BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[moderator]

Full Story:
Bear Attack

[Rocky J. Paul]

Well being attacked by a bear isn't the the kind of animal you really worry about where I live, but I know in some places it is. In the "South" you usually think of snakes or maybe stepping on a bee's nest or something, but I hardly ever think of a bear

Sincerly Yours
Rocky J. Paul

[moderator]

Yes, I imagine you don't have to worry too much about Brown Bear attacks in the South. :smile:

However some of the snakes can be just as nasty based on some of the snake bite photos I have seen.

[Paparock]

People need to take Black Bears seriously as they have all the equipment to put you on the meal card. All bears are individuals and some areas like British Columbia produce man eaters more than all other areas put together. Yes, I said man eaters. Not in protection of cubs, not from retaliation after wounding but premeditated predation on humans. Check it out. Even in the lower 48 you can join the growing club of death and being consumed by black bear. I had a friend in Colorado who was not a hunter but was an experienced woodsman who was stalked, killed and devoured by a fully healthy bear. He was only the second recorded in Colorado history but then I doubt anyone cares to be remembered as Number 3.
These bears are not clowns or pets. They are oppurtunists so do not give them the oppurtunity. The case of a father wanting some unusual pictures while I was living in Wyoming comes to mind. It seems he put honey on his young daughters face to get a picture of the cute black bear licking it off. Everything went fine for the first licks but when the bear suddenly bit her face off it was too late. Remember there is a reason they put up don't feed the bear signs.

[moderator]

Welcome to the board Paparock!

Yes you raise a good point. Usually regarding bears, black bears are not given as much concern as brown bears.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, that is most unfortunate. Hopefully, we can all learn a lesson from your friends death that black bears can and will do as much damage as a brown bear.

While I do believe that brown bear account for more fatal attacks (oweing to their average larger size), black bear populations are on the rise in many eastern/western states and most parts of Canada have always had a healthy population. This means that we can expect more human/black-bear encounters as time goes on.

As a matter of fact, Kyotee, bitmasher, and I have been discussing black bear hunting over in the Rocky Mtn forum here:

http://www.biggamehunt.net/for.....orum=10&11

Do you have some thoughts to add?

[rustywins]

This is a tragic story with horrible results! I cannot understand though why people continue to venture into Brownie country without an adequate weapon to dispose of a bear should you encounter one.I know that I would NOT go into the bear woods without a heandgun of at least .44 magnum caliber, to try to fend off a massive brownie with only a .280 seems way to high a stakes game for me!

[Globestrider]

The article states that the victim was an expert hunter and traveller in the Alaskan region of the Kenai Mountains. Yet, I cannot imagine thinking that a .280 caliber rifle would be adequate to protect oneself from the massive Alaskan Brown bear. What an unfortunate choice of weapons. I would be inclined to choose something a bit more powerful, like a compact Marlin 1895 Guide 45/70 rifle or other suitable weapon that has a lot more stopping power. Of course, there are no guarantees that a bear won't catch its prey off guard.

Quote:
On 2002-03-25 15:27, moderator wrote:
Full Story:
Bear Attack


[ This Message was edited by: Globestrider on 2003-09-17 10:09 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Globestrider on 2003-09-17 10:10 ]

[bullmoose77]

This article should be an eye-opener for anyone venturing into an area where a healthy population of brown bears exist, especially in the springtime before the salmon start running and food is scarce.
I live in Soldotna myself and have hunted in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas for 10 years now. I hunt with a .300 H&H magnum and at times feel vulnerable when hiking through the woods or returning to a kill without a bigger caliber rifle. After reading your article I'm thinking about upgrading to a .338 Winchester magnum or .450 Marlin. Since Mr. Cates was able to put a shot on the bear that killed him, he might still be with us today had he made a different choice of weapon.


[ This Message was edited by: bullmoose77 on 2003-10-24 03:22 ]

[mtcop71]

I live in Eagle River, Ak and go fishing and hunting alot.. I was using a 357 mag for protection from bears, but after a recent Caribou trip were we killed a 7ft Grizzly and saw it take 5 solid hits from a 300 win mag and a 300 ultra mag, I now carry a 500 Mossberg Cruiser and shoot slugs...

[ This Message was edited by: mtcop71 on 2004-01-14 12:00 ]