25 haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so.... (Read 32611 times)
Gavia
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #10 - May 16th, 2013 at 11:23pm
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Good idea to carry pepper spray in Glacier, where the bears are seriously dangerous.  Carry it in the BWCA and you're very unlikely to use it.

I'm curious how many of the folks who claim certain knowledge of bears have studied the work of the Bear Center in Ely.
  
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Old Salt
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #11 - May 17th, 2013 at 12:32am
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My favorite 'bear spray' is a 12 gauge... Grin
  
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Yellowbird
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #12 - May 17th, 2013 at 1:15pm
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solotripper wrote on May 16th, 2013 at 7:46pm:
YB,
Ever notice that whenever they kill a predatory bear or authorize a hunt that the biologists/experts want to do to protect the people of the area ( UP wolf hunt), the comments are always the same?

The statements that are made to the public are necessary to give accountability.  Frankly, if they (law enforcement officers) are responding according to their mission of protecting the public, I am satisfied with the statement, "we took care of it".  The wildlife experts role serves the protective rights of the animal population.  So there is a check and balance.  Any 3rd party research into wildlife study is always a positive when the honest facts are reported.

Many of us might be aware of a child killed by a bear in 1948 in the Hiawatha National Forest.  The hand me down story of the account was the bear snatched the girl from the porch of a home.  Public reaction was severe and for years many black bear were shot on sight.  My guess is that many from that local and generation still harbor some hatred for the animal.  Times have changed and the balance we currently have seems to be accepted.

-YB
  
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ripple
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #13 - May 17th, 2013 at 7:59pm
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Old Salt wrote on May 17th, 2013 at 12:32am:
My favorite 'bear spray' is a 12 gauge... Grin


Oh no! More weight for Snow Dog to portage!
  
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solotripper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #14 - May 20th, 2013 at 1:26pm
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Bottom line is IF you encounter a true predatory bear, which while rare, do exist, could you survive the encounter?
I'd like to believe I could, but I'd rather avoid it altogether if possible.
I don't plan on avoiding outdoor areas were they live, so that leaves only a few options in my mind.
You either carry a lethal option, or you carry a non-lethal one.
In grizzly country or areas where black bear are particular aggressive, I'd carry both ( legaly of course).
  
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intrepid_camper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #15 - May 20th, 2013 at 2:24pm
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My son recently suggested I take a road flare or two along in my gear.  He thinks it would go a long way to discourage a nuisance bear.  It would also make a good fire starter and could be used as an emergency signal flare.
I suggested it would be somewhat problematical to get it started while a bear is dragging you from the tent.  But still sounds like it could be a good deterrent.
  
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solotripper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #16 - May 20th, 2013 at 3:50pm
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Quote:
I suggested it would be somewhat problematical to get it started while a bear is dragging you from the tent.  But still sounds like it could be a good deterrent.


That's what that pointy metal tip is for Wink
You mount the flare firmly in it's skull and ingnite. Grin
  
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solotripper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #17 - May 20th, 2013 at 6:01pm
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On a serious note IC, what about a stun gun?
Legal in Minnesota.
I doubt it would render a bear unconscious like a human, but 50,000+ volts on the nose should get it's attention.
The electrical crackle between the points might prove to be a deterrent too.
  
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intrepid_camper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #18 - May 20th, 2013 at 9:43pm
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I wouldn't be above poking the pointy flare end into a bear's eye, if I should be that close...
Stun gun sounds do-able...as long as you don't have it shooting the wrong way in the excitement.  IF you were in contact with the bear would you get the jolt too?
I think I'll just stay with the stout beaver stick, and on especially nervous nights, my camping axe also.  Smiley
  
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solotripper
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Re: haven't had a good bear thread in weeks - so....
Reply #19 - May 20th, 2013 at 10:32pm
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Quote:
IF you were in contact with the bear would you get the jolt too?


Good question? Of course if the bear had a hold of you, getting a jolt of high voltage/low amperage would be the least of your worries. Grin
Most stun guns I've seen have the trigger/handle oriented in such a way, that the business end has to be pointed away from the user.
Problem with a stick/camp axe, is that if your in your tent, you don't have the space to use it?
That stun gun would be for close quarters/last ditch measure only.

I keep Bear Spray in tent along with my knife.
Worse case scenario, I take a deep breath/close my eyes and hit the spray.
I figure I could crawl to water and rinse off as long as the bear is incapacitated or driven off.
  
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