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 ...
I'd rather have the pepper spray than nothing and rather have the shooting iron than the pepper spray.
Your observations about the legality of weapons in certain areas is also correct of course. In States like New Jersey, firearms, their possession and use, even to protect your own life or the life of another person or domestic animal is essentially forbidden. Thankfully, there are far more states with a rational perspective on this issue.
Some people might have a problem keeping cool under such circumstances, but I don't believe I would. Such people might also have a problem fumbling around with a pepper spray container. And what about the wind? You might find yourself pepper-spraying yourself.
I re-iterate - a bear population which is regularly hunted will come to regard most humans with caution and fear. Where there is a large human popluation and no hunting of bears the bears will ineveitably conclude humans are an easy source of food and adapt accordingly.
Bears are not stupid animals. They learn.
"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."
Nothing feels so good in such circumstances as a little "insurance" if needed.
Is black bear good eating?
I also bought a K-T - Kozee-Tote transport case for safety. Bear pepper spray is VERY nasty stuff and you don't it want rolling around in a car and going off accidently.
Pepper spray devices holding greater than 4 ounces are forbidden in State Parks under laws sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection and enacted by the Legislature many years ago. Some, actually most of the hikers I've met on the Appalachian Trail willfully violate this law. I'm looking for the statuate now and will post it when I find it.
Trust me, you can't make this stuff up....It could only happen in NJ.
WHY did we bother to have a Revolution back in 1776 only to have our government taken over by such lamebrains??
Where will this nonesense end?
You're right. You COULDN'T make this garbage up.
"Of the attorneys, by the attorneys, for the attorneys.."
"People were not made for the benefit of the laws, laws are made for the benefit of the people"
Where you at? Jefferson Twp. or something? Netcong? I'm in High Point. I see bears up my way a few times a year. Yawn.
I'd rather have the pepper spray than nothing and rather have the shooting iron than the pepper spray.
Or have both! :o)
Your observations about the legality of weapons in certain areas is also correct of course. In States like New Jersey, firearms, their possession and use, even to protect your own life or the life of another person or domestic animal is essentially forbidden.
In those states, you might have a chance if armed with bear spray. If a bear was attacking a dog in someone's back yard, using the spray on the bear might save the dog's life. That's better than standing by screaming and yelling "shoo!"
Some people might have a problem keeping cool under such circumstances, but I don't believe I would. Such people might also have a problem fumbling around with a pepper spray container. And what about the wind? You might find yourself pepper-spraying yourself.
Until actually faced with the situation, it can be hard to predict how a person will respond. But being prepared by reading and thinking about how to respond, and target practicing - either with a gun, or in my case, an inert bear spray practice canister - increases the odds that you'll be able to respond. You might still crap your pants, but you'll probably be able to respond appropriately.
The problems you mention about bear spray are a consideration, especially the wind. But, as with any weapon, practice and knowing how it will respond in actual use reduces your risk. Whether using a gun or spary, there are no guarantees. You just hope you're prepared if the need arises.
I re-iterate - a bear population which is regularly hunted will come to regard most humans with caution and fear. Where there is a large human popluation and no hunting of bears the bears will ineveitably conclude humans are an easy source of food and adapt accordingly.
I absolutley agree. And using good common sense when in bear country is the key. An encounter with a bear in the wild is rare. But problems do exist when areas such as you've described.
But the fur is really nice.
WOW! That's unbelievable! The NJ Legislature is nuts!
NJ bear attack/hunt ping.
In the Dover/Denville area...we had a bear in our backyard 2 weeks ago. Last year we had him on our front lawn 10 minutes before my 11 y/o got off the school bus. The great majority of the time they're no problem, but all it takes is one time for tragedy. Remember last year when the guy from New Milford lost a fight with a bear? All he got were some gashes, but he was lucky. Like those Scouts.
I think the scouts were lucky to see bears.
I hunt and hike in New Jersey, and I consider myself very fortunate when I see bears, as I do very frequently. Still, I wouldn't think I was lucky if a bear came after me.
I read it. Coupla teenagers got nicked by a couple of bear cubs. Waaaaaa! They shouldn't go in the woods if they don't like animals. They could just go to the mall and go shopping.
Posted by Huck:
"...I think the scouts were lucky to see bears..."
It is fortunate the scouts were able to see bear in the wild, but it would have been better if they had been looking for bear, and were accompanied by level-headed men with training, pepper spray, and adequate firearms. Stumbling upon bear without preparation isn't the most pleasant experience one could have.
~ Blue Jays ~
If we are going to kill these animals, we may as well eat them. Although I have never tasted bear, from what I hear it is quite lean and tasty.
Newsflash! Campers in Alaska encounter snow and cold! News at 11!
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