OK, to bring it back on track, I agree that knowledge and common sense are essential.
Like others have said, take precautions. Here in the East, hanging all smellies, and not eating in camp are enough. Other than that, just enjoy any encounter with wildlife when presented with the opportunity. Ultimately it's why we're all out there anyways.
Thru my life I have had my share of close bear events, never hostile, perhaps aggressive by human terms.
Collected incidents stories of others; and read a few books of essays.
One things stays foremost in my mind : persons attacked mention the stench of the bear and bear breathe.
I have laid in the night looking up at the stars and smelled an enormous aroma : Is that brother bear close by ? ? ?
Each time it moved on. My smile stays with me for a while, as I sniff the air, trying for the scent again. Hoping not to smell it ! !
( my food is far away )
Thinking that ( basically ) understanding dogs and trying for some understanding of wild animals;
AND remembering some scientific research with bears and our hormonal scents :
I am not a threat ! ! I am not food ! !
I am in your territory ! ! I am just an annoyance ! ! and please pass by in your hunt for more delicious food.
Tru dat...Originally Posted by Law Dawg
I'll wager that any of us that have spent any time of note outdoors have been MUCH closer to large predators than we would like to know.
Omp, there it is! Wouldn't go anywhere without one, irregardless of park regulations. Yep, nothing commands respect from man or beast more than staring down the bore of a nice…shinny…lead-launcher.
Last edited by leepingreenlizards; 10-01-2010 at 14:46.
Yeah, well I'd rather carry the extra weight, than be pooped out all over the forest floor...or at the least carried out in pieces and there's no denying that bear attacks are on the rise; and irregardless of the reason, I'll do just about everything and anything to prevent myself or another from becoming a statistic...whether man or beast.
I find there is nothing in the woods around my campground I can't take care of with a little napalm.
But seriously, just relax and don't worry about it. I've been backpacking for over 20 years, and I've never been hurt by the wildlife. Closest I ever came was waking up while dirtbagging staring a skunk in the face, and had a raccoon brush my leg while scurrying around our camp fire looking for dropped food. Neither of them were in the least bit threatening.
The raccoon scared the crap out of me though. It's a little unnerving having something fuzzy bump into your leg after it's dark out and you can't see what's going on.
Fulfillment is living a life that makes the lives of others worth living.
DIY is addicting and fulfilling!
"If guns kill people, then pencils mispell words, cars cause people to drink and drive, and spoons made Rosie O'donnell fat."
I'm gonna close this one early. If you're interested in this topic, please search the archives as it's been discussed a few times already.
"Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs
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