Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > The Lounge
o

Notices

The Lounge A Catch-All Area for NON-GUN topics.
PUT GUN TOPICS in the GUN FORUMS.
Keep it Family Friendly. See The Rules for Banned Topics!


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:04 PM
Model29Lover's Avatar
Model29Lover Model29Lover is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: KENTUCKY
Posts: 209
Likes: 136
Liked 20 Times in 14 Posts
Default When Black Bears Attack

A man named Tim Scott of Springfield KY was attacked while hiking at the Red River Gorge by a black bear last week. He was hiking ahead of his party and took some pictures of the bear before being mauled by it. He was saved by other hikers who threw various objects at the bear that eventually ran it off!! Mr. Scott's legs were badly chewed up, but he will heal up from his ordeal. They closed the park to look for it, but re-opened when they were unsuccessful. I bet he carries a 44 magnum the next time he goes hiking though!! People say black bears are docile!!! Ya, until they're not!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:07 PM
cowboy117's Avatar
cowboy117 cowboy117 is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I NEVER go in the woods without a firearm.Never know what you'll run into.
__________________
WALSTIB
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:27 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
Default

We stayed in a campground in western Canada one night in about 1997. We found out that a few weeks earlier, a black bear had killed a child (about 10 years old if I remember) and then the child's mother when she tried to rescue her son. Another American tourist killed the bear with a handgun he "forgot" to leave at home. My guess is that he got in trouble for his trouble.

Here in Utah, we have had black bears kill a couple of folks in the last 10 years. And, there aren't very many bears here.

Once bears mentally link people with food, there is often trouble, and the bear sometimes isn't the only one that suffers.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:34 PM
keith44spl's Avatar
keith44spl keith44spl is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Red River Valley
Posts: 7,690
Likes: 13,045
Liked 28,605 Times in 5,151 Posts
Default

Bear report;

Black bear in Mammoth Cave Park backcountry...

Just better respect them that critters, is all I'm sayin'

Su Amigo,
Dave
__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:42 PM
Texas Star Texas Star is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,362
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
Default

I've posted this here so often that it ought to be a sticky, but most PREDATORY attacks on humans by bears do involve black bears.

One that was stabbed to death as it attacked an angler was found to have stashed the bodies of about eight other men in a nearby food cache.

I try to keep up with wild animal attacks, and there is no shortage of those by black bears.

Keep in mind that many backpacking/hiking enthusiasts are not gun people. They're affluent semi-hippies, and they regard guns with horror. And until quite recently, one couldn't carry guns in national parks, where some of the popular trails are.

As for Canada, I think it's morally criminal of their government to ban guns where they're likely to be needed.
But it's a socialist country with heavy government. It's better avoided, if possible.

Finally, many campers and the like simply have an, "it won't happen to me" philosophy. I think that borders on arrogance and lack of knowledge of the wild. Of course, TV nature programming and PETA have brainwashed many of them.

Granted, MOST black bears don't attack people. And MOST drivers don't have accidents...in MOST years! But every year, there are car accidents...and bear attacks.

T-Star
P.S. in the present case, I have to wonder why the victim thought he could photograph the bear without danger. How close did he get? Sometimes, photographers do stupid things. In our zoo, they quit letting people photograph venomous snakes in the staff area. Too many got so focused (pun there!) on the pictures that they came dangerously close to the snakes.

Last edited by Texas Star; 07-05-2010 at 05:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:56 PM
BarbC's Avatar
BarbC BarbC is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central FL
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 468
Liked 527 Times in 181 Posts
Default

Bears, you say? They're rampant here. This was yesterday's visitor. He was passing through the backyard on the way to the neighbor's garbage can, where we caught up to him. Basically, we consider what we carry to be noisemakers to run him off. I don't think anything less than a .45 or a 12 gauge would actually stop him.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2383.jpg (102.4 KB, 155 views)
File Type: jpg Bear1.jpg (12.9 KB, 165 views)
File Type: jpg Bear2.jpg (12.8 KB, 140 views)
File Type: jpg Bear3.jpg (12.9 KB, 137 views)

Last edited by BarbC; 07-05-2010 at 04:59 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-05-2010, 04:59 PM
ingmansinc's Avatar
ingmansinc ingmansinc is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
Liked 47 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Finally, many campers and the like simply have an, "it won't happen to me" philosophy. I think that borders on arrogance and lack of knowledge of the wild. Of course, TV nature programming and PETA have brainwashed many of them.

T-Star
I agree with you completely. Anybody who goes up against nature without proper knowledge and preparation may as well hold up a lightening rod in an electrical storm. I'll take luck over smarts anytime, but when you combine the two then you really have a plan. I've been canoeing / camping in the arctic with polar bears, lot of trips in black bear country, photographed moose up close, been in the water shared by gators and who know what kind of snakes, and spent many hours in the ocean. So far common sense, knowledge, and luck have served me well. However I don't rely on the clowns on the reality shows for my survival training.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-05-2010, 05:05 PM
steveno steveno is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Minden , Nebraska
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 1,194
Liked 4,318 Times in 1,420 Posts
Default

I had seen On a TV show the the game wardens were using 12 gauge rubber buckshot to condition the black bears to stay away from homes. success rate was about 50-50. some of the bears definitely didn't like get shot with the rubber buckshot. I would use a 12 gauge but the second round and all other rounds in the magazine would be lead slugs.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-05-2010, 05:23 PM
Texas Star Texas Star is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,362
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ingmansinc View Post
I agree with you completely. Anybody who goes up against nature without proper knowledge and preparation may as well hold up a lightening rod in an electrical storm. I'll take luck over smarts anytime, but when you combine the two then you really have a plan. I've been canoeing / camping in the arctic with polar bears, lot of trips in black bear country, photographed moose up close, been in the water shared by gators and who know what kind of snakes, and spent many hours in the ocean. So far common sense, knowledge, and luck have served me well. However I don't rely on the clowns on the reality shows for my survival training.

Well, you certainly have a point about Bear Grylls! He's more into making dramatic TV shows than he is into teaching real survival techniques. And guys like Steve Irwin and a South African whose name escapes me at the moment (Austin Stevens?) got far too casual with reptiles. Stevens actually got bitten by a cobra that he was harrassing for the camera.

I think that many snakes hounded on TV have just been released from a cold box and aren't themselves yet. And Irwin reportedly worked with selected docile examples from his zoo much of the time. When he went to Africa, the snakes there were much less tolerant of him, and he kept exclaiming about it! He took very foolish chances witrh a big Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) and caught a black mamba by the tail. It nearly tagged him, which would have been a disaster. Without very prompt access to antivenin and proper medical care (which was distant), victims of mamba bite have almost a 100% death rate. And a red spitting cobra almost got some venom into his eyes, despite his wearing glasses. The guy actually went up trees to approach a green mamba and a boomslang! The lethal dose for a boomslang bite is about 1.5 mg. Most cobra and mamba bites take about 15-20 mg. to kill an average 150 pound man in good shape. However, they often deliver more than that in a bite, and angry mambas and cobras often deliver multple bites.

Even Irwin admitted that he was "sweating bullets" by the time he'd bagged that mamba, and that he was in grave danger in those trees. His anxiety was evident.

I think some of these daring TV hosts are adrenaline junkies.
Anyone who photographs bears from a close distance has got rocks in the head.

T-Star

Last edited by Texas Star; 07-05-2010 at 05:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-05-2010, 05:42 PM
ingmansinc's Avatar
ingmansinc ingmansinc is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
Liked 47 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Anyone who photographs bears from a close distance has got rocks in the head.

T-Star
One should be very careful with a moose also. I would not recommend a flash attachment and especially not at dusk. I always remove jewelry when swimming in salt water as I don't want to sparkle like a fishing lure. I also think a garbage free campsite is a must. Knife and hatchet throwing is not wise and one should always consider how many hundred miles they are from a hospital when they decide to act daring. When the nearest town is four days by canoe and another 200 / 400 miles to a hospital it is not a good time to attempt cliff climbing when not necessary. That's a long trip with a broken leg or worse.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-05-2010, 06:10 PM
deanodog deanodog is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KY
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 4,479
Liked 1,189 Times in 509 Posts
Default

There have been numerous sighting lately in East Ky. They opened a hunting season last year. Game officials have trapped and relocated several.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-05-2010, 08:14 PM
gizamo gizamo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 137
Liked 864 Times in 187 Posts
Default

Here is a suggestion. If you are totally clueless and have no common sense....Just maybe you don't belong in the Black Bears environment...

Stay home with your gun, stay off the backwoods trails...
__________________
Non gratum anus rodentum
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-05-2010, 08:55 PM
Nathan Forrest's Avatar
Nathan Forrest Nathan Forrest is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 1 Post
Default

I guess the bear didn't like the paparazzi hanging around taking pictures. Was it dark enough in the woods for the flash to go off and possibly startle the bear? I thought the advise when encountering a black bear was to look large and slowly back off?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-06-2010, 04:00 PM
G.T. Smith's Avatar
G.T. Smith G.T. Smith is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: south central missouri
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 987
Liked 2,270 Times in 654 Posts
Default

People seem to have a false sense of security these days. I think it is partly because of cell phones, being able to call for police, medical help, tow trucks and such. Insurance is mandatory on vehicles so no problem there. No way a dumb animal is going to attack a smart, insured, connected person who has the God given dominance over them. That bear just better be glad that guy didn't take his photo then attack him and bite his throat out.
Never go into the wild without being properly armed for whatever you may encounter. You are in their house then. And not unlike people there are nice ones and not so nice ones, and killers. I feel kinda sorry for that bear though.
Peace,
gordon
__________________
better have that checked
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-06-2010, 04:35 PM
460v LAC du FLAMBEAU 460v LAC du FLAMBEAU is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Northwoods, WISCONSIN
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default

Here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin...a firearm is a must when walking in the woods even 100 yards from the house.

460 or 500 is my normal wilderness carry.

My favorite for big 4-legged critters with bad intentions while on my property...10 gauge from 50 feet.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-06-2010, 09:32 PM
Model29Lover's Avatar
Model29Lover Model29Lover is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: KENTUCKY
Posts: 209
Likes: 136
Liked 20 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan Forrest View Post
I guess the bear didn't like the paparazzi hanging around taking pictures. Was it dark enough in the woods for the flash to go off and possibly startle the bear? I thought the advise when encountering a black bear was to look large and slowly back off?
He took the pictures with his Iphone as it was walking off the trail, he said. It then turned back on the trail and pursued him. He ran, but obviously wasn't fast enough. I hope he buys a 44 magnum or 500 magnum after that fiasco!!!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 07-07-2010, 09:37 AM
Jst1mr Jst1mr is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Woods and Lakes
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 512
Liked 1,501 Times in 442 Posts
Default

Anyone who turns and runs from a bear has likely guaranteed a full-out attack. A bear can run down a race horse over a short distance, and sees a fleeing animal as prey to be pursued. They often bluff charge - remember they have poor eyesight and are trying to measure up the threat. Understanding animal behavior and reacting accordingly goes a long ways - skills that are sorely lacking in today's urban culture.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 07-07-2010, 10:35 AM
BarbC's Avatar
BarbC BarbC is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central FL
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 468
Liked 527 Times in 181 Posts
Default

Some interesting info from Avoiding Bear Maulings, Grizzly Attack Defense

A bear that stands on its hind feet is usually just trying to get a better look and smell by sniffing the air. This is not an aggressive posture in of itself. It simply means that the bear is unsure of what is in front of him, but still could drop on all fours and charge.
A bear that swings its head from side to side, or turns sideways from you, is expressing a reluctance to charge and is looking for a way out of the situation.
If a bear looks you in the eyes directly and has its ears back, it’s warning that you are too close and feels threatened. A bear may also make barking, woofing or moaning sounds to indicate this.
If a bear "pops" its jaws, it is very agitated and most often will charge. Charges are often a test to resolve a situation and are often "bluff charges" where the bear stops short of you, veers off and runs right past you. A bear might bluff charge many times before leaving. A bear may also bluff charge a few times and then come at you at a different angle.
A bear that does charge, and knocks you down, is attempting to remove a threat. The bear will use as much force as it believes is necessary to remove that threat.
A bear can instantly reach speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour in a matter of a split second. Never try to outrun a bear, it will only make matters worse.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 07-07-2010, 10:57 AM
keith44spl's Avatar
keith44spl keith44spl is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Red River Valley
Posts: 7,690
Likes: 13,045
Liked 28,605 Times in 5,151 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BarbC View Post
Some interesting info from Avoiding Bear Maulings, Grizzly Attack Defense

A bear that stands on its hind feet is usually just trying to get a better look and smell by sniffing the air. This is not an aggressive posture in of itself. It simply means that the bear is unsure of what is in front of him, but still could drop on all fours and charge.
A bear that swings its head from side to side, or turns sideways from you, is expressing a reluctance to charge and is looking for a way out of the situation.
If a bear looks you in the eyes directly and has its ears back, it’s warning that you are too close and feels threatened. A bear may also make barking, woofing or moaning sounds to indicate this.
If a bear "pops" its jaws, it is very agitated and most often will charge. Charges are often a test to resolve a situation and are often "bluff charges" where the bear stops short of you, veers off and runs right past you. A bear might bluff charge many times before leaving. A bear may also bluff charge a few times and then come at you at a different angle.
A bear that does charge, and knocks you down, is attempting to remove a threat. The bear will use as much force as it believes is necessary to remove that threat.
A bear can instantly reach speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour in a matter of a split second. Never try to outrun a bear, it will only make matters worse.

Barb,

That's what ol' timers refer to as 'reading 'em'.

If'n the bear's a poppin' it's teeth and coming at ya with his ears laid back...I'd say that's a good enough time to open the party favors and go ahead and make your best play.

Bears are a hell of a lot faster on all fours than I am on two, better be quick, good, really lucky and or in good standin' with the Lord.

That's just what I'm a thinkin',

Su Amigo,
Dave
__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 07-07-2010, 01:24 PM
Kanewpadle's Avatar
Kanewpadle Kanewpadle is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Wrong side of Washington
Posts: 10,174
Likes: 13,010
Liked 17,099 Times in 5,129 Posts
Default

I grew up in bear country. They were all around us every summer. We had a many problems but only had to shoot one.

It's hard for me to have sympathy for someone that hunts dangerous game with a camera.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 07-07-2010, 01:52 PM
tbury's Avatar
tbury tbury is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 577
Likes: 16
Liked 54 Times in 23 Posts
Default

I have a friend that camps in that area of Kentucky frequently. It is fairly common that Black Bears pass through the area on the way to and from the Smokies. According to him this is the time of year that bears are on the move looking for mates. Normally there is not a resident bear population in the area of the attack. That being said he feels that there is more to the story than has been released or maybe told to the authorities. That being said he is now carrying bear spray, (liberal Lawyer type). I suggested that the bear might prefer tabasco sauce.
__________________
Revolver luvin' Mountaineer
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 07-07-2010, 02:03 PM
Jst1mr Jst1mr is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Woods and Lakes
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 512
Liked 1,501 Times in 442 Posts
Default

I interact with bears constantly, oftentimes in my back yard - as Dave points out you learn to "read" them, much as someone like a delivery man learns to read a dog's intentions. Respect them and don't provoke or tempt them...few or no problems. Poke an iphone in their face, then run like a crazed ostrich....well, good luck. When you're in bear country, it is YOUR obligation to understand them. If I cut loose a volley of lead everytime a bear and I were checking each other out I could carpet the entire house in bearskin rugs. I have given ground in berry patches and once even given up a stringer of fish, but I don't begrudge them their place in the grand scheme of things.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 07-07-2010, 02:19 PM
Kanewpadle's Avatar
Kanewpadle Kanewpadle is offline
US Veteran
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Wrong side of Washington
Posts: 10,174
Likes: 13,010
Liked 17,099 Times in 5,129 Posts
Default

Give up a stringer of fish. LOL!

I laugh because I did the same thing.

Bear was happy. But my dad wasn't.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 07-07-2010, 02:29 PM
keith44spl's Avatar
keith44spl keith44spl is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Red River Valley
Posts: 7,690
Likes: 13,045
Liked 28,605 Times in 5,151 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jst1mr View Post
I have given ground in berry patches and once even given up a stringer of fish, but I don't begrudge them their place in the grand scheme of things.

Jst,

I might have give him the right of way and two fish...

But, the whole darn string?


I once gave one a whole darn Caribou, hocks and all,

Su Amigo,
Dave
__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 07-07-2010, 02:34 PM
Forester's Avatar
Forester Forester is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central New Hampshire
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 159
Liked 250 Times in 73 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jst1mr View Post
I interact with bears constantly, oftentimes in my back yard - as Dave points out you learn to "read" them, much as someone like a delivery man learns to read a dog's intentions. Respect them and don't provoke or tempt them...few or no problems. Poke an iphone in their face, then run like a crazed ostrich....well, good luck. When you're in bear country, it is YOUR obligation to understand them. If I cut loose a volley of lead everytime a bear and I were checking each other out I could carpet the entire house in bearskin rugs. I have given ground in berry patches and once even given up a stringer of fish, but I don't begrudge them their place in the grand scheme of things.
This.

I think you have to work at getting attacked by a black bear. At least here in the east. Children alone may be a different thing.
__________________
All Rights Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 07-07-2010, 03:44 PM
Pasifikawv Pasifikawv is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 521
Likes: 79
Liked 100 Times in 43 Posts
Default

Red River Gorge is an awesome place to hike and camp. Went there several times in my college days. Never saw a bear, tho...
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 07-07-2010, 03:49 PM
Krull Krull is offline
Banned
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WV,AKA the outback of USA
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Here's a fact to absorb into your head:animals in the forest may try to chew on you,granted that is a rare thing but it can happen.

Carry something with you,bear spray or better spray AND a gun and you'll be fine,if they get funny and want to try a sample of your body let them know you can,and will,bite back in your own way.

I talk to animals of all kinds,usually something on the lines of "Hey furball! watch'a doin? I'm just passing through,don't worry" I do have a gun in my hand when I do this,but they know I'm not a snack-so far.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 07-07-2010, 04:48 PM
NFrameFred's Avatar
NFrameFred NFrameFred is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WV
Posts: 3,584
Likes: 487
Liked 4,372 Times in 1,008 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Forester View Post
This.

I think you have to work at getting attacked by a black bear. At least here in the east. Children alone may be a different thing.
Depends on what time of the year you encounter them. As a young man I worked a survey crew in some pretty rugged hill country where the dozer roads wound in and out of the points and hollows sharply and there were known bears in the area. Although it was against company policy I was carrying concealed as I did not want to round a turn with an armload of equipment and come face to face with a sow that felt an intruder was threatening her cubs - that will get you attacked anytime.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 07-07-2010, 08:30 PM
Nathan Forrest's Avatar
Nathan Forrest Nathan Forrest is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jst1mr View Post
I interact with bears constantly, oftentimes in my back yard - as Dave points out you learn to "read" them, much as someone like a delivery man learns to read a dog's intentions. Respect them and don't provoke or tempt them...few or no problems. Poke an iphone in their face, then run like a crazed ostrich....well, good luck. When you're in bear country, it is YOUR obligation to understand them. If I cut loose a volley of lead everytime a bear and I were checking each other out I could carpet the entire house in bearskin rugs. I have given ground in berry patches and once even given up a stringer of fish, but I don't begrudge them their place in the grand scheme of things.
Very well said.. Thanks for a voice of reason.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 07-07-2010, 08:47 PM
The Last Standing Knight The Last Standing Knight is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 736
Liked 1,410 Times in 535 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Well, you certainly have a point about Bear Grylls! He's more into making dramatic TV shows than he is into teaching real survival techniques. And guys like Steve Irwin and a South African whose name escapes me at the moment (Austin Stevens?) got far too casual with reptiles. Stevens actually got bitten by a cobra that he was harrassing for the camera.

I think that many snakes hounded on TV have just been released from a cold box and aren't themselves yet. And Irwin reportedly worked with selected docile examples from his zoo much of the time. When he went to Africa, the snakes there were much less tolerant of him, and he kept exclaiming about it! He took very foolish chances witrh a big Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) and caught a black mamba by the tail. It nearly tagged him, which would have been a disaster. Without very prompt access to antivenin and proper medical care (which was distant), victims of mamba bite have almost a 100% death rate. And a red spitting cobra almost got some venom into his eyes, despite his wearing glasses. The guy actually went up trees to approach a green mamba and a boomslang! The lethal dose for a boomslang bite is about 1.5 mg. Most cobra and mamba bites take about 15-20 mg. to kill an average 150 pound man in good shape. However, they often deliver more than that in a bite, and angry mambas and cobras often deliver multple bites.

Even Irwin admitted that he was "sweating bullets" by the time he'd bagged that mamba, and that he was in grave danger in those trees. His anxiety was evident.

I think some of these daring TV hosts are adrenaline junkies.
Anyone who photographs bears from a close distance has got rocks in the head.

T-Star
To be polite on a family forum, I must temper my commentary on Bear Grylls. I will suffice it to say only that he is a phony and I wouldn't even attempt to emulate his "techniques" in an actual survival situation.

Steve Irwin was a typical Austrailian (at least from the ones I have met); devil-may-care, take chances and give danger the big middle finger salute high in the air with a cocky attitude. I consider this an admirable trait. I attributed a lot of his stunts (which I found questionable to say the least) to sheer luck and divine intervention. In the end, his luck ran out and it was very sad. But in his passing, we are all reminded to give nature and her creatures the respect they are due. Enjoy them from a distance but be properly prepared in the event things go wrong. I'd rather explain to a Gane Warden or a jury why I shot a charging bear instead of being bear scat on a seldom used hiking trail.
__________________
The Last Standing Knight
Reply With Quote
  #31  
Old 07-07-2010, 09:40 PM
Forester's Avatar
Forester Forester is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central New Hampshire
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 159
Liked 250 Times in 73 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NFrameFred View Post
Depends on what time of the year you encounter them. As a young man I worked a survey crew in some pretty rugged hill country where the dozer roads wound in and out of the points and hollows sharply and there were known bears in the area. Although it was against company policy I was carrying concealed as I did not want to round a turn with an armload of equipment and come face to face with a sow that felt an intruder was threatening her cubs - that will get you attacked anytime.
Oh I agree. I posted my bear story on another forum a while back. For your enjoyment:

Quote:
I was walking through a pine forest on an old, moss covered skid trail. Moss coverings make for very quiet walking. I was contemplating how to lay out new skid trails and access the stand for a planned timber harvest. It was mid summer, or so and I was totally engrossed in what I was doing. So much that I blundered right in to a real bad situation.

I heard a noise and turned my head to see what it was. First thing I saw was a bear cub scurrying up a tree. Next, another cub stood on it's hind legs, sniffed the air in my direction, and proceeded to start walking toward me at a brisk pace. Not quite a run. Much as I would have liked to pet that little guy, I new this was bad. Without looking around, I raised my arms over my head, waiving them frantically and yelled at that cub. It skidded to a halt about 20 feet from me and found another tree worthy of his best impression of his sibling.

It was at this very moment I heard a noise to my right. Wanna guess what that was? [IMG]http://www.*************************/images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif[/IMG] Yep. Mama bear and she was none too pleased. She was about 50 feet away or so and started running toward me. I immediately (I panicked) turned to run. Two steps in to my flight the voice in my head said "Don't run!" So as I turned around, I was greeted with the sight of that bear 10 feet from me. When I turned, she also stopped. She backed off a bit but was stomping the ground with her paws, in a very stiff like manner. She was also showing me what great teeth she had, snapping her jaw at me.

She did several of these "false" charges at me, all the while I was yelling and screaming and waving my arms around. I wasn't regularly carrying back in those days. Once, I even looked down to see a good sized tree branch on the ground. Thinking I had something I could use as a club, I reached down to grab it, only to have it fall apart in my hands when I raised it up. Rotten.

Well, after some time of this, which was probably only a minute but felt like much more, she finally retreated back to about 50 feet but was still snapping her jaw and stomping the ground. By this time I had stopped yelling and told her, more calmly than I felt, that it was alright and that she could just calm down. [IMG]http://www.*************************/images/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif[/IMG]

I figured it was safe then to try to get out of there. I backed away from her for a bit, then took a deep breath and turned my back on her, walking briskly away. I looked back over my shoulder after going about 50 feet and she and the cubs were gone. They knew when the getting was good too.

I left the woodlot for another day. Figured it was time to catch up on some paperwork.
__________________
All Rights Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 07-08-2010, 09:35 AM
Jst1mr Jst1mr is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Woods and Lakes
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 512
Liked 1,501 Times in 442 Posts
Default

Great story, Forester! I've had a bear climb up the tree I had a portable stand in, apparently to understand what that strange blob in the tree was (all right, I'm not a small guy - a "friend" once advised that me in a tree stand must bear a striking resemblance to a water tower..), Anyway, once the bear got close to the floor of the stand and got a snoot full of understanding, he beat a very comical retreat. Does heighten the senses when you walk out after dark, though.....
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 07-09-2010, 01:04 AM
Doc Mark's Avatar
Doc Mark Doc Mark is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 251
Likes: 66
Liked 42 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Evening, All,

We live in a mountainous area, and you never really know what's going to be waiting for you when you go outside. Most of the time, when I go out in the forest around our home, I have a pistol with me, but early this morning, I broke that rule, and went out to investigate a noise at our trash cans! (Can you say, "BAD Doc"!!!?? Sure, I knew that you could! )

In any case, I padded down the front deck stairs in my PJ's and slippers, and saw one of our trash cans, which had been setout last night for pickup today, in the middle of the street on it's side, top off. Still too sleepy to be thinking properly, I went down the driveway, and out to retrieve our can and it's lid. After putting it back where it belonged, and noting a few new tooth holes in the lid, I realized that "something" had gotten into our trash! And, about 30 seconds after that, I saw that "something"!! There, sitting right across the street, pretty as you please, was a young male black bear, and he was a big one, slowly pawing through the bag he'd just lifted from our trash can!! I estimate his weight at between 275 and 350lbs, and his paws were very wide, indeed!! He paid me no heed, at all, thankfully, so I very slowly backed up our driveway, all 75 feet of it, and went back into the house. After a bit of thought, I retrieved a proper pistol, and my camera, and very quietly crept back downstairs, to take a few photos of Mr. Bruin. He was still happily munching on a chicken carcass, which I'd enjoyed for the last few nights, and was eating it, Reynolds Wrap, and all!! (He'll be poopin' tinsel for a week, or so, me thinks! )

I got a few photos, and then, not wanting to press my luck, went back upstairs, thankful that our breakfast guest was busy feeding himself, and not interested in me. Note, for the entire time that I watched him, from beginning to end, he was calm, ears normal, and quite content to feed from the trash. Had he been "interested" in me, or laid back his ears, snapped his jaws, or any other of the signs bears offer when pissed, or not happy about you being there, I'd have never gone back down in the first place!! One other thing is that I will NEVER again go out there without a proper pistol on my person, for any reason!! We've had bears on our roof before, as well as mountain lions. So, I know better, actually, than to do what I did today. Next time, I might not be so lucky. So, I'll not make that mistake again...

Please check out the photos, and see what you think. Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCN2833.jpg (60.3 KB, 33 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN2834.jpg (62.4 KB, 31 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN2830.jpg (50.6 KB, 31 views)
__________________
Honor God, above all.

Last edited by Doc Mark; 07-09-2010 at 01:08 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 07-09-2010, 07:20 AM
BarbC's Avatar
BarbC BarbC is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central FL
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 468
Liked 527 Times in 181 Posts
Default

Yep - the Ubiquitous Semi-Suburban Trash Bear. We've got 'em here too. The one below in the trash was across the street at the neighbor's last year. The bear couple have no shame at all. The last bear photo is the one that came through this week on the way to other neighbors that had left their trash out the whole weekend. Yesterday evening, a baby bear came cantering across our drive. They all know the trash pickup schedule.

The rule of thumb is never put your garbage out until the morning of pickup. We also stash our food scraps in a freezer bag until trash day so that the garage doesn't smell like bear snacks.

Sadie was on the deck the evening this week's bear came through our yard. Since she had already treed two of them, she ran down the steps with her little growl, thinking he was as big as he seemed from the second story deck. Of course, when she got there, he was much larger. He swung his head at her and she said, "I hear my daddy calling!" and ran back up the steps.

Don't challenge them for what they want and there won't be any problems.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2000.jpg (56.4 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg Bears.jpg (55.6 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg Bear4.jpg (16.4 KB, 22 views)

Last edited by BarbC; 07-09-2010 at 07:24 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 07-09-2010, 10:34 AM
slowburninsteve's Avatar
slowburninsteve slowburninsteve is offline
Member
When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack When Black Bears Attack  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 856
Likes: 39
Liked 64 Times in 23 Posts
Default

Sometimes a bear is mistaken for one of these........

Definitely nothing to sneeze at either!!!!!!!!!
Steve
__________________
Steve
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
44 magnum, concealed, sig arms, springfield, stevens

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Black bears on Black Rock Mountain ColbyBruce The Lounge 14 01-18-2017 07:25 AM
The Three bears (S&W's) 3S16 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 15 08-11-2016 07:54 PM
Got bears now! G.T. Smith The Lounge 9 09-12-2013 06:32 PM
Concealable Revolver for Black Bears? kbm6893 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 75 05-12-2010 11:13 PM
Poll....Hunting Black Bears in New Jersey Y/N moonclip 2nd Amendment Forum 1 03-15-2010 11:36 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:30 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)