A trend in bear attacks?

[JellyJar]

The first link is to a story about a man that killed an elderly grizzly bear that suddenly charged him. He stopped it with a Ruger Alaskan revolver in 454.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/31/man-kills-charging-bear-with-454-casull/

The second link is to a new thread here on THR about a man that killed an elderly grizzly bear with a .38!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=508236


I realize that two incidences do not necessarily a trend make but given how much grizzly bears are protected nowadays it occurred to me that now and in the future we can expect to see more and more occurrences of old grizzly bears that can no longer hunt well attacking humans and our animals out of desperation. It appears that more such bears are living to old age and suffering the infirmaries that comes with old age.

Perhaps in some areas now off limits to grizzly hunting, or where the hunting is very restricted, we should increase hunting these animals provided that only the older bears are targeted. Ones that are past their prime breeding age.

Otherwise I expect we will see some tragedies with people getting killed.

 

[Sunray]

It's more about people moving into areas where there are bears than old bears. In any case, old bears are too smart to bother with people. They know that people cause them nothing but trouble. They got old by avoiding people.
The number of people who are terrified of Yogi and think they're going to be attacked, amazes me. Most of 'em should just stay home.

 

[Bhamrichard]

I'm more afraid of BooBoo

 

[ants]

Trend. But which trend is it?

An increase in the incidence of bear attacks.

OR

An increase in the incidence of sensationalized reporting of bear attacks.








The media is too smart to miss a beat.

 

[Shadow 7D]

why do people who have never even seen a black, let a lone a "Grizzly" (there is a difference between brown and grizzly, but I ain't tellin)

have to sensationalize some attack, or better try to nit-pick what to carry in the wood, I mean, hell that's like me in alaska asking what type of .22 to go hunt hogs with, yeppers darned artic circle is over run with swine....

So as nothing really as made the news locally, I'd say yep it is the same trend as usual, guys in bear habitat running into bears...

 

[Oro]

The "trend" is the warm winter in Alaska and the PNW. They are coming out earlier this year. Nothing unusual.

 

[Cosmoline]

Brown bears are not a protected species in Alaska, where you cite your examples. DLP killings are not uncommon--the the one that allegedly took place in *December* is a surprise, but not impossible. The area in question was not unusually warm at that time, though we have had a really war February. From the photos posted I can see some snow that absolutely looks like deep freeze, which tends to support the report of thirty below temps.

The reports of AK bear shootings that work their way to the lower 48 or the internet are not a sound basis to draw any conclusions. Most are just dealt with uneventfully.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

Perhaps in some areas now off limits to grizzly hunting, or where the hunting is very restricted

That would be the entire lower 48, and it ain't changing anytime soon. Just getting a wolf season in a few states turned into a huge fiasco, a grizzly season would send people over the top. They're increasing their range every year, so incidents with people will naturally become more common.

why do people who have never even seen a black, let a lone a "Grizzly" (there is a difference between brown and grizzly, but I ain't tellin)

have to sensationalize some attack, or better try to nit-pick what to carry in the wood

I'm sure everyone's just trying to be helpful. Or something.

 

[wishin]

There have been several reports of bear sightings in middle Georgia in the last couple of years. That's a bit farther south than you'd expect!

 

[Alaskan]

I live in the same area as the man in the first article. I see him around town quite often. In the past few years there has been an increase in bear/human encounters. I will admit that this area is growing and more humans are living in areas that were primarily woodlands before development.
On the other hand I have lived in this area for 19 years and have seen more bears in the last two years than the other 17 combined. Brown bear hunting in this area is very restricted. It is draw permit only. Even if you are lucky enough to draw a tag, you still might not be able to hunt if to many bears are killed in defense of life or property, hit by a car, etc.
My opinion is that the bears are becoming habituated to an easier food source. It is easier for them to forage on the garbage, dog food, bird feeders, etc. that irresponsible people leave out on there property, than it is for them to find it in the wild.
I don't believe it has anything to do with global warming.

 

[Shadow 7D]

True, last year we had a guy get mauled in the middle of Eagle River, and while it's not a developed as say, hillside, anchorage, it's much the same, large area of undeveloped land that runs up against urban development, funny is leaving your trash out is a $50 fine, but if you are a neighborhood problem, the F&G troopers can cite you for illegal bear baiting.

This has to do with living in an area that still has large predators, and when you do, you take some precautions and don't wonder around without a clue, over in S&T people get reminded not to be in "white" all the time.

 

[Averageman]

The bears have been reading the threads here and changing tactics

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Perhaps in some areas now off limits to grizzly hunting, or where the hunting is very restricted, we should increase hunting these animals provided that only the older bears are targeted. Ones that are past their prime breeding age.

One of the most common and reliable ways of aging bears is by their teeth. Just how the heck is a hunter going to be able to check the age on a bear before knowing if it is an older or younger bear? First he tranqs the bear, pulls a tooth or checks overall wear patterning, then if the bear is valid for hunting, waits for it to wake up and the drugs to wear off so that he can then take a sporting shot at it?

 

[JellyJar]

Double Naught Spy

That is a good question. I suspect, perhaps incorrectly, that old bears would have lots of gray in their fur. Does anyone know about that?

 

[Gouranga]

That is a good question. I suspect, perhaps incorrectly, that old bears would have lots of gray in their fur. Does anyone know about that?

That or they walk hunched over and yell at kids on skateboards. You see a bear doing that..he is fair game.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Old bears do not necessarily have grey hair and some bears will go through white/grey or blue grey pelage phases at different points in their lives.

While I am sure the skateboard factor is 100% accurate, the problem is the lack of skateboarders out in the wilds. So the obvious answer is to import more skateboarders into bear country.