04-30-2009, 08:27 PM
Ive spent 11 years fishing the Russian River up here in Alaska where human/bear encounters are a daily occurence. We usually have an attack or mauling at least once a year, and actually had two here in Anchorage just off the running trails. In my experience the best thing you can do is give the bear a HEALTHY dose of respect and be ever aware of your situation and where you are. They rarely go from zero to full on charge, there are plenty of warning signs. Pawing at the dirt, huffing at you, false charging are all USUALLY precursors to them coming after you for real.
There are exceptions to the rule of course, If you are between Momma and her cub all bets are off, if she deems you a threat get ready for a tangle. If the bear is hungry again its a different dynamic, you either have something it wants as food or sees you as food. Grizzly bears/Browns usually attack because they deem you a threat and will only beat you up until they no longer see you as such, which is why they tell you to go into the feetle position with your hands locked over the back of your neck to protect yourself and be able to weather the beating till the bear loses interest. Black bears on the other hand I have had numerous wildlife biologist tell me if a Black attacks you they mean to end you and eat you.
I have had countless bears come within 10 feet of me, grab a salmon carcass and head back into the woods. I carry a Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag and have never once in 11 years here in Alaska had to pull it. When hiking back to camp with a backpack of fish making noise with bear bells or just a couple rocks in an empty can works great. I dont advocate the use of pepper spray as it never gave me the feeling of security that 4 pounds of steel on my hip did.
The joke up here is you carry a .22 and a can of pepper spray. The .22 to shoot your buddy in the leg so your faster and the pepper spray to season him for the bear.
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There are exceptions to the rule of course, If you are between Momma and her cub all bets are off, if she deems you a threat get ready for a tangle. If the bear is hungry again its a different dynamic, you either have something it wants as food or sees you as food. Grizzly bears/Browns usually attack because they deem you a threat and will only beat you up until they no longer see you as such, which is why they tell you to go into the feetle position with your hands locked over the back of your neck to protect yourself and be able to weather the beating till the bear loses interest. Black bears on the other hand I have had numerous wildlife biologist tell me if a Black attacks you they mean to end you and eat you.
I have had countless bears come within 10 feet of me, grab a salmon carcass and head back into the woods. I carry a Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag and have never once in 11 years here in Alaska had to pull it. When hiking back to camp with a backpack of fish making noise with bear bells or just a couple rocks in an empty can works great. I dont advocate the use of pepper spray as it never gave me the feeling of security that 4 pounds of steel on my hip did.
The joke up here is you carry a .22 and a can of pepper spray. The .22 to shoot your buddy in the leg so your faster and the pepper spray to season him for the bear.
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