missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 anybody have any stories about bears? I mean have you ever bumped into one while out searching? I think that is another reason I was hesitant to go out in the early spring,, bears and baby bears the bear population is WAY up this year, and it kinda scares me to go out with a gps instead of a gun,, ya know? at least with a gun I ain't gonna die Sue Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 I would speculate that your chances of dying with a gun are nearly as great as dying without a gun. But that's just me. No bear stories here, pardon me if I'm off topic. Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 well you could die with the gun still. and what's life if no enjoyment? not many bears over here. but i'd have thought the normal common sense approach with care taken with food etc. bears rarely attack for the fun of it. Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 yea point taken with or without gun but thought that maybe some members have gotten between mama and baby bear,, that wouldn't be a good thing,, I am an outdoorsy gal, and know the bush,, but sometimes a mad mother bear scares the crap outa me! Sue Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 the idea of a mad mama bear should scare the bejesus out of anyone with half a brain. that's just more common sense. make noise so you don't suprise them. bears aint going to hide and then jump out on you! Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 yea and I have a medium sized dog too,, she would love to get out with us as well,, and I think the scent of a dog might be enough to scare any ol bear away,, Quote Link to comment
+Skyman Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Main thing is look out for bear poop with bells in it. Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 to be honest your still more likely to crash on the way to a cache than run into a mama and baby bear. that or walk off a cliff watching the arrow. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Black Bears are relativly harmless. Bring a friend or family. the conversation will have the bears running away before you even know they are there. Failing that 30 rounds pumped into the bear from your favorite fireamr will typically solve the problem. It's the cougars that you won't see coming. Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 ah yea,, the bears are the issue here,, there are loads of them,, but your probably right, if they hear/smell you they are probably G-O-N-E. cougars? ah yes,, don't think we gots them here whew thanks for the tips! Sue Quote Link to comment
+mini cacher Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Always cache with a buddy. This way, if you can't out run the bear, you need only out run your buddy. Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 oh boy don't that sound encouraging,, but wait,, that means if I find someone old,, but with some meat on their bones I should be ok??? LOL ok,, I'll post something in the buddy search,, oohhh I am only kidding,, but it's funny!! no? Quote Link to comment
+Langner91 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 I can never remember, are you supposed to play dead for Grizzly bears and run from black bears, or vice versa? I hope I never have to make a quick ID and come up with the right solution to that puzzle... Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 sheesshh,, we don't have grizzly's here,, but I think they say to play dead,, yea like I am gonna play dead when a locomotive is coming my way,, uhuh lol too funny,, they say if it's a black bear to raise your arms to make you look bigger and yell and make loads of noise,, never had the opportunity to, and hope to never have the opportunity to either Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 NEVER run from a bear near you. That is a sure way to show how vulnerable you are and give reason for the bear to chase (if it feels threatened enough). Calmly and slowly back away and most of the time you will be ok. Make a little noise on the trail and you will more often then not scare them away before even seeing them. I have seen conflicting advice about what to do if a bear is charging you. Some "experts" say to curl up, protect your head, and play dead. Other "experts" say to act like some crazed fool and wave your arms, throw rocks and sticks and shout. Wouldn't want to try either! Travel in groups, make some noise, don't approach bears you see from a distance and you should enjoy the outdoors with no "encounters". Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 can never remember, are you supposed to play dead for Grizzly bears and run from black bears, or vice versa? Never, ever run from any bear. It makes you look like dinner and can trigger their pursuit instinct. Besides, you aren't going to outrun a bear. They are extremely fast. I've encountered a few bears while geocaching and hiking in the woods of NJ. But where I see them far more often is walking down my street dumping over garbage cans, or climbing my tree going after my bird feeder. They're becoming a problem here, largely because there is no hunting season. Whenever they try to start one, the "bear huggers" mount an extensive campaign and TPTB back off. I just read that the state is considering declaring "bear free zones", where any bear can be shot on sight (by the police or Fish & Game personnel). The people who've been saying "well the bear were there first" all these years when the rural residents were complaining are singing a different tune now that the bruins are wandering around in cities and major towns. Quote Link to comment
+Langner91 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 ...Some "experts" say to curl up, protect your head, and play dead. Other "experts" say to act like some crazed fool and wave your arms, throw rocks and sticks and shout. ... Do you happen to know which group of "experts" is older? Quote Link to comment
+beopots Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 A few years back we took a trip up thru Yellowstone and up to Glacier natl. park(yes we did a few caches). While we were in Yellowstone, we took a quick hike to Osprey falls, It was nice hike and on the way we spotted a small bear, we wondered if it was a cub and we had an extra sharp eye out for mom. Once we arrived at the falls, we talked with some other hikers that were there and told them to watch out for the bear. We spent some time at the falls and started to head back to the trailhead, well smack in the middle of the trail was this bear and about 10 feet away were the other hikers, taking pictures and generally being ignorant. Once they decided they needed the bear off of the trail to move on, they started THROWING ROCKS!! We were stopped further back on the trail waiting, watching. We did some major bushwacking up the hill to the next switchback of the trail, left those people to their own fate. Once we were established in Glacier for a day, we decided to do some hikes. We hiked several trails, spying several grizzlies in the distance. The last trail of the day was called 'Red Rock Lake'(I think), we started out with the sun low in the sky. We hiked fast as to make it back before sundown, we reached the lake clicked a few pics, and started our way back. The bugs were out in force, there were sevral spots where we ducked our heads and ran. As we were hiking, all of us were exhausted and walking silently from a full day of hiking. I had an inkling and started to try and talk or sing with the others, with failed attempts. We rounded a bend in the trail and there sat a HUGE Grizz(it seemed huge at the time) on the trail. We all stopped and quietly decided on a course of action. We all agreed it would be best to slowly back away. As we did so, the bear slowly lost interest and moved from the trail. Someone remembered that making loud noise was supposed to scare animals away. We started to shout and clap, and this regained the bears interest, he came back to the trail and swatted a big paw across the trail. Needless to say we shut up pretty quickly! Slowly the bear left the trail and as we deemed it safe enough to pass, we resumed our hike at a much faster pace, and we all changed our pants at the car! Quote Link to comment
+beopots Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 I have seen conflicting advice about what to do if a bear is charging you. Some "experts" say to curl up, protect your head, and play dead. Other "experts" say to act like some crazed fool and wave your arms, throw rocks and sticks and shout. Wouldn't want to try either! I would say no on the noise and the sticks/rocks, but I guess it depends.... read my post. Travel in groups, make some noise, don't approach bears you see from a distance and you should enjoy the outdoors with no "encounters". I would reccomend this! Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 whoa,, quite the story,, I guess I should be thankful that we don't have grizzly's here,, only black bears here,, Quote Link to comment
+WhatsRNutts Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 we don't really have wild aminals here...prarie dogs, raccoons, nasty jackrabbits....thats about it! lol Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 (edited) Bear Information - This web site has good advice and solid information (but keep in mind they are trying to push a product) Edited August 10, 2005 by StarBrand Quote Link to comment
Shoobie & the Sand Crabs Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 I ran into a bear not while geocaching though it was no more than 30 feet in front of me It didn't seem to surprised I think it saw me before. some amish guy ran into it before me coming the other way he came about 5-10 feet away from it. scared the black bear which then ran up a tree. Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 This Web Site Mentions both of the tactics I mentioned above (go figure). Quote Link to comment
+Recdiver Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 <snip interesting story> and we all changed our pants at the car! Yeah I figure if I encounter a bear in the wild it would run the other way cuz I'd probably foul my linen and that would drive the bear away. A few months agp while hiking in the in mountains/woods we kept hearing odd noises and saw something moving down the trail from us. Also noticed some large paw prints. My daughter called the ranger station when we got home and they said that there had been a number of reports of a large cougar in that area. Apparently it had been trying to warn us off and in our ignorance we probably pissed it off. Guess we were lucky. Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 there had been a number of reports of a large cougar in that area. Apparently it had been trying to warn us off and in our ignorance we probably pissed it off. Guess we were lucky. yikes!!! Quote Link to comment
+bigdog999 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 (edited) While geocaching, you run into various situations where there's always some safety concern. A gun is a form of protection, but not always the best method. As with most animals, make noise and you probably will never see them. There is usually only a problem when you come upon them abruptly. I do have a concealed carry permit, and I always carry my 32 caliber. I have never had to use it, and do not advertise it's presence. I'm more concerned with the two legged animals than the 4. Edited August 10, 2005 by bigdog999 Quote Link to comment
Mushtang Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 I saw a bear out geocaching. He was using a Magellan and wasn't having any luck with finding the ammo can. We worked together and I eventually found it and we both signed the log. Then after I covered it back up he went back and mauled the container, broke it open, and scattered the contents around just to get to the candy I'd left inside. What a jerk. Support the right to arm bears! Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 ...cougars? ah yes,, don't think we gots them here whew ... Umm, do you want the bad news? You got 'em. Quote Link to comment
missmod88 Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 well yea,, I suspected. there's been sightings of them here,, although rare. thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted August 11, 2005 Share Posted August 11, 2005 conflicting advice prob comes down to the fact that if a bear attacks you only have one chance. that the bear looses interest. hence sometimes the people play dead sometimes they make themselves look bigger, either way the bear got bored. the times these tactics didn't work you don't get to hear wha the person tried!! the argument that the bears were there first...so these same people don't seek medical help? well microbes and germs were here before they were. why kill them off either? now rabbits they're scarey!!! Quote Link to comment
+Jester2112 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 (edited) Main thing is look out for bear poop with bells in it. that's one of my all time favorites. Hadn't thought about it in years and you almost made me pee my pants!!! For those of you who are un-initiated to this: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEAR ATTACK For another of my all time favorites concerning bears, visit: JUST IN CASE THE ABOVE LINK DOESN'T SAVE YOUR LIFE...THIS WON'T EITHER Edited August 12, 2005 by Jester2112 Quote Link to comment
+One of the Texas Vikings Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 To quote the old Smothers Brothers skit; "there were pumas in the crevices" (cravises) Quote Link to comment
geo_boy_2001 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 what about snakes I found a rattle snake Quote Link to comment
+WhatsRNutts Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 what about snakes I found a rattle snake I forgot about rattlers. they are as common as fish in the sea out here. a rule of thumb is never go walking around in fields without a gun... Quote Link to comment
+CompassCollector Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 conflicting advice prob comes down to the fact that if a bear attacks you only have one chance. that the bear looses interest. hence sometimes the people play dead sometimes they make themselves look bigger, either way the bear got bored. the times these tactics didn't work you don't get to hear wha the person tried!! I have heard from a former National Park Ranger, that the bears in different regions exhibit different behaviors. For example: In some natl. parks they will tell you to put your food in your car. In other natl. parks the will tell you *not* to put your food in your car, especially if you like your car, but to hang it in a tree instead. Bears are fairly smart, and many of the behaviors are socially transmitted: They learn from other bears in their area. My best stab at advice is to check with local authorities about what is best with regard to the local population of wildlife, instead of relying on generic advice about bears in general. Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 I saw a bear out geocaching. He was using a Magellan and wasn't having any luck with finding the ammo can. We worked together and I eventually found it and we both signed the log. Then after I covered it back up he went back and mauled the container, broke it open, and scattered the contents around just to get to the candy I'd left inside. What a jerk. Support the right to arm bears! Garmin bears would never do that. Quote Link to comment
+chstress53 Posted August 14, 2005 Share Posted August 14, 2005 Well the forum title said animals. ran across this fellow while caching recently in CostaRica. Quote Link to comment
+Sue Gremlin Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 We spotted a big honkin' bear yesterday at the Blairstown airport in Warren County, NJ. It was big. Did I say big? It was, you know. Big. It was just really big. Neither one of us had ever sighted an actual bear in the wild. I thought black bears were smallish. Um. That's not the case. We really need to read up on what to do when you have such an encounter. Quote Link to comment
+BillsBayou Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 When venturing into an area of potential danger, always bring a partner you can out run (or at least trip). Quote Link to comment
+dkwolf Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Sounds like the rules of diving in shark-infested waters... 1) Always dive with a knife 2) Always dive with a buddy 3) In case of shark, stab buddy Or, my favorite quote from Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods"... ".....the experts say to never run when charged by a bear. I say go ahead and run. It'll give you something to do with the last 7 seconds of your life." (okay, I don't have it exact, but it's close enough) Quote Link to comment
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