bear attacks

[fishonbb]

I'm new to this section so bear with me. I read of a black bear attack in 1948 up in the u.p. has this happened any other time or was this a freak occurrance? The bear in the article was 125 pounds and very hungry and yes it was fatal.

[sullyxlh]

I read that too,while I don't know if that was a rare occurance,I do know that any animal of that caliber,If hungary enough,will seek out any kind of food,and that's what she was to him,us as humans,are not exempt from the food chain(contrary to what many people think).

[rancid]

Most bear attacks in michigan involved females with cubs.

[fishonbb]

This bear was a rogue bear that was very thin and the story was very sad but they said if a bear does attack like that to fight it off with anything and it SHOULD run away.

[Big Game]

From a book called "Killer Bears" that was published in 1981, there have been a total of 5 bear attacks in Michigan. These were the documented ones and not all of them were fatal.

Now the difference between Blacks and Grizzlies is that if a grizzly charges you stand your ground, whatever you do don't run. Grizzlies will more than likely bluff and when they get close to you turn away. If you run, it could trigger the predator instinct in them and they may see you as prey.

If a black bear charges you, your only option is to fight it off by whatever means you have on hand. Blacks don't bluff so it's for real if they came after you.

That should make all you first timers a little more "relaxed" when heading out to check your baits this season. Kind of reminds me of the bait hunter I saw while out running bears. He was standing by his truck watching over a berry patch. I asked him why he wasn't in the blind seeing how it was prime hunting time. He said he sat there earlier but made his way out of the swamp while it was still light. I kind of think he had heard too many stories.

I was talking with a friend of mine about how they had done this weekend running their dogs. I guess they had a run going and it went into a thick swamp. A couple guys headed in to see how things were going. The bear wouldn't tree. It was just walking in front of the dogs. I guess one guy got in front of where he heard the dogs going and it was so thick he couldn't see only but 5 feet in front of him. He heard the trees snapping and before he could move the bear was right on him. He said it lunged for him once and the dogs came in and distracted it. That bear never treed but it did catch a few of the dogs. Nothing serious they said though.

[Rustyaxecamp]

This bear was a rogue bear that was very thin and the story was very sad but they said if a bear does attack like that to fight it off with anything and it SHOULD run away.

Good advice, but it's probably easier said than done when a bear is running away with your little girl and you are a little housewife (I assume that's the attack your talking about).

Just remember, they're more afraid of you than you are of them.....;)

[Knight]

I have always read that, if the grizzly actually attacks you, you are supposed to play dead and lay in a fetal position, covering your head and neck with your hands.

Same as what Big Game said for Black bears, if one charges you, get ready for a fight.

You could always carry one of them "bear walking sticks" they sell especially around Yellowstone, you know the ones that have the big jingle bells on them. :D

Just have a plan when you go out in the woods. Know what you would do if one attacked. The key is to be prepared and not worry about it too much, enjoy the woods.

[lilfishy]

You know how to tell bear poop from other animal poop. It's full of little hiker bells.:lol:

[WILDCATWICK]

Yes there have been other fatal attacks. I remember a fatal one that occured in the Porkies. There was a small group, I beleive college aged, who hiked down little carp trail to the mouth of it on Lake superior. At some point one of them had spotted a black bear. Not knowing what to do one of them climbed a tree. Well the bear was a female. Not sure exactly where her cubs were the reaction was to attack the person in the tree who probably appeared to be going after her cubs. She wound up breaking a ton of branches and swiped the guy down out of the tree. The fall itself killed him.

I have had a black bear stand up on me and "pop" it's jaws. That was pretty exciting. But I've had ton of encounters and have read alot about them so as exciting as it was I realized that it was just trying to tell me that I'm the one that needs to move. It's basically drawing a line in the sand. But if you run, yes it can trigger the predatory instincts. I just slowly started backing away and continued to be vocal towards it.

The scariest occurance that made me most worried was down in the smokies. WE were back country on a week long hike and fish trip. One night a bear came right down off a ridge. We were cooking food. We got up and away from the food a by about 25 yards and started yelling and waving our arms to make ourselves appear big. That bear started pacing back and forth never for a second taking it's eyes off of us. That bear did not care about the food that was only a few yards away from it. After what felt like five minuits the bear slowly continued on wards toward the river. That bear without a doubt was trying to determine if we were easy prey or not. ONce again if we had not none bear habits real well it could have been a real problem.

[uptracker]

Big Game: Just FYI, black bears do false charge. I believe what you are thinking about is the fact that once they actually get ahold of you, it's an attack until death. BUT, they have to get ahold of you first.

[chuckinduck]

I was just going to second that UPTracker. I had the unfortunate pleasure of experiencing a false charge back in 92. I was only 12 at the time, but I was leaving our outhouse and walking back to the cabin. Bears had been a problem on our property for a number of years due to a garbage dump we had100 yds beyond the cabin. Every year it was something else, but this particular year they were thick. As I got out of the outhouse I was returning to the cabin only to find a small bear (130-150lbs) in my path about 15 yards away. I stopped and it started popping its jaws, the second I backed up it did a short three of four step bluff charge. I backed right back into the outhouse and yelled. my dad ended up scaring it off with the shotgun. Two days later that same bear ripped the screen off the window to our cabin and got in our cabin and was eating pastries, and bread when a friend walked through the door From that year on, we've no longer had a dump behind our cabin.

[FISH]

I read that too,while I don't know if that was a rare occurance,I do know that any animal of that caliber,If hungary enough,will seek out any kind of food,and that's what she was to him,us as humans,are not exempt from the food chain(contrary to what many people think).

i hope SQUIRRELS NEVER turn into to eating humans:help:

i 'll be wearin a cup if they do turn though

[Beagle_Dan]

Interesting info. I live in the Howard City area now (west) and was told by a guy a mile down the road from me about a bear he saw in his backyard just after the 4th of July. Couple months ago one was shot down near Sand Lake.

I have been trying to console the fears of my wife and son, and told my boy to "play dead" and hide his face, covering his head if a bear attacked him. Is this not the right advice with a black bear? I've told him (he's 12 yrs old) that bears are more scared of humans than we are of them, but I don't think I convinced my boy or my wife with that statement.

Can anyone give some strong, accurate advice on what to do if you meet a black bear in your backyard or woods in back of your place?
-Beagle- ;)

[David G Duncan]

A leading Black Bear biologist by the name of Dr. Lynn Rogers has documented hundreds of bluff charges by female black bears with cubs. He indicates in the video "The Bear Facts with Bow & Arrow", that it would be very unusual for a female black bear to follow through with their bluff charge.

However, they can make it appear otherwise, with plenty of loud huffing.

In his studies, over many years, he would stop his vehicle every time they saw a female bear with cubs and jump out and run at the bears. The cubs would go up a tree and then they could capture the cubs and tag them. The mother bear would always charge them to within 20 feet, but never once did they follow through on their attack.

His advice is to stand tall and carry a strong stick. Black Bears respect size and a normal sized man will intimidate a (normal) black bear. If necessary, however a good blow to their snout with the stick, should send them running.

This all sounds good and personally am not afraid to meet a black bear in the woods, because if I thought I was the one being threatened, I would be the one on the attack! But then again I weigh as much as two average sized black bear.

I am pleased to report that I was succuessful in obtaining a bear permit for this fall and have been doing some scouting, with good luck. So I am hopefully that I will be harvesting a bruin come this September. But I will be carrying a 30-06, rather than a stick.

[WILDCATWICK]

Interesting info. I live in the Howard City area now (west) and was told by a guy a mile down the road from me about a bear he saw in his backyard just after the 4th of July. Couple months ago one was shot down near Sand Lake.

I have been trying to console the fears of my wife and son, and told my boy to "play dead" and hide his face, covering his head if a bear attacked him. Is this not the right advice with a black bear? I've told him (he's 12 yrs old) that bears are more scared of humans than we are of them, but I don't think I convinced my boy or my wife with that statement.

Can anyone give some strong, accurate advice on what to do if you meet a black bear in your backyard or woods in back of your place?
-Beagle- ;)

The first thing one needs to do is to evaluate the situation. Look around. Make sure that the bear can escape. You don't really want to start yelling if the only spot for it to escape is thru you. Basically you want to yell as loud as you can waving you're arms making yourself look big and tough. Bears want easy prey. Typically once you do this they leave as long as they have an escape route. Do not run! Do not climb trees! If the bear starts to charge throw a rock or what ever and get ready for a possible fight. Don't play dead. That is easy prey.

If for some reason there is no easy escape route for the bear before you try to scare off the bear move off so it can have a place to run away. Hopefully you'll never need to use any of these tactics. It's rare to have to even have to yell. But it's good to know. Kid's may want to wear a bear whistle. They feel a sort of protection with it and it does help.

[pescadero]

I have always read that, if the grizzly actually attacks you, you are supposed to play dead and lay in a fetal position, covering your head and neck with your hands.

Same as what Big Game said for Black bears, if one charges you, get ready for a fight.

This is basically the correct strategy according to bear expert Stephen Herrero, writer of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance.

When a grizzly attacks it is because they feel threatened (attacks, not charges) and playing dead will usually work as it removes the percieved threat. When a black bear attacks it is attacking you as a food source, and playing dead just makes you easy prey.

--
lp

[Dedge]

A leading Black Bear biologist by the name of Dr. Lynn Rogers has documented hundreds of bluff charges by female black bears with cubs. He indicates in the video "The Bear Facts with Bow & Arrow", that it would be very unusual for a female black bear to follow through with their bluff charge.

However, they can make it appear otherwise, with plenty of loud huffing.

In his studies, over many years, he would stop his vehicle every time they saw a female bear with cubs and jump out and run at the bears. The cubs would go up a tree and then they could capture the cubs and tag them. The mother bear would always charge them to within 20 feet, but never once did they follow through on their attack.

His advice is to stand tall and carry a strong stick. Black Bears respect size and a normal sized man will intimidate a (normal) black bear. If necessary, however a good blow to their snout with the stick, should send them running.

This all sounds good and personally am not afraid to meet a black bear in the woods, because if I thought I was the one being threatened, I would be the one on the attack! But then again I weigh as much as two average sized black bear.

I am pleased to report that I was succuessful in obtaining a bear permit for this fall and have been doing some scouting, with good luck. So I am hopefully that I will be harvesting a bruin come this September. But I will be carrying a 30-06, rather than a stick.


My father was telling me about this. We were talking about bear attacks and I stated something to the effect that a mother bear will attack and kill when with cubs. He promptly corrected me, and was telling me about a study done while he was with the DNR that stated exactly otherwhise. That actualy attacks were the exception, not the rule.

Dan

[mydogisscout]

This is basically the correct strategy according to bear expert Stephen Herrero, writer of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance.

When a grizzly attacks it is because they feel threatened (attacks, not charges) and playing dead will usually work as it removes the percieved threat. When a black bear attacks it is attacking you as a food source, and playing dead just makes you easy prey.--
lp

as a bear guide i've had wounded bears cross the trail less than 10 feet away and not attack. I have been within 10 feet (on the ground) of more than 30 different bears in michigan and Washington state, I have been growled at, had teeth bared at me (usually when walking into a bait and suprizing a feeding bruin) but never been charged or felt really threatened. the bears to watchout for are the bears coined "predatory bears" these bears will actually hunt for food rather than forage. (Fred Trost had a good example of a predatory bear on video that someone took in canada while fishing) if a Black bear attacks, fight...he plans on eating you. some years back when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington state, one of our company commanders went on TDY to Alaska. He and his wife rented a cabin up there, and during the night were awakened by a small 100-150# black bear at thier door. not being from bear country, they went out the bear window and climbed the ladder to the roof. after being cornered for an hour or so he decided to get help and while his wife distracted the bear, he climbed down and went for help. when he returned, his wife was gone. they found her 100 yds away dead, and almost half eaten.

[pescadero]

as a bear guide i've had wounded bears cross the trail less than 10 feet away and not attack. I have been within 10 feet (on the ground) of more than 30 different bears in michigan and Washington state, I have been growled at, had teeth bared at me (usually when walking into a bait and suprizing a feeding bruin) but never been charged or felt really threatened. the bears to watchout for are the bears coined "predatory bears" these bears will actually hunt for food rather than forage. (Fred Trost had a good example of a predatory bear on video that someone took in canada while fishing) if a Black bear attacks, fight...he plans on eating you. some years back when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington state, one of our company commanders went on TDY to Alaska. He and his wife rented a cabin up there, and during the night were awakened by a small 100-150# black bear at thier door. not being from bear country, they went out the bear window and climbed the ladder to the roof. after being cornered for an hour or so he decided to get help and while his wife distracted the bear, he climbed down and went for help. when he returned, his wife was gone. they found her 100 yds away dead, and almost half eaten.

Yep... it is VERY unusual for Black bears to attack, but when they do it is predatory in nature. With Brown/Grizzly bears it is more of a threat/dominance thing.

--
lp

[fishonbb]

I also read that when you play dead a bear will come up to you and sniff and examine you maybe knock you around some but they like meat that has cooked in the sun a couple of days. I heard also that heyiennas(spell check) on there own won't attack anything taller then them, i wonder if thats the same with black bears.

[pescadero]

For anyone interested in some info and data about bear attacks I highly recommend the book Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Stephen Herrero.

He is a researcher who works with Grizzlies in Banff National Park in Canada who has extensively studied bear attacks. A really interesting read.

--
lp

[uptracker]

A leading Black Bear biologist by the name of Dr. Lynn Rogers has documented hundreds of bluff charges by female black bears with cubs. He indicates in the video "The Bear Facts with Bow & Arrow", that it would be very unusual for a female black bear to follow through with their bluff charge.

However, they can make it appear otherwise, with plenty of loud huffing.

In his studies, over many years, he would stop his vehicle every time they saw a female bear with cubs and jump out and run at the bears. The cubs would go up a tree and then they could capture the cubs and tag them. The mother bear would always charge them to within 20 feet, but never once did they follow through on their attack.

His advice is to stand tall and carry a strong stick. Black Bears respect size and a normal sized man will intimidate a (normal) black bear. If necessary, however a good blow to their snout with the stick, should send them running.

This all sounds good and personally am not afraid to meet a black bear in the woods, because if I thought I was the one being threatened, I would be the one on the attack! But then again I weigh as much as two average sized black bear.

I am pleased to report that I was succuessful in obtaining a bear permit for this fall and have been doing some scouting, with good luck. So I am hopefully that I will be harvesting a bruin come this September. But I will be carrying a 30-06, rather than a stick.

I second that. I've not read much on him, but I know it's truth. I believe that he went on to say that a lot of bears bluff charged him over the years and he never really paid much attention to it because it happened so often. They usually got to within 20 ft. and backed off just as quickly.

[WILDCATWICK]

I also read that when you play dead a bear will come up to you and sniff and examine you maybe knock you around some but they like meat that has cooked in the sun a couple of days. I heard also that heyiennas(spell check) on there own won't attack anything taller then them, i wonder if thats the same with black bears.


I don't know about the size factor but I do know that if it looks like easy prey to them then they may go after it. As far as a black bear eating their prey they don't wait. All the instance I've read the bear killed their prey (human) and never left and began eating. Grizzlies may be different.

[JDubya]

I had the pleasure of running into a black bear while backpacking in the Olympic National Park. I had been hiking for almost an hour, switchback after switchback, and stopped to take a quick water break. As soon as I put my water away, I turned and headed down the trail and there was the bear about 30 yards away. I was by myself so I puffed myself as big as I could and yelled at the bear. He picked his head for a quick glance and went back to eating berries. I yelled again and nothing. So I back away slowly and headed back up the mountain. It was near dusk and I had planned on pitching a tent in the area, instead I hiked back to my truck and slept in it.

[Molson]

A history of orphaned cubs fending for themselves...


Was there in '02 and never saw a bear, but sure thought about them.

Guess they have been getting pretty bold this year.


http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html


RUSSIAN RIVER ANGLERS!

To prevent filleted carcasses from collecting in the shallows and attracting the bears, PLEASE chop up your carcasses into smaller pieces and throw them out into the main current for dispersal. Otherwise they pile up along the shoreline and sooner or later a bear will end up dying because of it. Thanks, -KK-
Addendum: See below!

BEAR ADVISORY:
7/07/06 10:00 AM Update - Thursday night game biologists were called in to haze the cubs that were getting too bold around the parking area at the Ferry. Shotguns with rubber bullets were used. ONE HOUR after the biologists left the bears were back again, undeterred. The Refuge Manager has issued an Emergency Closure Order affecting the wooded property adjacent to the Ferry and highway and no public entry is allowed now until after July 28th. If anglers want to fish that stretch they should walk downstream along the river from the Ferry parking lot. The sow's two year old cubs (1 runt 2 normal size) continue to rummage through the tent site area (closed to camping now) and travel through the Ferry parking area looking for pack sacks, coolers, and people garbage carelessly left out where they can get to it. Keep all fish, coolers, packs, and food out of reach of the bears!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rusher]

Davey Crockett didn't have any problems:lol:

[2deerboxing]

While hiking the Porkies in Boy Scouts a friend and myself were walking around a huge boulder eating a bowl of cereal. We both stopped dead in our tracks and froze, we were ten feet away from the beast. The bowls of cereal hit the dirt and we ran like the wind to the tents. As we rounded the boulder so did the bear from the other side only he was in front of us running towards the tents. It was still early and some of the other scouts were still sleeping. As the bear was zeroing in on the tents we were yelling to warn the others however as they got out of the tents they realized the bear was heading towards them. One of the fathers started banging pots and everyone was yelling bear. We were still behind it and running as fast as we could to keep up with it being the first bear we had seen in the wild and at this point we realized it was trying to get away not atttack so we grabbed our cameras as we chased it though the tents along with twenty or so other scouts. Soon there was all twenty of us chasing this bear with camers and we were closing in on a inlet and a thirty foot cliff overhanging the water. Without hesitation the bear took the dive and made a successful belly smacker into the inlet and swam away.

Why use dogs when you can use twenty Scouts?

[RyeDog]

This is a very interesting subject. I for one love to Bow hunt for Deer in Michigan. I usually hunt just outside of Cadillac. I may have to give up hunting though because I cant get the fear out of my head that I am going to run into a bear in the woods. Especially when one of the guys in my hunting group was hunting in the same area as me before I started going with them and he was in his tree stand waiting for deer. Well, a black bear came walking right underneath him while he was in the tree. He said he froze and just stayed super quiet. The bear never looked up at him and just continued to walk away.

I especially have a hard time walking into the woods for the early morning hunt when it is pitch black outside.

I have been known to wait until it lightens up outside a little before I walk into the woods in the morning ;)

It is too bad that I have to worry about this while I am in the woods because we all know that it is a great place to be!

Any suggestions on how to get over these fears?

[RatMan]

While in Alaska I noticed all of the grizzly guides carried .357's in shoulder holsters. I asked one of them how that weapon performed on grizzlies. He looked me up and down and knew I wasn't from around there. He said, "Boy, this ain't for the grizzly. It's for me in case the grizzly gets me."