Posted on 09/07/2020 5:55:52 AM PDT by marktwain
U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- On 29 July, 2020, Daniel Schilling went to clear trail about a mile from his cabin in Alaska. His dog returned home without him. His wife was very concerned. Searchers found his body, killed by a bear, where he was working. An empty can of bear spray, with the safety off, which had been discharged at the site, was also found.
August 6, 2020 (Anchorage) – Employees of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) responded to the location of a fatal bear attack that occurred Wednesday, July 29, near the community of Hope, to collect samples and gather information. Hair collected during the initial investigation appeared to be from a brown bear. DNA was able to be extracted from some of the hair and from additional samples collected. Preliminary results identified female brown bear and female black bear DNA associated with the attack site and the victim, Daniel Schilling.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Mr. Schilling’s family and friends during this very sad time,” said Cyndi Wardlow, Southcentral Regional Supervisor.
“While we may never know the full circumstances, we are trying to learn everything we can about what happened to help people stay safe around wildlife in Alaska.”
There were no witnesses to the events that led to the attack. An empty bear spray canister with the safety removed was found at the location of the attack, and it appeared that bear spray had been discharged at the site. No attractants, such as a dead moose or a food cache, were found in a search of the area during the investigation.
The attack may have been a predatory attack. Daniel Schilling was an avid hunter who had carried a revolver in a chest holster on a previous hunt.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
I'd call it that.
Is this to say that the Bears can actually win once in a while?
Can be any color from black to blond.
One of them got a free dinner.
My bear sprayer is a Benelli semi-auto shotgun with aftermarket 8-round tube +1 loaded with a combination of 0000 buckshot and slugs.
No rounds wasted on warning shots.
In Montana grizzly range now extends more than a third of the way across the state and the bears are still creeping eastward.
Those are black bears, basically really big rodents. Grizzlies are completely different.
I camp often in black bear country. Of course I take proper precautions such as hanging my food and not taking smellables in my tent. Beyond that I don’t really worry about black bears.
I’ve never camped in grizzly country but I would never go anywhere not fully armed.
Very very rarely might work. I cringe when I see people go into the backcountry with that stuff.
Cans of Mace have safeties? Should they have child-proof locks as well?
Lots of black bears have brown hair. I wouldn’t use spray on grizz or black.
Strange as it may seem, black bears seem more resistant to bear spray during bear attacks.
It may be that most black bear attacks are predatory, while most grizzly attacks are territorial.
12 gauge slug is more effective.
I will never forget this quote, and I think it applies to violent humans as well:
“If you think you know what that bear is going to do, then you know more than he does.”
........in recent years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours on the Yukon River by myself between Whitehorse and Ft. Yukon. This year I’m preparing to return in 2021 to go from Ft. Yukon to the Pacific (Emmonak), approximately another 1,000 miles and then 1,000 miles back, UPSTREAM against the current. At 73 next summer, it’s a “don’t let the old man in” moment............for sure.
Each night (in years past) I slept on the river bank by myself and usually 5 to 10 miles or so downstream from where I ate my evening meal. I did not have any bear spray and there was never a camp fire or any noise.
I did always have a S & W .50 caliber mounted on a back supported harness (because the gun is heavy in an all day carry) and hanging in front under my chin. Always nearby was my trusty Remington 870 Tactical, loaded with Triple Ought buck. At night, I put out mono filament activated beepers which are VERY loud. So far, no problem and no incidents. I believe in bear spray approximately the same as I believe in that ole Democratic Party saying that “you can keep your doctor”.
When your in Bear Country, anything less than deployed beepers and being totally armed and totally quiet, and no “smells”, and no fires and downstream from where you ate is CRAZY. And, it helps to be a light sleeper. I am.
Lol, of course, my daughter and some friends think I’m crazy anyway!
For those interested, it will take me about 2 weeks to float down the river from Ft. Yukon to Emmonak and about half that to come back to the Dalton Highway Bridge “under power”. A USAF airmen (Ellington) drives my truck and trailer from Circle to the bridge and waits for the old man to get back though with sat phones it’s no problem coordinating time.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, and in my opinion, bears are not the most concerning and apprehensive part of being on the Yukon by yourself. But, that’s a long story.
You should. It might make a good book.
Even if it doesn't, we would love to read it.
Yeah. Some black bears have brown hair and I’ve seen some with a reddish brown.
Keep us up to date on your journey! Maybe a camera crew from the Outdoor channel can follow you.
A fun read about a solo ski trip to the magnetic north pole.
At her take off point an Eskimo village/mine, they ask where is your dog? You cannot possibly go without one!
They gave her a dog. The dog saved her life many times!!! Polarbears and lots of them. She pulled a 160-pound sled for 27 days and 345 mile, no resupply.
Once the dog chased the bears some great distance and was gone for hours, she thought it might be the end of the line.
She also carried a flare gun and a firearm.
An easy and an excellent read.
She, her husband and the dog go back later and repeated the journey.
Photo of Charlie the Dog at the link. (book cover)
“Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole”
https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Dream-First-Expedition-Magnetic/dp/0939165457
Big gun as first line of defense. You won’t have time to draw it when the bear spray fails. Oh and don’t forget to hose the dead bear with the spray for the authorities.
Or make a mini flamethrower with a can of WD 40 and a lighter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdbM6ekEQzY
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