Wild Black Bears
04-04-2010, 01:49 PM
#21
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Burning the Agitprop of the Apparat
Posts: 6,191
Such animals, who have no fear of humans and are in the habit of activity in areas with many people, are good candidates for trapping and removal to less populated areas or culling.
04-04-2010, 02:10 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Legacy FO
Posts: 4,105
Wow, that's a sad story for sure.
I can't imagine donning earbuds and heading into even the "local trails" this time of year. Most of my black bear encounters have been around Anchorage (vs. the "real" AK) between Girdwood and Eagle River. While I knew that there were bears in that area, each encounter involved a startle on both my and the bears part. The last thing I'd want to do is answer a startled Bear (or Wolf) with the inattention that comes with MP3 players.
That said, the Crow Pass trail is a fun hike that I highly recommend.
I can't imagine donning earbuds and heading into even the "local trails" this time of year. Most of my black bear encounters have been around Anchorage (vs. the "real" AK) between Girdwood and Eagle River. While I knew that there were bears in that area, each encounter involved a startle on both my and the bears part. The last thing I'd want to do is answer a startled Bear (or Wolf) with the inattention that comes with MP3 players.
That said, the Crow Pass trail is a fun hike that I highly recommend.
Recently my hunting club just had a game dinner. The black bear was mighty tasty. But the elk took first place hands down. Elk is better than chicken and beef. Amazing.
04-04-2010, 05:40 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Livin' the dream
Posts: 626
Elk is mighty tasty.
I'm not sure where this thread is headed, but it sort of seems to have taken an anthromorphic turn.
No stamping of claws here, but sort of worried by the message some of the last few posts have perhaps inadvertently put out.
I am referring to comments about "tameness", bear warnings in national and state parks being primarily for "liability's" sake, and bears as "pets" in historical terms.
Wrong message. I would hope anyone who cares about the long term welfare of these animals can see through some of this. Yes, there's some friendly back and forth about eating what might have eaten you, but this is serious business. Serious for you, the bears, and a realistic expectation of preserving the wild that surrounds us to varying degrees depending on geography.
If you go into the woods, Alaska or lower 48, expecting a black or brown bear to adhere to a certain code of conduct, you are a fool.
You are dangerous to yourself, your companions, and the bear.
Keep that in mind.
I'm not sure where this thread is headed, but it sort of seems to have taken an anthromorphic turn.
No stamping of claws here, but sort of worried by the message some of the last few posts have perhaps inadvertently put out.
I am referring to comments about "tameness", bear warnings in national and state parks being primarily for "liability's" sake, and bears as "pets" in historical terms.
Wrong message. I would hope anyone who cares about the long term welfare of these animals can see through some of this. Yes, there's some friendly back and forth about eating what might have eaten you, but this is serious business. Serious for you, the bears, and a realistic expectation of preserving the wild that surrounds us to varying degrees depending on geography.
If you go into the woods, Alaska or lower 48, expecting a black or brown bear to adhere to a certain code of conduct, you are a fool.
You are dangerous to yourself, your companions, and the bear.
Keep that in mind.
04-04-2010, 07:06 PM
#24
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Burning the Agitprop of the Apparat
Posts: 6,191
It really isn't a petting zoo out there. One might march boldly across the wilds in your favorite Che T-shirt kicking a hackey sack with a pork chop pinned to your back, but why tempt fate?
04-04-2010, 08:57 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Dream within a dream
Posts: 1,306
Great story peteq. I know this is supposed to work with cougars, but can anyone here with more first hand experience testify to the success rate of opening up your jacket to look bigger and sprinting at a bear while screaming to scare it away? I remember from scouting that they are much more afraid of humans than the other way around and will usually run away if they aren't protecting their cubs...but that's just from a textbook 
04-04-2010, 10:26 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Livin' the dream
Posts: 626
04-05-2010, 08:50 AM
#28
Libertarian Resistance
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: 757 FO
Posts: 1,057
04-05-2010, 12:48 PM
#29
Qbicle seat warmer
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: SAAB FO
Posts: 1,177
When the Alaskan Highway was built, the workers had black bears as pets. Back then, the bears weren't afraid of man. If you watch the History Channel shows on the making of the Alaskan Highway, they show video of female bears and cubs playing with the troops. Amazing.
Recently my hunting club just had a game dinner. The black bear was mighty tasty. But the elk took first place hands down. Elk is better than chicken and beef. Amazing.
Recently my hunting club just had a game dinner. The black bear was mighty tasty. But the elk took first place hands down. Elk is better than chicken and beef. Amazing.
I dont find bear to be that great. It does however make great sausage. What I could really go for is some moose meat.
04-05-2010, 01:04 PM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Two "paws up"
Yogi: "Way cool! A Scooby-snack that calls you and then delivers itself!"
Boo-Boo: "Unwraps itself too! The heck with picnic baskets!"
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