Cosmoline
Member
Ran into a black bear sow and two cubs on the Turnagain trail today. They're like squirrels in there these days, there are so many of them. And they always skitter back into the bushes. But this sow had apparently been on the warpath since earlier in the day when some dogs were chasing her cubs around (found out about that later talking to some other hikers). I turned the corner and one two three bears started tearing towards me. I boldly ran away away of course.
It wasn't really a DLP situation as these are small black bears, but it's possible to get smacked or bit. Can't really shoot sow or cub black bears in defense of life unless you're prepared to take grief and jokes about it from the whole city.
I know Alaska bear charges are a major topic of interest, and the video may help give people an idea of how these charges can happen. I took it after I thought I was in safety, but then one of the bunch kept coming. I heard the branches start to snap and that's when I start yelling again. Called it a day after that. This bunch obviously had a major grudge on and I wasn't prepared to run the gauntlet and have to run it again on the return trip. That's the first time in many hundreds of trips on that trail I've had to turn around due to mere black bear. Maybe it's a sign of things to come, as they do seem to be getting more aggressive. Three had to be shot yesterday after breaking into a house.
Gun-wise, I brought my new Speed Six and had it in a belly rig. I hadn't sighted it in yet, and when I started the hike I thought "well it's a busy day on the trail with a ton of people and we're practically in the city... etc etc" and I figured I'd just load with some 200 grainers and sight it in on the way back home. More convenient that way. Later at the range I realized the previous owner had adjusted the rear sight way right, and my point of impact would have been off by a few inches even at ten yards! So in short, good thing it wasn't a brown bear. Bad on me for taking an untested gun and hoping for the best.
Another thing, the folks who say you should stand your ground when charged are welcome to go back in there and do it. Me, I see that many pairs of eyes rushing at me and I'm running backwards. That's just the way it's going to be. If I'd insisted on standing still at the bend when Mom bear was only about ten yards distant, I could well have gotten bit or slashed in the eyes.
Brown bear are about four times bigger and meaner, but they also use the undergrowth tunnels like you see this one doing. They can veer off, burrow through and then come back on the trail or even emerge behind you. There are networks of tunnels all around in the undergrowth that both types of bears use. Our trial system bisects these all through the wooded areas around here.
The video has a little strong language due to circumstances, but I think Art's Grandma would understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYenxZOkW2M
It wasn't really a DLP situation as these are small black bears, but it's possible to get smacked or bit. Can't really shoot sow or cub black bears in defense of life unless you're prepared to take grief and jokes about it from the whole city.
I know Alaska bear charges are a major topic of interest, and the video may help give people an idea of how these charges can happen. I took it after I thought I was in safety, but then one of the bunch kept coming. I heard the branches start to snap and that's when I start yelling again. Called it a day after that. This bunch obviously had a major grudge on and I wasn't prepared to run the gauntlet and have to run it again on the return trip. That's the first time in many hundreds of trips on that trail I've had to turn around due to mere black bear. Maybe it's a sign of things to come, as they do seem to be getting more aggressive. Three had to be shot yesterday after breaking into a house.
Gun-wise, I brought my new Speed Six and had it in a belly rig. I hadn't sighted it in yet, and when I started the hike I thought "well it's a busy day on the trail with a ton of people and we're practically in the city... etc etc" and I figured I'd just load with some 200 grainers and sight it in on the way back home. More convenient that way. Later at the range I realized the previous owner had adjusted the rear sight way right, and my point of impact would have been off by a few inches even at ten yards! So in short, good thing it wasn't a brown bear. Bad on me for taking an untested gun and hoping for the best.
Another thing, the folks who say you should stand your ground when charged are welcome to go back in there and do it. Me, I see that many pairs of eyes rushing at me and I'm running backwards. That's just the way it's going to be. If I'd insisted on standing still at the bend when Mom bear was only about ten yards distant, I could well have gotten bit or slashed in the eyes.
Brown bear are about four times bigger and meaner, but they also use the undergrowth tunnels like you see this one doing. They can veer off, burrow through and then come back on the trail or even emerge behind you. There are networks of tunnels all around in the undergrowth that both types of bears use. Our trial system bisects these all through the wooded areas around here.
The video has a little strong language due to circumstances, but I think Art's Grandma would understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYenxZOkW2M
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