Posted on 04/28/2006 3:48:59 PM PDT by george76
A 29-year-old Farisita man suffered bruises and possible nerve damage to his neck and shoulder this week when he tangled with a black bear on a private ranch near Stonewall about 25 miles west of Trinidad.
Harold Cerda stopped to use an outhouse on the ranch.
While he was away from his car, a bear climbed through an open window and started to eat Cerda's lunch that was on the front seat.
As Cerda came out of the outhouse, the bear was walking in his direction and took a swing at Cerda, knocking him down.
Michael Seraphin, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, said that after hitting Cerda, the bear ran about 100 feet up a hill and stopped.
As Cerda gathered himself and started for his car about 30 feet away, the bear came roaring back.
The ranch hand made it to the car and started the engine to raise the windows.
"All four windows were down and they go up real slow," Cerda said. "I got them closed just in time."
Bob Holder, the local wildlife manager...said people should remember that windows and doors of vehicles should be shut and latched to prevent entry.
It isn't always foolproof, however.
In recent years, wildlife officers have documented cases where bears ripped open the trunks of cars to get to the food in them.
(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...
Method for handling bears ...
Shoot center mass until weapon is empty.
Reload.
Repeat.
I've read that Grizzlies are more likely to attack, but that Black bears are more likely to continue the attack until death (yours).
Black Bears are alot more common in most states so our contacts are much more frequent. Their population numbers are growing rapidly, so the home invasion rates will increase.
Younger male black bears have generally not learned to fear humans. Rather, these teenagers see us a source of food...both directly and indirectly.
This is just one, of many, reasons to have a spring and a fall hunting season...to try to train the bears.
Black bears invade people's homes and cars for food. They seem to be ok with eating human flesh.
Grizzly bears seem to not like the taste of human fresh as much, so far. Thus they are somewhat less likely to hunt us for food. But they can kill us with one good swing...even if they are not hungry.
"Grizzly bears seem to not like the taste of human fresh as much, so far. Thus they are somewhat less likely to hunt us for food. But they can kill us with one good swing...even if they are not hungry."
My favorite description of Grizzly behavior is that there is no firm description of Grizzly behavior.
Grizzlies were described as alphas, whose personal mood would dictate their behavior.
You can think you have the patterns, but one day grumpy old man bear is in a bad mood and decides you are his number one annoyance that day.
Close to a Darwin award.
Years ago, our neighbors visited Yellowstone . They brought along Rocky, their black Cockapoo. One day while walking Rocky, a woman shouted in amazement, "Look, they have a bear on a leash! "
She insisted on taking a picture. They didn't bother to tell her he wasn't a bear.
FLAMES
Smokey the Bear heads
into the autumn woods
with a red can of gasoline
and a box of wooden matches.
His ranger's hat is cocked
at a disturbing angle.
His brown fur gleams
under the high sun
as his paws, the size
of catcher's mitts,
crackle into the distance.
He is sick of dispensing
warnings to the careless,
the half-wit camper,
the dumbbell hiker.
He is going to show them
how a professional does it
Reminds me of a post card I saw in Colorado of a lady walking her little dog. The caption:
"Trolling for Mountain Lions" :)
OK everyone insert the husband joke here !!
Best short article I've seen on bears, thanks.
I hope that matter of fact style of writing becomes more common.
And watch out during mating season.
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