Posted on 09/26/2007 11:19:00 AM PDT by JZelle
A week ago I chuckled while reading the Pennsylvania Game Commission's helpful tips on dealing with black bears. It had to do with avoiding problems should one of the bears get too close and personal with a human.
Having spent a good deal of time in bear country over the years and having watched, admired and, yes, hunted them, I don't know if there truly is any good advice save for the standard, "Don't put garbage in easy-to-open trash cans outside your house because it will attract bears."
Don't laugh. It can happen fairly close to Washington in nearby Loudoun and Fauquier counties in Virginia or in any of the counties in western Maryland.
Black bears can attain weights of up to 600 pounds and are among the most unpredictable of all land critters. They normally prefer to run from you, but they also can be pretty brazen wherever apparently brain-dead humans have been feeding them along roadsides in parks and national forests.
Pennsylvania says if you see one close by, slowly back away while quietly talking. You may face the bear but avoid eye contact. Watch to see whether it swings its head nervously from side to side or noisily pops its jaws. If so, get out of there; it's a sign the bear might charge.
But how do you feel about the game commission's advice that if a bear attacks you it might become necessary to fight the bruin?
Hmmm. ... Fight an agile, muscular animal that often weighs over 400 and perhaps even 600 pounds? Who do you think will win?
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
He's not fond of the French — The Internet is abuzz about rock star and avid bow hunter Ted Nugent, who recently was interviewed by a British journalist who also happened to be an animal rights activist.
The interview eventually turned to Nugent's deer hunting, and the journalist asked, "What do you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot it? Is it, 'Are you my friend?' or is it, 'Are you the one that killed my brother?' "
Nugent replied, "Deer aren't capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is what am I going to eat next, who am I going to [have sex with] and can I run fast enough to get away. They are very much like the French.' "
LOL on the Nugent quote.
“the French haven’t the nature for war. Their Gallic laziness combines with their Latinate voluptuousness with the result that they would rather eat and make love with their faces than fight.”
I knew eventually I would be able to use this movie quote!
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear encounters, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued the following advisory to hikers, hunters, and fishermen while in the field:
It is strongly advised that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle grizzly bears that aren’t expecting outdoorsmen to be walking in their habitat. It is also strongly advised that outdoorsmen carry non-lethal pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a grizzly. The Department of Natural Resources for Alaska states it is a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity.
Outdoorsmen should be able to recognize the difference between black bear poop and grizzly bear poop:
- Black bear poop is small, contains lots of berries, and, occasionally, squirrel fur.
- Grizzly bear poop is large, has little bells in it, and smells like pepper.
Good luck trying to out run a charging bear. If you venture into bear country without a 12 gauge or a large canister of spray, you are asking for bad trouble.
I’ve recently learned that you bite a horse’s ear and blow on an armadillo’s tail so that makes two things to try with the bear.
Close call.
Well, if the bear is charging the horse then you won't care and if it's charging you then the horse won't care.
ping
No fair. The dog had a gun.
Nice Remingtom 870.
Oh yeah, nice bear to...congrats.
LOL, this is REALLY funny!!!
I always heard that if you go into bear country never ever go with someone who can outrun you.
naa she’s for gun control. lots of meat....lots of gristle
My opinion is that if the bear charges, he must have a good credit rating and pay the charge himself. No gov’t handouts!!!
‘Nugent replied, “Deer aren’t capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is what am I going to eat next, who am I going to [have sex with] and can I run fast enough to get away. They are very much like the French.’ “’
There is only one Ted Nugent...what a great response.
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