RE: [Paddlewise] Subject: Quatsino Sound

Bears are a relevant subject to kayaking, and firearms are a relevant
subject when dealing with bears.
Black bear attacks are virtually always for food. You as the food, not the
food you brought to eat. If you are attacked, the advice is to fight for
your life because if you loose, you die.
If a grizzly attacks during the day, it is likely a turf fight or a surprise
and protecting vital areas while playing dead can save your bacon. At night,
such as when you are in your tent, you're on the menu. Fight for your life
or die, but without something more substantial than a noise maker or pepper
spray, good luck to you.
My personal experience has been limited to one handful of experiences, and
only with "black" bears. The most educational (and frightening) was on a
backpacking trip into the Sierras (California) in mid June a few years ago.
Vickie and I were hiking up a fairly wide valley when Vickie said: "Look at
that horse". She had the size correct, but it was no horse. About 75 meters
away was a "black" bear, obviously a male, that was larger than I thought
black bears could grow to be. It was also not black, but brown, with a large
head and fur that strongly reminded me a grizzly bear. If I had not been
taught that grizzlies were exterminated from California, I would have
identified this bear as a small grizzly without hesitation.
-I always carry my 357 mag on backpacking trips just in case of an
unfortunate encounter with unruly humans or pugnacious large animals. In my
younger days I carried it in a shoulder holster so it would be readily
accessible. After years of never having to even remove it from the holster,
I decided on this trip to carry it inside my pack, and only get it out after
making camp-
Anyway, I said "that's not a horse, it's a bear". He was facing away from us
munching berries like there was no tomorrow. He had a clear and easy path
for escape in every direction. I know the drill - clap your hands, or make
some other noise to warn of your presence so as not to surprise them up
close, and they will flee in terror. I clapped my hands several times. The
bear turned to look at us. He didn't turn his head; he turned his whole body
to face us. I'm definitely no bear expert, but I know the difference between
fear and aggression.
It was a showdown - eye to eye. Clearly he was struggling with a decision of
whether to attack or run. It must have been a hard decision for him because
it took an uncomfortably long time. I was hoping he would blink first,
because he was wisely wearing his weapons on the outside, while mine was
foolishly buried in my pack. I kept clapping when the first volley didn't
work. My main thoughts were about how to get out my gun, aim, and fire, all
in the 3 seconds it would take him to cover that 75 meters if he decided to
charge. That was just impossible so I kept eye contact and tried to look
big, even though at that moment I felt smaller and weaker than ever before.
Eventually he ran and we started breathing again.
Had I been able to reach my gun, I would have drew it (for the first time in
20+ years of backpacking) and aimed, but not fired. Had the bear charged I
would have fired, and contrary to some recent opinions, all 6 rounds would
have went into the bear and none into Vickie or me. 
I'll never be caught off guard like that again.
I have yet to kayak camp in bear country, but when I do you can bet I'll
bring the appropriate size firearm for whatever sized bears happen to reside
in that area.

             Steve Brown

-----Original Message-----
......
1. Just a reminder to the list that the subject of firearms are not welcome
on this list.
......
3. My advise to fight back with all your resources if an animal enters your
tent was a sincere comment. I doubt highly this will ever be a problem
though.
....
Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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