to enter the water. So am I, but I would prefer it to entering the bear's mouth.

- LH

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 04:36 PM

Okay, here's one that I had told to me on lunch break on a construction project when I was sixteen years old. I'll shorten it as best I can.

Buddy was sitting up against a tree, eating a sandwich, when two great hairy legs wrapped around him from behind the tree. He passed the sandwich back as best he could and the bear gobbled it but didn't release his grip. He could hear the bear snapping and, in despartion, reached behind and grabbed the bear by the genitals and yanked repeatedly as hard as he could. After a dozen or so tugs, the bear hug was released and Buddy ran as hard and fast as he could, up the side of a steep hill. When he could run no further, he collapsed.

I asked if the bear was hot on his trail and Buddy said, "As soon as I caught my breath, I rolled over and saw the bear, still at the tree, smiling and waving at me to come back."

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 04:19 PM

Well, I don't think I'd like to try that one Kendall, though it would be worth a shot if the other choice was havin yer inerds out. A buddy of mine climbed a tree one time when a young boar - it's always the male "teenagers" that are the most dangerous, eh ? - was intent on him on a fishing trip. He tried to stick it in the face with a branch, but it just seemed to piss him off. Now, I know smoking is bad for you, but he lit a "Colt" cigar, poked at the bear's face with the branch, and, when the bear had it's mouth open fending the branch, dropped the cigar into the bear's mouth. Gone in seconds. Personally, I don't know if I would have been able to hold my lighter steady enough to light up !

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 03:55 PM

Bears seem to know that they are at a disadvantage in the water. I've heard stories from coon hunters who claim that a smart racoon will take to the water, and when the dog follows, it will climb upon the dogs head and drown it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 03:37 PM

Ottawa may be the only national capital to be frequently visited -- downtown -- by bears. Across the river is Gatineau Park, which has a burgeoning bear population; in the spring, when the teenage bears have to leave home and find new territory, a few will swim across the river. In 1983, when I worked at the National Archives of Canada (just up Wellington Street from Parliament Hill), one of the senior archivists in the Manuscript Division was arriving for work at about 0730 when he met a bear on the steps from the parking lot (on the river bank) to the back door of the Archives. This bear was eventually run down and shot in the Parliamentary Precinct by the RCMP. I guess that gig isn't all red serge and tourists.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:47 PM

That was downright nasty ! I hope she scared him as much as he scared her and her little ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:46 PM

Last summer I was doing some digging in the garden, when I started toward the house with my shovel just in time to see two large Black Bears coming down on the driveway. They both appeared to be young males, and were very disinterested in me, although they were snuffing in the direction of my garbage cans. They continued on down through the trees and simply disappeared.

We are quite used to seeing bears in the foothills here, and dangerous encounters are nearly unheard of. We had a bear who would visit our old house weekly in the summer time in search of garbage-can treats, taking the trash bags up on to someone's deck to enjoy his snack. I called the Sheriff's Dept at that time, and they sent up a Deputy who refused to get out of his car, saying "I'm sure the bear is gone by now." I replied "no. I saw him walk up onto the back deck of the house across the street" and the Deputy said "sure, but he's gone by now." In August of that Summer, a man in Indian Hills not far from here, was cooking a pan full of frozen Chorizo sausage while watching a game on tv. He heard a bang, and entered the kitchen to see the screen door flat on the floor and a large black bear eating the sausage out of the pan. The man left the house, while the bear continued to eat everything in the kitchen, including the rest of the sausage from the freezer, everything out of the refrigerator, and a tin of silver polish from under the sink. Wildlife officers arrived and shot him with a tranquilizer dart, held him for 24 hours to see if the silver polish would kill him, then flew him to the Western Slope and released him. We were convinced it was our "garbage bear" taking the next step into housebreaking.

Black bears CAN be lethal though. About three years ago, a caretaker on a property above Salida Colorado asked a friend if he could borrow a rifle to "frighten off" a black bear that had been growing more and more bold, trying to force open doors and windows on the house trailer where the man was lodging. A week later, the friend went to check on him and found the rifle on the trailer floor with several empty shell casings. The body was found partially buried about 200 yards from the camp.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:41 PM

A friend of mine had his liveaboard anchored in a cove when a large brownie with two cubs came out of the woods. The sow nosed around a log, the babies scampered and tumbled.

An evil impulse struck my friend- he reached up and yanked the cord on his foghorn. In a flash the babies were climbing a tree, Mama jumped straight up, four legs stiff, and when she landed she headed for the shoreline straight at the boat.

In a fog of amazement and fear my friend saw her coming- there was no way he could have gotten away if she had decided to clamber onto the boat. But a few feet into the water she changed her mind and returned to her cubs. Gathering them to her in affronted dignity, the three disappeared into the forest.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:16 PM

LH... yes, they swim, but I've seen black bears take a long time crossing a stream, picking their way so as to avoid getting even a claw wet. I've heard several stories where black bears, intent on harming someone, would not enter water after them. I saw a video on the tube of this very thing. The bear was obviously thinking of lunch, but wouldn't go near the guy when he went into a beaver dam. The whole time, this guy was filming the bear. Made me shake just watching it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Bert
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:09 PM

P'raps he was after that garbage banjo you've got stuffed under your bed;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Bluegrass Girl
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 01:58 PM

My husband Bill and I bred, raised, broke and showed Quarter Horses for years. One day he decided to take a very green 2-yr-old into the woods for a "relax" (they can sour of ring training pretty quickly).

All was going well, when the colt started to tighten up and "blow" through his nostrils. Bill patted him patiently and urged him further into the woods, thinking it was just a silly baby thing.

Imagine his surprise when the obedient colt walked right up to a huge black bear (we grow 'em pretty good here in Pennsylvania). Fortunately, the bear seemed as uneasy as the horse, and fled.

Bill learned to trust Spike's instincts in the future. He went on to be one of our best show horses and a high seller.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 01:46 PM

Lots of 'em.

This spring I was heading home at dusk from a mountain walk when from the corner of my eye a large black shape loomed up and sank and materialized into a large black bear coming to a halt not more than six feet from me. He had come over the roadside bridge barrier from down below.

Everything froze. (Time stood still is not an idle phrase.) He was as surprised as I. We stood there looking at each other; I was careful not to look into his eyes. And we stood. Finally, keeping his head turned toward me, he padded to the side of the road, took a couple of steps up the bank and sat there looking at me. Well. My way led right past him and I didn't want to do that.

I finally realized that if I spoke, the sound of my voice would probably send him away. But- I couldn't think of any words. So I ended up going, La la la la. And he retreated into the woods.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 01:09 PM

LOL MMario, I was going to ask how long until his socks dried out....

Yes they can swim just fine. We used to have one that would swim in the lake just down the hill from the cabin. You could get a cuppa in the pre-dawn, and go sit on the deck and watch him swim. Named him 'Bob' for obvious reasons. Must have been Junior all grown up, for I've never seen a bear enjoy the water that much.

The only time I think I was ever actually 'scared' was in a national park. I was doing my 'lizard on a hot rock' impersonation and snoozing on a boulder. I didn't see the bear, but I heard it...that chuffing noise will wake you up faster than ice down your shorts. The grizz was roughly the same size as the rock I was sitting on, and when he walked past (close-I could have touched him), he just looked at me out of the corner of his eye, and just kept going like I wasn't worth the trouble. I'd have gotten off the boulder and gone back to camp sooner, but I couldn't walk...*bg*

~Jen

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: MMario
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 12:14 PM

LH - How long did it take you to warm up?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Rex
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 12:03 PM

Haven't seen many this summer. Yet. They come around and we are careful not to leave stuff out that they can eat. You think raccoons can be a pest? Imagine a 200 lb. raccoon then. Last summer we was just finishing lunch on a day off and I'm reading the paper at the table. I see something move out of the corner of my eye and there he was. On our second floor deck. He was a yearling as he wasn't too heavy but when he stood up he was over six feet tall. He was batting at a hummingbird feeder that I don't keep on the deck anymore. I hollered, "Hey kids!" and my boys come arunning. But when they saw the bear they kind of backed up. I waited til they got a good look at him and then I flung the door open. He turned tail and ran down the stairs off the deck and off into the woods. He handled those stairs pretty good. I figured that was the end of it and then I heard some crashing on our neighbor's deck. So I grabbed a stick and ran through the woods to the other house. There he was tearing apart a bird feeder and he saw me coming. As I came up the one side of the deck, he jumped off the other and was into the woods again. I figured I really showed him as I walked back to my place. When I got there, there was he and his mother rolling around and playing in the aspen grove next to the house. Aw, they looked mighty cute. Folks complain about them but they don't really do any harm if you keep things picked up and out of reach. (All our bird feeders are now attached under the eaves of the house and we don't leave garbage out.) And they're good to have around. It give folks something talk about. Heh.

Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 11:56 AM

Some young men I knew went out camping one time at a secluded lake. The parents of one of them owned a cabin there. One of these guys had a BB machine gun of some kind...it could fire a rapid string of about 25 or so BB's. They spent Friday evening drinking, goofing off, and shooting the gun at pop cans, and finally hit the sack at about 3 AM. Around 4 AM they were woken up be noises at the back of the building. It turned out to be a black bear, rooting in the garbage and scattering it around.

The guy with the BB gun loaded it up and sneaked up on the bear in the darkness. He fired a string of BB's into the bear's hind end, as the other guys watched from a little way off. The bear was not amused. It spun about and headed for the young fool. Everybody scattered. Some hid in the cabin, some made it to the car, the guy with the gun dropped his weapon and fled toward the lake with the bear on his heels, and dove off the end of the dock. Fortunately for him the bear did not follow, but it did patrol up and down the shore for at least 1/2 an hour while he yelled for help from 15 or 20 feet out, where the water was up to his neck.

The bear was no doubt laughing the whole time. It finally went away, and the aforesaid young fool emerged rom the water, very cold and shaken.

I'd say he was darned lucky. I believe bears can swim just fine, can't they?

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 11:26 AM

No bear stories, though I think this due more to providence than anything else. My family used to go camping when I was a child, and we met up with all sorts of critters. Some not too thrilled at our presence, but most willing to peacefully co-exist.

I have a *huge* amount of "Dumb Camper" stories, however! ;D

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 11:10 AM

My Cherokee grandpaw tells of being so poor as to not have enough money to buy a gun for b'ar huntin'. He and another young fool would hunt with knives. One idiot would scare up a b'ar and get it to chase him around a knob of a hill while the other Eintsein would shinny up a tree and jump on the b'ars back when it passed under and would slit its' neck. I guess it worked as this Cherokee hillbilly woman is around to tell the tale!

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 10:30 AM

Somebody explain God's Own Drunk to me? Was the bear there? Was it a revenooer?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Jim Cheydi
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 10:11 AM

I like the one where Paddington buys shares in the Portobello Oil Company

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 09:54 AM

At least a dozen, but one very enjoyable. I had just returned to a woods road with a partridge and laid my twelve on the ground in order to tie the bird to my belt. When I stood up, a small black bear caught my eye. It was on the road, about 60 yards away, next to a large puddle, in the direction I was headed, and it was watching me intently. I hollered my usual friendly bear greeting, "Hello bear, F*** OFF!!!", which it immediately did. I tied on the bird, picked up old Betsy, stood up, and saw the bear in the same spot on the road. However, twas not the same bear. It was about 225 pounds. I did not greet it at all. I immediately turned, while keeping an eye on the sow, and walked slowly away about 20 feet where there was log near the side of the road. I sat on the log and lit a smoke.

The sow walked slowly toward me about ten feet and sat just like a dog sits, never taking her eyes off me. She let out a moan (for lack of a better description of the sound) and junior came barrelling out of the woods. I watched for about fifteen minutes while junior put on an aquatic display. He would run at the puddle from all angles and jump into the air, splashing down in the puddle with great enthusiasm. All the while, the sow never took her eyes off me.

Then, she let out a moan and junior ran to her side, stuck to her like glue and they sidled off quietly, her still with eyes glued on me. I waited five minutes and walked up the road, talking and coughing (coughing is like barking to a bear) to let her know I was passing and hoping she was out of earshot.

Many times, I've been close, I've been challenged, I've been stalked, I've even poked one with a broom through my trailer door, but watching junior in the puddle was, by far the most enjoyable and most memorable.

PS... The times I was stalked, the bear probably did not know what I was until we met and only once was I actually scared. That time, I did not meet up with the bear, but out-manouvered it and fled. It may not even have been a bear, but a jack-knife and a fishing rod just don't give me enough of an edge for a close encounter. By the time I got to my truck, about a mile away through thick brush, I had more scratches on my face and arms than you could count.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 09:45 AM

My grandmother was a worrier. She worried that I'd get bitten by a snake at church camp (I live on 25 acres of land, including woods and wetland. And what snake is so stupid to show as much as a scale with a couple thousand kids thundering through the neighborhood?) When I was 17, I went camping across Canada with my grandparents. In Banff National Park (Alberta), the camp was abuzz one morning with the news that there was a bear in the camp. My grandfather and I took our cameras and went for a walk on the road through the campground on the off chance that we'd see it. (Long shots only, thanks.) We never saw a thing, of course, but when we got back to camp, it seems the bear was there while we were gone. My grandmother was taking care of a few details and turned around just in time to see a young bear starting to climb into the car. Her first thought was that she didn't want "some dirty old bear smelling up the car" (it was August), so she chased it out of the car with her apron. The bear was so young that it climbed a tree, and that's where I photographed the bear.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: LR Mole
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 09:38 AM

Ah, Buck. Bless his sainted soul.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Stewie
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 09:32 AM

Here's a classic from His Lordship:

God's Own Drunk

Enjoy.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:49 AM

Haliburton is so populated with bears this year that they are roaming around in town. Folks have been warned to not keep dog or cat food dishes on the porch and to take away the bird feeders.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: MMario
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:31 AM

A couple years ago our horses were making a fuss - making a lot of noise , but taking the stance we have come to learn is "on guard" - something they usually do when there is a strange car in the drive. But we hadn't heard anyone drive up. We walked out the door to find a bear in our garden - calmly fisting up pawfuls of birdseed and eating it. He stayed about an hour - during which time the horses remained "on point" and the cats calmly strolled around pretending to ignore him, but jumping about a foot anytime he moved.

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:24 AM

Bear or Bare?

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:09 AM

So, tell us about it!

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: harpgirl
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:04 AM

...my last bear encounter was quite a lot of fun...

Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:01 AM

This one is in my book, STORIES TOLD IN THE KITCHEN.

My great Uncle Curt said he was picking raspberries up on the mountain near his home, and suddenly, a big black bear rose up in front of him and let out a tremendous roar. Curt says, "Well, I took off running, and, I ran as fast as I could, but, that bear was right on my heels. We ran for miles, I couldn't gain any distance between us, and the bear couldn't gain on me. You know, the only way I got clear of that bear, was, I ran across the pond where the ice had frozen just thick enough to support my weight, but, the bear, being much heavier, fell through the ice, and I got away!" I said, "Now wait a minute, you were picking raspberries, that had to be in mid-summer, then, you ran across the ice? how can that be? I'm not as stupid as I look!" He says "You're right, you're not as stupid as you look, I just didn't tell you that this bear chased me from August to Christmas!"

Subject: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 07:32 AM

Recently I went camping near Algonquin Park. They said to be careful about our garbage because there were lots of bears around this year. The usual spring hunt was cancelled. As we were leaving the camping grounds I went to dump off our garbage into the bear proof dumpster. Right beside the dumpster was a big black bear just a couple of yards away from me.  I was looking down and did not see him. My friend yells out 'Bonnie bear!!!!'  I looked up and there he was right in front of me. Guess he was hoping I would walk right up to him and hand him my garbage.
Oy!
He was timid though, so I did not toss him the bag.  I backed up instead.  If he was really unhappy with my decision I would have tossed the garbage to him with pleasure but I had time and space to back up and dive into the car.  Boy my heart was racing.

Have any of you guys had bear encounters or some good bear stories you know of?

Bonnie