Re: [Paddlewise] Bears

On Thu, 2003-06-26 at 15:01, Michael Daly wrote:
> On 25 Jun 2003 at 20:54, Kevin50110_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> > Bacon, perfume, food in general all are
> > no no's. So what about women at their time of the month? Bear
> > attractant, so some articles say; so will the ladies and other experts
> > care to weight in?
> 
> Considered nonsense by most experts.    Disposal of sanitary products 
> fall into the same category as disposal of anything else - pack it 
> in;pack it out - and don't leave any garbage loose around your 
> campsite.
> 
> Mike

Most "experts" are considered just that... Nonsense...and writers of
fiction. based on  little "real knowledge"


In our culture, Athabascan women, who are on monthly cycle
abstain from activity in fish camps. They do NOT venture out to gather
berries or wander from camp.
Its a Known fact, the bear can sense the smell/blood discharge..
There have been numberous accounts on record by the Park Service of
attacks during these cycles.
Though attacks now are in decline. Its not due to "experts" and their
devices to fool "nature" and the bear.
Its due mostly to the decline of the Bear period..
Pack it in/out theory might get one into big trouble. Rec
paddlers/hikers seems to place to much "magazine time" for thir basis of
wilderness knowledge. I.E I read it or heard it so therefore its true.
Any remote area one is in danger period..A Duluth Pack full of sanitary
napkins and camp trash  is asking for trouble..
Burn the so mentioned debris. Dont carryit out like John Muir want to
be.
Rumors/Fables and book knowledge tends to get one in serious trouble.
Do avoid animals... do what the locals do ! Not some idiots written
words
penned in ink 4000 miles away.
Note what the wilderness permits say for Yellowstone Park !!!And how to
avoid trouble...
Most 90% people are only in semi remote areas, thus people have fed or
amuzed the bears.. This is where problems come in.
Paddle down the Yukon where bears "ARE Bears" and one will quickly learn
what or what not works.If not expect trouble..

Same in Florida with gators.. Stay off narrow rivers in gator
nesting/mating time. And away from "slides"
Dont go walking around banks unless your are keenly observant...
I myself have had more problems with eastern diamondbacks then gators.
Simple... see one.. stay clear of it..
A  young illegal Mexican was "ate" by a gator coupel weeks ago in
Wachula...
Reason? swimming in waste deep water on a remote stretch of the Peace
river. His canoe in tow.
Use absolute common sense in animal areas.
If in North Country, those dirty white bears one see,s are Polar bears..
They see you and they are going to come period..They fear not nothing.
after all they see you as food..
I was amuzed one year in Anchorage, On the Anc news they showed a
"tourist"  taking a pictures of a moose that had wandered into town.
The film was rolling by the news crew.. The LL Bean clad tourist got
closer to get his beloved pictures. The moose turned and tramped him to
death.
Guess he learned the hard way.
Paddle down a Salmon run is in and the bears are feeding along its banks
and your asking for trouble.

W


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