[Born to Conserve]

If you act like prey, they'll act like predators. If you act like predators, they'll act like prey.

If a black bear is bothering you, act aggressively.

And don't feed wild animals (can't believe this needs to be said).

Those cubs have learned from these wussie scouts that people are prey, now the bears have to be destroyed.

[ZULU]

"If a black bear is bothering you, act aggressively."

Easier said than done when facing a fanged menace with ten raking claws, which can reach 600 + pounds, out run you and climb a tree faster than you can.

On the other hand, its much easier to assume the "predator" stance with a handy shooting iron in your hands.

[d-back]

"Wussie Scouts"???

Cut them some slack. They're kids, for crying out loud, not Daniel Freakin' Boone.

[monday]

"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.

[Judith Anne]

Those cubs have learned from these wussie scouts that people are prey, now the bears have to be destroyed.

If the mother bear was nearby, anything other than sitting still might have got one of them killed. A mother bear will NOT allow aggressive human behavior toward her cubs. So I think they did the right thing. After all, they're alive.

And the bears won't be destroyed, more's the pity. Underhunting has led to the bears losing their fear of man, which really makes them much more dangerous.