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BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories?
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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........ |
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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... |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories? From: The Shambles Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:41 PM Or this food contains additives? |
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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? |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:40 AM Was it Grizzly Adams, john? |
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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 |
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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. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bear Encounters - Got Any Good Stories? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:10 AM |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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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
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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? |
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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 |
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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 say that bears go around smelling bad Some folks drive the bears out of the wilderness So meet a bear and take him out to lunch with you And even though your friends may stop and stare rr |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |