This part of Utah sees a high concentration of hikers, bikers and basically humans of all stripes including boy scouts. I prefer much more remote areas, and don’t frequent the American Fork or Mt. Timpanogos areas.
Part of the problem in these bear attacks is that they’ve become accustomed to humans. I’m sure this bear has taken up the nasty habit of scavaging on the remains of campsite garbage. It’s easy food.
This time, the bears instincts for fresh kill associated with campgrounds and food probably got the best of him. What a tragedy.
Thanks for the info. I’m with you, I don’t like to go to highly frequented areas for the reasons you stated about bears. They’re used to humans and the trash, etc.
I don’t know if you can call it safer/saner, but at least in a less frequented area the behavior of the animals is a bit more “predictable”(?) in that you can take the usual safety measures and have a very good chance of avoiding this type of incident.
Ditto the tragedy comment. It strikes a bit closer to home as my son is 11 and going on his first longterm Boy Scout camp in July (I’m going as well) to an area that has the potential to create this very same scenario. I was already planning on bear bags and canisters but will be putting more emphasis on the precautions and educating all of the Scouts because of this incident.
Thanks again,
SZ
The tragedy is there was no dog with them and nobody who was available to blow the bear away with an appropriate firearm and the ablity to employ the same.
I waste no tears on dead bears - there are too damn many live ones around.