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[New Jersey] Bear attack takes on greater menace; Teens pawed and bitten by prowling cub
Newark Star-Ledger ^ | November 19, 2004 | BRIAN T. MURRAY

Posted on 11/19/2004 9:52:01 AM PST by d-back

The encounter last weekend between three bears and two Boy Scouts at a camp in Warren County was more harrowing than originally reported, as the bears pawed at the teenagers for an hour, bit one of them and attempted to bite the other, according to a report by state wildlife investigators.

The boys, who were later vaccinated for rabies, cowered on a rock as they fended off the two 60-pound cubs and the mother bear at the Yards Creek Scout Reservation in Blairstown on Saturday night, wildlife investigators said.

One of the boys was bitten twice by a cub. The animal first bit down on the boy's left arm -- leaving four scratch marks as the youth pulled away -- and then bit the boy's right hand, leaving three puncture wounds, according to a Division of Fish and Wildlife report obtained by The Star-Ledger on Wednesday. The second boy escaped injury when the second cub bit his coat sleeve -- but missed his arm -- and tried to pull him off the rock, the report said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection did not release the report until last night -- after being pressed by The Star-Ledger-- leaving officials from the Central New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts to field questions about the incident. The council initially reported the incident as a brief, minor encounter with two bears, and said only one bear had "scratched" a scout's hand before the cubs ran off. . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New Jersey
KEYWORDS: animalrights; bang; banglist; bear; bearhunt; bearpepperspray; bears; bearspray; blackbear; blackbearhunt; boyscouts; bsa; bsalist; counterassault; delawarewatergap; dontpetbears; dwg; elf; highpoint; hunting; ifitbreatheskillit; killeverything; killingislikeviagra; morris; newjersey; nj; peta; scouts; sussex; union; vegetarians; warren
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To: Born to Conserve
"If a black bear is bothering you, act aggressively."

If you act aggressively towards a mother and her cubs, the mother will kill you, unless by some miracle you are able to kill her first. A mother with cubs is viscous and will NOT back down. Yours is absolutely the most idiotic advice I have ever heard regarding bears.

As for the scouts acting like wussies, considering that the cubs each weighed 60 lb.s and had sharp teeth and claws, I would say they acted the only sensible way in that situation. Running could have gotten them killed.
61 posted on 11/19/2004 10:54:47 AM PST by monday
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Professor Peter Singer, vegetarian(Culture of Death Alert!)

62 posted on 11/19/2004 10:56:33 AM PST by Coleus (Abortion and Euthanasia, Don't Democrats just kill ya! Kill Humans, Save the Bears!!)
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To: d-back; Pharmboy; ZULU; OldFriend; Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Hi All-

Interesting article, especially with regard to Bradley Campbell trying to sweep the severity of the attack beneath the rug.

Interactions with bears should be an exceptionally RARE situation. The wacky environmentalists talk about how the bears are being "crowded" from their homes. They can't comprehend the place where this attack occured is only an hour from Manhattan by bus...it ain't rural Wyoming! The letters to the newspaper are equally absurd. Everyone saying "Leave the poor bears alone!" is typically writing from Atlantic City, Colts Neck, LBI, or a similar place where they don't have bear confrontations.

The article described the kids having a Pop-Tart in their backpack like that is the "source" of the whole problem. So, all hikers using the Appalachian Trail or getting some fresh air near the Delaware Water Gap should have NO food or energy bars on their person...or attacks by wild animals should be expected? Good ole' Bradley will need to whip-up a much better solution than that.

In addition to the hunt, citizens should be allowed to carry sidearms as a means of last resort. It is outrageous that lives of humans and bears are even being compared so casually. One article in the The Star-Ledger even advised carrying an umbrella (!) and opening and closing it rapidly to frighten away curious bears. They have truly "gone around the bend" with regard to this problem.

~ Blue Jays ~

63 posted on 11/19/2004 11:02:30 AM PST by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties should seceed and join Pennsylvania. That would put that state in the Republican column. As for the rest of New Jersey - let them join Massachusetts.

Coyotes don't bother me, nor do eagles. Actually even cougars and bears don't bother me much either. I don't live in Jersey and so I can carry a shooting iron to protect myself. I like watching wildlife too. But I like to the one in control - not the bear or the cougar.


64 posted on 11/19/2004 11:03:55 AM PST by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
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To: ZULU

I do not have a problem with joining Pennsylvania. It would be nice to be a Red state. I am not against the bear hunt because I realize that there have been attacks and home invasions. I just wish the would stop building up the areas so much so there would be some place for the bears to live, and HOPEFULLY not interfere with humans.


65 posted on 11/19/2004 11:10:17 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Never play leapfrog with a unicorn!)
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To: monday
Been there, done this. Kick a 'normal' black bear on its butt and it will run, mother with cubs or not.

You will never run into a wild bear, they have instincts and senses that keep them far away from you. The bears you will run into are the ones that are eating garbage or being fed. They will not be afraid of you unless you give them cause, in which case they will be afraid.

The best way to get hurt in the woods is to act like a wuss.

There is always the possibility that you will run into a black bear that is psychotic, but then it doesn't matter what you do. If it's bigger than you, and you don't have a gun, you may be toast, and a statistical anomaly.

The same theory goes for loose dogs, except that a much higher percentage of dogs are wacko.
66 posted on 11/19/2004 11:11:37 AM PST by Born to Conserve
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

It would probably be a good idea to keep a rifle and some ammo on the side of your home where you see the bear. Seconds really count in emergencies.


67 posted on 11/19/2004 11:21:50 AM PST by B4Ranch (The lack of alcohol in my coffee is forcing me to see reality!)
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To: ZULU
Hi ZULU-

Posted by ZULU:
"...I can carry a shooting iron to protect myself. I like watching wildlife too. But I like to the one in control - not the bear or the cougar..."

We are in complete agreement. In the summer of 2002, my spouse and I encountered three cubs and a mother bear while on the trails near Delaware Water Gap. We had stopped for a drink when I heard a "snap" in the woods and saw the mother bear and two cubs. Upon looking around, I noticed we had "split" the final cub who was off to our right from the rest of the family. Total distance between everyone was no more than 20 yards.

My eyes were probably as big as saucers because I recognized the extreme danger in which we found ourselves. I could swear I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears.

The only thing I could think to do was to continue facing the mother bear and walk backwards until disappearing from the line of vision. Once this was accomplished, we turned and ran...warning everyone we encountered what just happened. We reported it to the rangers as well. You would not believe the number of dopes who listened to my breathless story and then checked their cameras to ensure they had plenty of film! My .357 Magnum and extra speedloaders would have been very welcome as "insurance" during that stressful time if we weren't in such a liberal state.

Hopefully few will have to endure a fright like that.

~ Blue Jays ~

68 posted on 11/19/2004 11:23:54 AM PST by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: tcostell
A homeowner was fined many thousands of dollars for shooting a bear that had broken into his home.

This state is out of control and I for one can't wait to get the hell out of here.

69 posted on 11/19/2004 11:28:54 AM PST by OldFriend (PRAY FOR POWERS EQUAL TO THE TASKS)
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To: Grampa Dave
It sounds like the mother bear was training her cubs on how to attack.

Yep

70 posted on 11/19/2004 11:31:02 AM PST by joesnuffy ("The merit of our Constitution was, not that it promotes democracy, but checks it." Horatio Seymour)
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To: Born to Conserve
They will not be afraid of you unless you give them cause, in which case they will be afraid

With all due respect, I must disagree with you. I'll attempt to explain why: When talking specifically about the issue as it refers to the bear population of NJ, there has been no reason for bear to fear man since 1973 when the black bear hunting season was abolished by pressure from the Sierra Club and regional "environmental conservation" groups.

The bears that had a healthy fear of humans have been dead for years. The current generations (and future) presenting as aggressive and opportunistic have zero fear of man due to regulatory factors that prevent all acts of hostility towards bears beyond banging pots and barking dogs. It is this factor alone that makes them dangerous. Humans are not feared and are quickly becoming a viable food source.

The first hunt for NJ since 1973 netted 328 bear from my immediate area and it's highly probable that those that were caught out-of-den during the harvest were the top tier of problematic bears.

Hunters always have been and continue to be, the original "conservationists".

71 posted on 11/19/2004 11:34:49 AM PST by paulcissa (Only YOU can prevent liberalism.)
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To: d-back
When animals, especially predatory animals, are not hunted regularly they get bolder...

When they are subjected to the hunt...the smell of their own kind's blood fills the air and these guys oriented by smell...it puts the fear of man in them big time..

Pair the smell of their own blood with the smell of man and gun powder and you got a nice operant learning lesson...for the predators that is....

They will seek then to avoid man from generation to generation as long as they get a 'tune' up once a year or so...

It also works on two legged predators...only they orient by the 'word out on the street' and need tune ups a little more frequently.

imo
72 posted on 11/19/2004 11:35:57 AM PST by joesnuffy ("The merit of our Constitution was, not that it promotes democracy, but checks it." Horatio Seymour)
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To: paulcissa
If a bear is hanging around your camp for some hand outs, it is being rational (as rational as an animal can be that is). It is weighing the cost/benefit ratio. If you increase the costs, by appearing to be a threat, it will move on to easier pickins.

I've been a little flippant with my arguments in one regard: in some parts, black bear males can get very big and very confident, and you better have a few friends to help you with your bluster.

In most parts, black bears, especially the females, are small and opportunistic. You give them a push, and they move on, cubs or not.

Another thing about bears: They get real tame inside a sausage casing.
73 posted on 11/19/2004 11:48:06 AM PST by Born to Conserve
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To: Born to Conserve
Another thing about bears: They get real tame inside a sausage casing.

Mmmmmm.....You're making me hungry!

74 posted on 11/19/2004 11:49:51 AM PST by paulcissa (Only YOU can prevent liberalism.)
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To: ZULU
Perhaps, IF you're an excellent shot and can easily hit a fast charging target under stress. And you can easily carry a shotgun for an extended period while hiking. Also, some state parks don't allow wepons.

Bear pepper spray isn't perfect by any means but, based on the reading I've done, it can greatly reduce the risk of attack. Common sense in bear country, obviously, is your best defense.


"Bear Attacks!"

"... FIGHTING BACK

The biologists darted the grizzly from the helicopter, then landed. Approaching the bear to take blood samples, they sensed something wasn’t right. The bear moved, and moved again. Suddenly, from just 19 feet away, the bear charged the two researchers.

One biologist pulled a .44 and fired four shots at the bear, which quickly beelined for the brush. The pair ran for the safety of the helicopter cab. From the air, they noticed the bear still wandering around, so they darted it again. Upon examining the bear, they found that even at close range not a single bullet had hit the bear.

Do Sprays and Guns Help?

When it comes to arguing about the effectiveness of bear sprays vs. firearms as deterrents in bear attacks, both sides have valid points to make. The truth is that people don’t shoot particularly well under stressful situations like a bear attack, as illustrated by the above example. Sprays can also fail spectacularly as deterrents, especially when the canister is stashed in a backpack (as often happens) or if the wind is blowing the wrong way. But Smith says one thing is certain. Having a deterrent handy is much better than facing a menacing bear with nothing but your fists. For one, the spray or firearm gives you something to do other than run, which is the wrong response to an encounter..."


An excerpt from "THE BIOLOGIST’S CORNER: Bears and Pepper Sprays"

I always get lots of questions about bear sprays. Do they really work? What is the best kind to have? How is it used? What’s the story about bear sprays attracting bears? Should I carry bear spray if I carry a firearm? And lots more. What I would like to pass on is some of what I have learned personally, as well as what other biologists have learned about bear sprays.

What is bear spray? The active ingredient in bear spray is Oleoresin Capsaicin; a naturally occurring compound derived from peppers. Peppers are rated as to how hot they are (measured in Scoville Heat Units or SHU’s). Bell peppers have 0 SHU’s while the red hot Habenero pepper has 300,000 SHU’s! There are red pepper sprays on the market sold for personal protection; they have a rating of 1,000,000 SHU’s. The bear repellents are rated at 2,000,000 SHU’s. It is reported that human skin will blister when exposed to Capsaicin rated at 3,000,000 SHU’s; pure Capsaicin is rated at 15,000,000 SHU’s!

Does bear spray really work? Dr. Stephen Herrero of the University of Calgary, Alberta has published the definitive work on this question. My good friend, Dr. Tom Smith, has summarized these findings.

What Dr. Herrero found was: of 36 encounters with grizzly bears, 20 were non-aggressive encounters and 16 were aggressive encounters; sprayed to the face of non-aggressive bears, pepper spray was 100% effective in changing the bear’s behavior; sprayed to the face of aggressive bears, pepper spray changed the behavior of 15 bears, but six continued their attack after recovering; repeated spraying caused five of these six bears to stop their attack.

Only four instances of pepper spray on black bears were described, in each case the aggressive behavior of the bear was stopped, but in no case did the bear leave the area after being sprayed; 26 garbage bears were sprayed with pepper spray; 20 stopped their aggressive behavior, 14 left the area, eight of the 26 bears did not leave the area, or left and later returned, after receiving a “substantial” dose of pepper spray to the face.

In a recent discussion with Tom, he related to me that he now has good records on 75 uses of pepper spray in Alaska on all three species. In a nutshell, the success rate is better than 90% at stopping or deterring an aggressive bear...

You can read the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s position about pepper spray its web page. For an “all you ever wanted to know about bear sprays but were afraid to ask”, see Dr. Smith’s excellent review. Additionally, the EPA maintains a listing of registered bear deterrents.


An excerpt from "Are Bear Deterrent Sprays For You?"

"... Spray Is Effective

Canadian researchers investigating incidents involving the use of pepper spray deterrents on bears in the field reported that 94 percent of bears that had been displaying aggressive behavior stopped the behavior after being sprayed and 88 percent left the area. Only three human / bear contacts resulted from the 66 incidents and only one resulted in injuries requiring more than an overnight stay in a hospital. Two of the people injured were hurt while using a spray to come to the aid of a companion already under attack. By comparison, another group of Canadian researchers found that firearms are effective in deterring grizzly bear attacks only about 50 percent of the time. There is also evidence that use of a pepper spray during a contact greatly reduces the length and severity of the mauling.

Claims that deterrent sprays attract bears have never been scientifically proven, although rumors continue to circulate. Allegations that a Japanese photographer killed by an Alaskan grizzly in an area where pepper spray had been used days earlier fail to point out that he was sleeping outdoors in an area frequented by over 60 human-acclimatized bears that had been repeatedly fed by other photographers seeking close-up shots. One Canadian hunter mauled by a grizzly after reportedly spraying it with pepper spray was found to have used a pocket-sized self-defense spray designed for use against humans while another missed his target completely with a similar pocket canister, which shot a stream instead of a cloud of spray..."


BEAR ATTACKS & the VALUE of PEPPER SPRAY

75 posted on 11/19/2004 11:51:28 AM PST by EdReform (Free Republic - helping to keep our country a free republic. Thank you for your financial support!)
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To: d-back

If you can't encounter bears on a camping trip, why friggin camp?? Why not just pave the whole forest, set up concession stands, open an outlet mall, if safety from nature is what you want.


76 posted on 11/19/2004 11:57:16 AM PST by Huck (The day will come when liberals will complain that chess is too violent .)
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To: Born to Conserve
"You will never run into a wild bear, they have instincts and senses that keep them far away from you. The bears you will run into are the ones that are eating garbage or being fed. They will not be afraid of you unless you give them cause, in which case they will be afraid."

Actually I have run into both types. Bears have no natural enemies except man, and if they are not hunted, then not even man. They don't necessarily run when approached, in fact a large male will often ignore you.

Mothers with cubs will run more often, but if you surprise one, easy to do since they are NOT on the lookout for predators, she will not back down if you seem aggressive. I live out west so perhaps the bears I see are larger than eastern bears. Here bears wander around like they own the place.
77 posted on 11/19/2004 11:57:25 AM PST by monday
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To: Pharmboy

It's 45 miles actually.


78 posted on 11/19/2004 12:02:49 PM PST by Huck (The day will come when liberals will complain that chess is too violent .)
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To: Mercat; ZULU; Pharmboy; d-back
heh, heh... I've read that bells really don't work. As for bear pepper spray, I'll take it over nothing any day.

But I also agree ( as does one of the references I posted above - see reply 75 ) that it wouldn't hurt to have a gun as well, IF you feel you're capable of hitting a fast charging bear and IF you're premitted to carry one in the part of bear country you hike, camp, or live in.

79 posted on 11/19/2004 12:05:47 PM PST by EdReform (Free Republic - helping to keep our country a free republic. Thank you for your financial support!)
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To: Huck

Nope. Mapquest says: Total Est. Distance: 31.63 miles from Main St in Blairstown to my front door in Morris County. I live in NORTHERN Morris County.


80 posted on 11/19/2004 12:11:25 PM PST by Pharmboy (Listen...you can still hear the old media sobbing.)
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