Short bike-chase-bear story
11-20-11, 11:40 PM
#1
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11-21-11, 12:00 AM
#2
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I've lived about a mile from the Toiyabe National Forest for more than 30 years, and I've never seen a bear in my yard (we have seen a few in the NF). This year Nevada introduced a bear hunting season, ostensibly to "control damage" done by bears to, well, garbage cans and dumpsters. Wildlife biologists agree the season will have no effect, but, well, politics...
So two days after the season opened, a mess o' bears just sauntered down into the wildland-urban interface and pretty much took up housekeeping. I came home last night about dark, went to the back yard to get the dog and walked around front. Strolling right up the walk toward my front door was a BIG bear. I've done some stories on trapping and moving bears with the state Dept of Wildlife, and I'd guess this one was at least 300 pounds, maybe 400. But I'll grant they look bigger at night and by surprise.
So two days after the season opened, a mess o' bears just sauntered down into the wildland-urban interface and pretty much took up housekeeping. I came home last night about dark, went to the back yard to get the dog and walked around front. Strolling right up the walk toward my front door was a BIG bear. I've done some stories on trapping and moving bears with the state Dept of Wildlife, and I'd guess this one was at least 300 pounds, maybe 400. But I'll grant they look bigger at night and by surprise.
11-21-11, 01:29 PM
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
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I am suprized, nay amazed, that a person would be foolish enough to be cycling through the wild without some manner of firearm for protection. Hiker, biker, whatever..you don't go to the wilds w/o some manner of protection. One shot into the air from a .22 and bear would have gladly put a BUNCH of space between them. Poor planning can often result in a funeral and they were lucky.
11-22-11, 07:04 PM
#4
Resident smartass.
"Holy Mother of God! I exclaimed quietly. "He's coming this way. Bears aren't supposed to come toward people."
Sorry to burst the bubble there, but bears WILL do just that. They are trying to figure out whether or not you are a threat. At least they got the leaving part right.
Sorry to burst the bubble there, but bears WILL do just that. They are trying to figure out whether or not you are a threat. At least they got the leaving part right.
11-22-11, 08:12 PM
#5
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1) You do all know that nancysv (who's article that is) posts here ... usually in the touring forum? You can ask her personally about the bear encounter there.
2) I also presume the person who foolishly suggested a firearm knows that the encounter took place in Canada, quite possibly in a provincial or national park where firearms are banned
3) Personally, I have encountered many bears in Canada, and I would never have stopped that close to one to take a picture. It's just a bear ... keep cycling.
2) I also presume the person who foolishly suggested a firearm knows that the encounter took place in Canada, quite possibly in a provincial or national park where firearms are banned
3) Personally, I have encountered many bears in Canada, and I would never have stopped that close to one to take a picture. It's just a bear ... keep cycling.
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