what are you SUPPOSED to do when you see a bear?

Problem with bear mace (or any kind of mace/pepper spray) is if the wind is the wrong way, it's gonna take you out too. Did an experiment with mace once like that - wasn't pretty.

There was a thing on west coast cbc last night about bears. Pretty much just said what most have said: DON"T RUN, don't turn your back, look big, sound loud, back away slowly and if it attacks, then go fetal n' cover your head.

 

wow, sss that was informative/entertaining... because I know you the story is even funnier as I imagine you defending yourself against the bear (and riding your BMX's) I laughed my ass off.

Thanks.

I mentioned that this is a black bear that looked red?
(near grand beach)

I heard that about mace too, and if you miss the bear - then you're in trouble

 

hey, glad you liked...

about throwing stuff at the bear, I've never tried, I think it would either piss it off and get it angry(most likely) or like you said confuse it and maybe make it back off.

bear mace and wind...just like pissing into the wind! bear mace is really strong, hell regular pepper spray will clear a room. bottom line though is if the bear is that close it will get it and you(almost worst case scenario), both will kinda forget about the other danger and really think holy $#$ my nose, eyes, mouth, (possibly other orifices?) are on fire!!! lol worst case scenario you completely miss the bear and just seasoned yourself!

I also saw something on the CBC website that talks about what to do about bears, maybe check it out as it's that time of year were they are really looking to start fattening up and start caring less about petty things like people in their way.

and since grand beach has lots of people around there, you may have to talk to a few neighbors to stop leaving garbage outside, bird feeders full of seed, dog/cat food outside and may have to rethink compost if you can't keep it a safe distance away where any scavengers wouldn't be a problem. i've even hear of bears going after humming bird feeders for the sweet sweet nectar. hopefully it was just a younger bear looking for a good spot to set up it's territory. if it's not a good spot with lot's of food and shelter, it'll move on.

 

get naked and start dancing....

 

oh, just had another thought! since lot's of the experts on tv and stuff spend most of their time reading books and are professors that may have never even surprised a bear on a it's turf, or a lot of other bear related situations. you may want to get more first hand and respectfull way of dealing with bears. especially bear spray or guns as they should only be used as a last resort. try talking to some elders and asking them about their stories and how their people have dealt living with bears for centuries. might not learn too much that isn't out there as far as safety but you may get some interresting stories and learn more about the cultural meanings referances to bears...

just a thought,

 

yeah cool

Did you see the documentary of that guy named Tim so and so who "lived with the bears" (and got mauled to death) The guy thought he could live peacefully with them , too close for peace in the bear's opinion.

 

give him your joint

 

I had a pretty epic bear experience last year. Ws walkin home from a friends house on the traintracks and I was passing through a ravine. I was about halfway towards the end when I saw a big black bear with two cubs walk up from a bank at the end of the ravine. She stopped, sniffed the air, and began walking towards me. I was carrying a walking staff, so I began waving it around and yelling to the bear that I meant no harm to her or her cubs and that I would be on my way. I continued to do this, walking backwards facing her so I could get out of the ravine without running. When I got what seemed to be a safe distance away, I turned and hustled it back in the direction of my friends house (like 3 km away). Lo and behold, after a short walk away from the ravine, another bear walks out of the bushes not 5 metres away from me! Luckily, he turned and looked at me, then took off running in the opposite direction. I was pretty freaked out at this point, caught between the two of these on the train tracks. I climbed an embankment, crossed the highway, and started walking home on trail quite close to where the bears were, but I had to get home, as it was getting
dark. Believe it or not, when I was close to home I heard another noise in the bushes which sounded like a bear, so I hustled right quick, through the woods to my house. Twas an intense day: haven't had my adrenaline go like that for awhile!

My advice would be this: somehow show them that you do not mean to disturb or harm them, especially if it is a mama bear with cubs! Also show them that they probably wouldn't want to mess with them: look big and intimidating, but not enough to threaten them.

 

I have never seen a wild bear in person. I hope never to have the pleasure.

 

Timothy Treadwell :hat:


I've met bears in my front yard...they seem more scared of me

 

I'm going up to bear country tomorrow.

I was told that you're not supposed to stand too tall - because bears man see that as a sign of dominance, and you never look them in your eye, but you always keep them in your sight, as you move away from them and never turn your back on them.

You're supposed to start talking loudly, not shouting, because that could be seen as a challenge, but do something like sing loudly, try not to sound angry, and carefully back away.

 

I would dissagree....what you're saying sonds like Grizzly or polar bear advice...but black bears (from my experience) respond well to to humans who stand their ground and yell (unless they have cubs)

PS...the bears are hibernating now so you wont see any (unless bear country is like a bear zoo or something)


most people here meet bears while blueberry picking...its always good to make lots of noise when picking ...otherwise you might shit your pants when a bear strolls by your face...if you make noise they generally stay away and are not curious like moose

 

ask him what he'd say on the moon..

 

Yeah, I know. But they'll come out on a warm day. Thankfully Quebec is getting walloped with snow for the next week and half!

Youppie!!!!

 

youppie :/