Cooking under tarp/near hammock

**BillyBob58** · 01-04-2010, 13:03

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

That kind of speculation cannot help you. My wife had a professor who taught about low probability diseases. He always said, "It's never rare when it's in your chair."

Next time you have a staring contest with any bear in the woods, just assume he's a killer bear, ok?

Be safe.

I can't argue with that. In fact, that is my very point and the reason I posted the article : don't take a bear for granted just because he is a black bear. I will take your advice about what to assume.

Not that it will ever keep me from going where I want to go. But I will at least attempt to not be stupid.

**Cannibal** · 01-04-2010, 13:07

Forget the Grizzly and Black bears. It's always the quiet ones that surprise you; beware the mighty Koala Bear!

**Hawk-eye** · 01-04-2010, 13:11

Now that's funny Cannibal ... I don't care who you are!

Killer Koalas!

**Mustardman** · 01-04-2010, 13:13

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

I would think that an entire magazine of whatever pistol caliber was handy, similarly applied to the face of the bruin, would be a good bet.

Don't ever suggest that on a gun forum. They will insist that a bear will swat off anything smaller than a .44 magnum.

My brother in law hunts black bear with a bow. Now, I assume he carries something with some more oomph as a sidearm - just in case the arrow doesn't do the job and he gets charged, but I'll agree with you... The caliber of pistol you have at your side is a lot more useful than the caliber of firearm you left in the truck because it's too heavy to reasonably carry.

And I've given a lot of thought to this lately, as I'm contemplating picking up a handgun to carry when I get deep off the beaten path in some planned future excursions.

**lori** · 01-04-2010, 13:27

There have been no deaths in Yosemite due to bear attack. The only injuries on record are dumb, avoidable incidents usually involving improper food storage - a black tore into a tent where kids AND food were stored at night, and the kids were injured when they startled the bear by being there.

There are however deaths caused by DEER. Not all of them while the people were driving. The deer are as habituated as the bears and walk up to you looking for handouts. Deer or bear, I am the one waving my poles and shouting to get the animal to leave before it's within twenty feet of me.

Just to inject some real numbers into the conversation: deaths caused by animals in the US. Note that there are not even enough deaths by bear to make it as a separate category - the bugs and dogs are the dangerous critters. Which is not to say that you need to worry less about bears - just that you needn't worry solely about bears, and perhaps need to pay more attention to the less impressive species that don't have big teeth.

Also, I think the hikers are the biggest danger to themselves... but that's a different thread.

**MacEntyre** · 01-04-2010, 13:36

Originally Posted by Mustardman

Don't ever suggest that on a gun forum...

I got it from a gun forum!

Here in NC if you bow hunt in a bows-only season, you are not allowed to carry any firearm. A friend of mine who bowhunts hogs says he always nocks another arrow immediately after letting his arrow fly, just in case a hog comes at him!

I carry my Spesnaz shovel for backup when bowhunting.

**Hawk-eye** · 01-04-2010, 13:56

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

I carry my Spesnaz shovel for backup when bowhunting.

Note to self ... don't go bow hunting with Mac ... he's not too accurate with that shovel. Dang near took off his own head once!

**vitamaltz** · 01-04-2010, 13:57

I am definitely more afraid of deer than bear. Any wildlife can be really dangerous. Ever seen a cornered squirrel? They lose their cuteness really fast. My wife knows a woman who had her eye poked out by a great blue heron. No urban legend, I promise.

**Hawk-eye** · 01-04-2010, 14:01

Originally Posted by vitamaltz

... Ever seen a cornered squirrel? They lose their cuteness really fast....

According to my boy Spencer, squirrels are the scourge of the earth and should be barked at, chased and severely beaten if caught!
At least that's his theory!

Of course that's his take on rabbits and birds too!

Spencer on Squirrel Patrol!

**Cannibal** · 01-04-2010, 14:06

Originally Posted by vitamaltz

I am definitely more afraid of deer than bear. Any wildlife can be really dangerous. Ever seen a cornered squirrel? They lose their cuteness really fast. My wife knows a woman who had her eye poked out by a great blue heron. No urban legend, I promise.

I've had Blue Herons chase me with evil in their hearts down on Florida golf courses. Most golfers there are much more concerned with the birds than the gators.