Alaska bear attack

[mc5aw]

Stories about animals attacks are chilling. This one from FoxNews is terrible. Though I'm not as well versed in nature as many other Forum members, it doesn't sound like the work of a black bear.

Alaskans chime in with expert opinions ...


Man killed in bear mauling in Alaska, troopers say | Fox News

 

[Kanewpadle]

Stories about animals attacks are chilling. This one from FoxNews is terrible. Though I'm not as well versed in nature as many other Forum members, it doesn't sound like the work of a black bear.

Alaskans chime in with expert opinions ...


Man killed in bear mauling in Alaska, troopers say | Fox News

Having grown up there I was always told that a black bear can be more unpredictable than a brown. More apt to stalk and kill a person and much more willing to confront a man than a brown.

We had a cabin like this out in the middle of nowhere. Right next to a game trail. Took us an hour and a half to put the boat in the water and another hour and a half to get to the cabin!

We would use a weed eater to knock down the grass in a 100 yard radius. And we ALWAYS had a 12 ga close by.

The bear used to walk right by us. We never had a problem because we paid attention and saw them coming.

Sad what happened and I don't know exactly what happened but you must be prepared to protect yourself.

 

[BillyMagg]

Stories about animals attacks are chilling. This one from FoxNews is terrible. Though I'm not as well versed in nature as many other Forum members, it doesn't sound like the work of a black bear.

Alaskans chime in with expert opinions ...


Man killed in bear mauling in Alaska, troopers say | Fox News

Bears are large carnivores, they often kill and return to the carcass after it begins to decompose, anyone hiking, camping or fishing in bear country should be armed, pistol, rifle, AR-15, shotgun with slugs, whatever, even pepper spray is better than nothing. I am also on the Road Bike review forum and a member reported being chased by a large brown bear, he was saved by a local fisherman in a pick-up who saw what was happening and intercepted the bear with his truck. So don't go alone or unarmed into areas with aggressive wild-life without being armed, period...... billy magg

Yes I have been pursued by aggressive people and aggressive animals, best to avoid both, an African Pastor, Titus, was pursued by a large rhino up a tree, when Titus arrived at a lofty crotch in the tree, he was confronted by a Black Mamba, needless to say he prayed quickly and jumped out of the tree, fortunately the Rhino had wandered off and lost interest. billy

 

[MORSNO]

Bears are opportunists that are constantly on the hunt for food plain and simple. I had a young grizzly come through my yard yesterday around 9pm (sunset is after 11:30pm this time of year). He was going from house to house checking out every trash can, vehicle, and yard, looking for an easy meal. They learn where the food opportunities are, and will seek humans if that is where an easy meal can be found. We learn to live with them, not feed them, and not cross their path while on their hunt for food (on purpose anyway).

As for whether the bear in the attached story was a black or brown bear, they both will attack if needed for a meal. We have huge black bears up here that will kill for food just like a brown bear will.

Here's a picture of a young Griz that was in my yard a few years ago around the same time of year as now (June 21st actually).


Black bear about 50' from where the Griz was in the last photo. There was a Yamaha Kodiak under the tarp, maybe he was looking for a friend.


Neither of these bears threatened me, or found any easy meals that would make them want to hunt regularly here.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Down our way, Black Bears are a bigger threat simply because they are more in contact with humans. In Alaska, I dare say more attacks occur because of the bear getting surprised. There are no absolutes to any of this, but from what I read, the blackie was old and could be he couldn't hunt as he did when younger. There are MANY things that could of entered into this. Smell will attract them as well. As said above, you need to be ready at all times. My Son just reloacated to the lower 48 after over 20 years in Alaska with never a real problem in all His ramblings. I like to think I taught him well. Still, it can happen in a second, to anyone. One would think the man might have been better prepared, but we could second guess all day and never find the real answer to this one. It does happen, sad to say. Sorry for the family as well as they more than likely had to watch it happen.

 

[LVSteve]

Stories about animals attacks are chilling. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/0...uling-in-alaska-troopers-say/?test=latestnews

Maybe I'm a bit weird, but I never find such things chilling. If you go somewhere and the top predator is better than you, there is always the chance you may get tagged. Maybe it's because I do not share the widespread human conceit that the laws of the jungle do not apply to us.

My condolences to the gentleman's family.

 

[quneur]

There's alot of country north of Fairbanks. When I went there in the late '90s, we stayed fairly much indoors due to the amount of mosquitos. Each step on the tundra and a cloud of mosquitos would swarm around you. A week after we left, a man was attacked and killed by a brown in the area.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

This appears to be a problem that has crossed international borders.

It's a tough old world out there!

 

[PA Reb]

I feel terribly bad for the victim, the person that had to see it happen, and the victim's family BUT, I've said it before and I'll say it again, one must be ready for anything when they venture into the wild animal's realm. What really shocks me is that there aren't alot more of these encounters / "attacks". With the warm weather upon us, I suppose we'll be reading more about all those mean and nasty sharks "attacking people"! Sorry but man is not the top predator in this world and as long as the beasts are out there, bad news will always be the news!

 

[arjay]

I have a ditzy sister that recently moved into the foothills.Tells me her bird feeder is being knocked down at night.I tell her to bring it in as she's got a bear hanging around.Yesterday morning she sends me a cell phone photo of a young bear chowing down about 12 feet away
I swear...

 

[mc5aw]

I feel terribly bad for the victim, the person that had to see it happen, and the victim's family BUT, I've said it before and I'll say it again, one must be ready for anything when they venture into the wild animal's realm. What really shocks me is that there aren't alot more of these encounters / "attacks". With the warm weather upon us, I suppose we'll be reading more about all those mean and nasty sharks "attacking people"! Sorry but man is not the top predator in this world and as long as the beasts are out there, bad news will always be the news!

This is what I was referring to when I mentioned "chilling". Man's savagery against man is a historical constant, and I think most people become somewhat indifferent after seeing/reading so many stories on a regular basis. But Man vs. Animal encounters are the ones that get big publicity simply because of the infrequency and primal nature of what has occurred. Whether an attack by bear, shark, big cat, cow moose, even bees, the animal kingdom vs. man is always a terrifying battle as it's not fought on our turf. The worst I've ever dealt with is a couple angry domesticated dogs, so a confrontation by anything more is inconceivable to me, although I know it would be ugly. Reb has made the point on numerous occasions ... be prepared when you're on Mother Nature's home field ... we're guests, not hosts, and it's our responsibility to tread lightly.

Here in PA (bordering NYS), there are constant reports of big cats. Everyone knows Nittany Lions are out and about, along with black bear, and other potentially dangerous critters. Because of the wildlife, when I moved here some years ago, I immediately upgraded my woods CCW to a .44 from a .38. I don't anticipate any problematic encounters in the forest, but it is good to be prepared ... just in case. And I always shake my head when I see hikers in the State Parks armed with nothing more than water bottles and iPods. To each his own, I suppose.