RE: [Paddlewise] Subject: Quatsino Sound

From: Steve Brown <steve_at_brown-web.net>
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 12:59:59 -0700
I didn't mean to infer that being eaten by a black bear is a frequent
occurrence. What I said was that what I have read is that Black Bear
attacks, when they occur, are usually to eat you. I think this is a
generally accepted fact about black bears because the web site quoted on
a later post says this:
"In the unlikely event a black bear attacks you (meaning he thinks you
are prey)"
That web site (http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/game/blkbear/blkbear4.htm)also
has a hodge-podge of solutions to avoiding attack and surviving attack
which seem to contradict one-another. They say avoid eye contact to
avoid a charge, presumably so you won't look threatening (I think that's
good advice for a Griz), but then wave your arms, look big and tall like
a human so you will look threatening. Also on surviving an attack, they
start with fighting back aggressively, but then say if the attack
continues to play dead. Playing dead sounds like an invitation to be
eaten immediately to me.
Here is another web site by the Government of the Northwest Territories
which is surprisingly firearm centric in its approach to dealing with
attack. There seems to be other links on the page with information about
avoiding trouble. 
www.nwtwildlife.rwed.gov.nt.ca/Publications/safetyinbearcountry/attacks.
htm
Anyway, I include the link because it makes a very clear distinction
between black and grizzly intentions when they attack.


             Steve Brown


-----Original Message-----
........ There was a black bear at the campsite - no one was eaten,
nothing was shot and everyone had a good time......  

Mike



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Received on Mon Jun 23 2003 - 13:04:55 PDT

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