A serious bear thread ...

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Ask yourself what you would have done differently had you not known ahead of time, as the young man did not, that this bear would have been encountered. If you did not own a gun, and went hiking with a group of friends on a nice autumn day, could you reasonably have done much differently than he did?

But I DO own a gun. Why didn't he? For various reasons, most of them ugly, stupid or lazy, some people don't own guns. That's their right. But I don't have to call them smart or noble. That's my right. And there are some places I don't go, gun or not, because I'm not smart enough or bad enough to handle what those places may have in store for me.

Or, to put it more eloquently,

Darwin didn't get it quite right, it's not the survival of the fit but survival of the smart. Shame all that education didn't help the kid one bit.

P.S. To answer your actual question directly, I would not have gone out into the woods without a gun, and if I encountered a couple going in the opposite direction claiming that a bear was following them, I would have placed my right toe behind my left heel and done an about face. That's what sane people do.

 

[just jim]

Ask yourself what you would have done differently had you not known ahead of time, as the young man did not, that this bear would have been encountered. If you did not own a gun, and went hiking with a group of friends on a nice autumn day, could you reasonably have done much differently than he did?

It appears to me that the group should not have taken photos while the bear was approximately 100 yards away and moving toward them. They did, though, and then -- prudently -- began to retreat. But the bear followed, and when the group ran, the bear apparently chased the most opportune target. The young man was attempting to escape, and yelled to his friends to contine running away -- which I think was an extremely brave act under the circumstances. It is a tragedy that he lost his life.

Worked outdoors most of my life plus hunted and back packed as a pastime. Lots of ways to die out there and one should educate themselves of the dangers. Fellow dieing that way was a good education to those who can learn. Every year the uneducated are there to teach us all what dangers are around us. He didn't die for nothing.

Out here we have lots of animals that can kill, two legged and four. If you are going to sparrow yourself out all alone it's prudent to learn how to protect yourself.

 

[jlrhiner]

Couldn't he have picked up a stick?

 

[vigil617]

vigil ... The link you posted notes that the published photo of the approaching bear was taken from ~ 100 FEET not yards, which indicates that the victim was still not in full flight mode despite the bear being extremely close. I think that fact is telling, in that it shows that at least one of the hiking party did not fully appreciate the peril they were in until it was too late. The linked article also notes that the group of students was warned by a couple coming in the opposite direction about a bear following them ... that to me is a red flag not to be ignored. Additionally noted is the fleeing students did not break ranks until the pursuing bear was ~ 15 feet away from them. That is two running strides for an adult bear, and again indicates the group waited too long to appreciate the danger they were in, allowing the bear to close sooner than they expected.

As to doing anything differently, I believe that is a moot question simply because we (Forum members) look at the situation from a different lens ... one as hunters, outdoorsmen, or simply those more experienced with nature than the student hikers. I can only speak to my lone up-close-and-personal encounter with a black bear, and my first inclination was to freeze and monitor the bear's movement, NOT take nature photos. The bear I rolled up on was a juvenile, ~150 lbs, foraging roughly 30 yards to my right. Once I saw him, I stopped and tried to become invisible ... I had three limited choices: Run up the mountain trail; run down the mountain trail; stand my ground and wait. I opted for the third choice, and once the bear showed no interest in me, I went my way up the trail. I will note that on my way back down later on, I was VERY wary of where the bear might be, and was extremely attentive sight-wise and sound-wise, as well as ready with my revolver.

Maybe this was simply a case of Fate ... wrong place, wrong time ... for the victim. After reading the article, I was struck by the tragic randomness of the encounter.

You're right about that part of the article, mc5aw; I also read that the bear was first sighted by the group at about 300 feet away, approaching, and that they did not retreat until the bear reached 100 feet away. Too close, to be sure, but they didn't perceive the threat, and it was a fatal mistake for the one guy.

The others who have chimed in about the dangers posed by not having a gun, and of needing a healthy respect for the wilderness, are absolutely right. I myself would not venture into any kind of wilderness now, without packing some kind of handgun. However, in my more youthful and energetic life, I hiked and camped extensively as a Scout and as an enthusiast in many wilderness areas, especially in Western North Carolina and on the Appalachian Trail, and never carried a gun of any kind.

I never felt threatened (except by skunks ), and if I had encountered a bear at the same kind of range that this young man did, I am sure I would have begun retreating -- probably in headlong flight -- before he got as close as 100 feet.

But, if I had encountered him at 100 feet first, the very same thing could have happened to me that happened to him. I see that now, and I think I was fortunate that I never had to test my wheels against a bear's.

I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to me that these kids were doing anything especially dangerous, negligent, or uncalled-for under their circumstances. As it turned out, they made mistakes, but none that many, many others (including those comfortable in the woods) would not have made too.

 

[badge]

City folk generally are not well schooled in the woods. Not their natural environment. Whenever I am in the woods be it in Wyoming or Pennsylvania I carry bear spray and a Heavy handgun just because. I reckon your not paranoid if some really is following you.

 

[jtcarm]

I think the biggest mistake people make is assuming that if they get too close all wildlife will just flee.Most will,but some get a little pissy.

Or assuming they can outrun such a big, lumbering animal.

 

[arjay]

One of my more "fun" experiences was trying to dodge a pissed off mama moose while running backwards in and around the aspens [emoji1]She didn't even break out of a slow trot with her calf following along lol

 

[kaaskop49]

But I DO own a gun. Why didn't he? For various reasons, most of them ugly, stupid or lazy, some people don't own guns. That's their right. But I don't have to call them smart or noble. That's my right. And there are some places I don't go, gun or not, because I'm not smart enough or bad enough to handle what those places may have in store for me.

IIRC, the incident took place in New Jersey with severe gun laws. Could the individual have legally taken a gun into the woods? Handgun or longarm? What laws would he have violated, if any? Also, the simple fact that some folks are not gun people and may never have been exposed to firearms.

Also, does one have the skill to hit a charging animal with a heavy caliber handgun?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[roundgunner]

Bear portraits...

 

[pete-driver]

You don't have to run fast, just faster than whom ever your with.

 

[just jim]

Guys in the hunting party used to ask me what works for bears. Told them I carry a 25 auto. They look at you in disbelief until you explain it's used to shoot one of them to slow them down while I get away. Lol lol

 

[schgsd]

I find it very interesting that the first version I read of this had no mention of the warning by the couple before they went into the woods. Edited to seem like they were just out for a walk and lo this tragedy.

2 years ago I learned of a bear that tore up someones bird feeder within 5 miles of where I am located. If the weathers good I grab my M&P 15 to walk my dog at night. Otherwise I'll slip my 9mm into a coat pocket if it's actively raining or snowing like tonight.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

But I DO own a gun. Why didn't he? For various reasons, most of them ugly, stupid or lazy, some people don't own guns. That's their right. But I don't have to call them smart or noble. That's my right. And there are some places I don't go, gun or not, because I'm not smart enough or bad enough to handle what those places may have in store for me.

IIRC, the incident took place in New Jersey with severe gun laws. Could the individual have legally taken a gun into the woods? Handgun or longarm? What laws would he have violated, if any? Also, the simple fact that some folks are not gun people and may never have been exposed to firearms.

Also, does one have the skill to hit a charging animal with a heavy caliber handgun?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

New Jersey is one of the places I don't go to. Almost as bad as walking towards a bear that sane people are walking away from. I agree, as would probably most of us, that a handgun is not at all a guarantee against a charging bear. Probably not even favorable odds.

 

[keith44spl]

I'll start by saying, "I like and respect all bears....Large and small."

What I don't like, is a bear that wants to bite and maul around on my carcass whilst I'm going about my business.

While elk hunting, this lit'l blackie took exception to me being in his bailiwick and attempted to crawl up my britches leg....Let's jest say, I'll take exception to that 'most every time.

A .348 Winchester, 250gr. Silver Tip settled the matter at spittin distance and now he's hangin' in my den...Instead of me lay outside of his....




No one plans to fail....They's just fail to plan.


.

 

[Sprefix]

All I can say here is Beretta Jetfire .22 short........

 

[ironhead7544]

Recently, an over 13 foot gator was taken on Lake Seminole. I live a couple of hundred yards from the Flint River, at the top of the lake. Thinking of upgrading my CCW to a M69. Lots of big gators are being taken in GA. Will be more careful when fishing.

Wildlife dangers are everywhere. We also have black bears and plenty of rattlers and water moccasins.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Deer are quite large here in Wyoming, the more so compared to the ones in South Carolina. They are also all over the place.

Several days ago, a large doe was grazing in the front yard as I returned from taking my older sons to school. My two and a half year old pointed at the big strange furry thing and screaming in terrror, which confused the deer.

I told him it was just a deer and not to be afraid.

At that point my four year old said, "Do deers eat people?"

"Not usually," I replied.

Seeming to think it over briefly, my four year old then said, "So sometimes they maybe do eat people. Better shoot them."

Shrug. At least they know not to try to pet things.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Deer may not eat people, but they still kill more than all the wolves, bears and big cats combined. Better shoot them. And shoot them. And shoot them some more.

 

[just jim]

Lots of city people don't want their dogs so they dump them in the country. Run into a pack of ferrel dogs and life will get very interesting real quick. Lots of mountain lions out here since they outlawed hunting them with dogs. Won't be long before they run out of food and start hunting people. They brave our cities all ready.

Deal is out here they still think more of human life than animal life so we carry guns. Doesn't look like that is going to be true much longer.

 

[vigil617]

I'll start by saying, "I like and respect all bears....Large and small."

What I don't like, is a bear that wants to bite and maul around on my carcass whilst I'm going about my business.

While elk hunting, this lit'l blackie took exception to me being in his bailiwick and attempted to crawl up my britches leg....Let's jest say, I'll take exception to that 'most every time.

A .348 Winchester, 250gr. Silver Tip settled the matter at spittin distance and now he's hangin' in my den...Instead of me lay outside of his....




No one plans to fail....They's just fail to plan.


.

Keith, did you by chance weigh him out? The one that killed the hiker was about 300 pounds. Looking at the choppers on the one you shot, I can't imagine what it would be like to be bitten by a bear of that size. Claws on the one that killed the hiker also were involved, as tissue was found on them. What about the claws on yours -- length?