Grizzly bear kills two people in Banff National Park

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Yeah.. The idea of the bear getting desperate with hibernation encroaching and seeing humans as an option, even if not ideal or preferred, is a nightmarish thought for people.

Wonder if this was more than a mauling out of defense/surprise, but predatory, as the accounts appear to hint at.

And lol.. bear bells.

[Igottago]

It seems like a lot of people take the dangers of backcountry camping/hiking pretty lightly. Most people I've met who do it take their dogs. Do a lot of people who trek out there actually have a good education on what to do if they have a bear encounter?

I'm not a camper but if I was to spend more time in the wilderness I would absolutely be concerned about bears. People always retort a bear attack is very rare (maybe it is), but it certainly does happen and every so often you hear stories like this. Would be a horrifying way to go.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Torture

Yep. Although I'd add that a bear bell isn't going to do anything at all. Best case, it does nothing and the bear ignores it. Worst case, it actually attracts curious bears.

Bear bells are actually somewhat effective in situations where the bears are minding their own business. They decrease the chances of startling a bear. Once again, different from a predation type scenario.

I'm not sure how we can deal with predation though? Dispatch teams of armed rangers to lookout for aggressive bears and proactively take them out?

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Igottago

It seems like a lot of people take the dangers of backcountry camping/hiking pretty lightly. Most people I've met who do it take their dogs. Do a lot of people who trek out there actually have a good education on what to do if they have a bear encounter?

I'm not a camper but if I was to spend more time in the wilderness I would absolutely be concerned about bears. People always retort a bear attack is very rare (maybe it is), but it certainly does happen and every so often you hear stories like this. Would be a horrifying way to go.

To be fair, you probably have a higher risk of slipping and breaking a bone or crashing your car on the way to the trailhead. It also sounds like these two were pretty experienced in the backcountry so it seems like it might be a case of bad luck and bear that was desperate to fatten up before the winter.

But yeah, from personal experience it seems there are lots that could use a refresher on how to avoid bears and what to do:

In general best practices are:
-Make noise and travel in a group. You are much less likely to even run into a bear in the first place or be attacked if you travel in a group. Also be aware of other sounds/wind and try to make more noise when that's the case - the only times I've run across a bear and surprised it while backpacking were times when we were walking into the wind or along a stream.
-Clean campsite. Store any attractants in bear locker / tree / etc. Ideally, cook a bit away from your tent.
-Avoid travelling during dawn/dusk when bears are most active
-Dog on leash if you must bring it.
-Be prepared (Bear spray readily accessible and know how to use it)

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Chances of predation involving humans probably increases tenfold at this time of year for obvious reasons.

You won't see much in the way of alternative food sources out there right now.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Torture

To be fair, you probably have a higher risk of slipping and breaking a bone or crashing your car on the way to the trailhead. It also sounds like these two were pretty experienced in the backcountry so it seems like it might be a case of bad luck and bear that was desperate to fatten up before the winter.

But yeah, from personal experience it seems there are lots that could use a refresher on how to avoid bears and what to do:

In general best practices are:
-Make noise and travel in a group. You are much less likely to even run into a bear in the first place or be attacked if you travel in a group. Also be aware of other sounds/wind and try to make more noise when that's the case - the only times I've run across a bear and surprised it while backpacking were times when we were walking into the wind or along a stream.
-Clean campsite. Store any attractants in bear locker / tree / etc. Ideally, cook a bit away from your tent.
-Dog on leash if you must bring it.
-Be prepared (Bear spray readily accessible and know how to use it)

That's why I am always pumping mean beats through my Jambox as loud as possible on the trail.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Soon they'll have trail subwoofers.

[undercoverbrother]

Hell Yeah

https://www.yankodesign.com/2013/01/...ster-backpack/

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Soon they'll have trail subwoofers.

So, smaller dogs then?

[RichieRich]

Bear spray - where is economical place to get a new can in Calgary? Mines a few years past it’s “best before”…. And yes I still carry it around. Better than nothing. (Besides lots of noise and always going in groups).

[dammage79]

It's the silent predators who DGAF if you're human or not, they'll hunt ya down for hours and wait. Cougars. I'm far more weary of Cougars than Grizzlies. Because it doesn't matter how much noise you make, how much spray you have, you cannot fight what you cannot see, until it's too late. Well majority of the time anyways. But if they want you, they'll take you.

And in the instance of Cougars, I'm also not so sure it's wise to have anything but a trained dog on the trails. Fur babies are just snacks and an attractant for big cats.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by blankall

Not a whole lot you can do.

The bear finishing off the couple and its dog, seems like a predatory attack to me. The news article and the statements from the experts also hint at predation multiple times.

It's that time of year when bears are hungry. The population of Grizzly's, around Banff, has double in the last decade or so, which means more bears sharing the food resources as they instinctively fatten up for winter.

Humans are likely not their preferred diet, but there's less to go around. A bell isn't going to keep you safe, when the bear is actively hunting.

IMO more likely a predatory attack on the dog, and then choosing to fight the 'competitors' for the kill (because that's what they'd seem like to the bear).

I think it's far less likely that the bear stalked and attacked 2 humans and a dog. Maybe there are other scenarios, but there's not indication this was at camp (where one individual might be viewed as prey) instead of on the trail.

Originally Posted by blankall

Bear bells are actually somewhat effective in situations where the bears are minding their own business. They decrease the chances of startling a bear. Once again, different from a predation type scenario.

I'm not sure how we can deal with predation though? Dispatch teams of armed rangers to lookout for aggressive bears and proactively take them out?

Maybe a cowbell worn on the front. Have you ever crossed paths with a hiker going the opposite direction wearing a bear bell on the back of their pack? You don't hear it until you pass each other. There are far better ways to give bears advanced warning.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by blankall

Bear bells are actually somewhat effective in situations where the bears are minding their own business. They decrease the chances of startling a bear. Once again, different from a predation type scenario.

This is debatable. There's research that bears don't notice the sound and likely don't attribute it to humans. One bear biologist suggests it might actually attract curious bears. The best tool to deter bears is your voice. It's annoying and you feel stupid but it's best to shout, sing, or similar.

The only thing you're accomplishing with a bear bell is annoying yourself and fellow hikers.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Torture

This is debatable. There's research that bears don't notice the sound and likely don't attribute it to humans. One bear biologist suggests it might actually attract curious bears. The best tool to deter bears is your voice. It's annoying and you feel stupid but it's best to shout, sing, or similar.

The only thing you're accomplishing with a bear bell is annoying yourself and fellow hikers.

Voices are also much more effective than music.

One town tried blasting rock music to discourage bears from feasting at their landfill. Didn't work. They tried talk radio and it was much more effective.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

that's why i am always pumping mean beats through my jambox as loud as possible on the trail.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1560656434659876867

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

IMO more likely a predatory attack on the dog, and then choosing to fight the 'competitors' for the kill (because that's what they'd seem like to the bear).

I think it's far less likely that the bear stalked and attacked 2 humans and a dog. Maybe there are other scenarios, but there's not indication this was at camp (where one individual might be viewed as prey) instead of on the trail.

Maybe a cowbell worn on the front. Have you ever crossed paths with a hiker going the opposite direction wearing a bear bell on the back of their pack? You don't hear it until you pass each other. There are far better ways to give bears advanced warning.

An article I read said they had checked in at 5pm on a satellite device saying they were at camp for the night.



If I were to join the random guessing game, I'd guess maybe they were sleeping with the dog in the tent, and when a curious bear got close, it barked, created chaos and that was what led to it.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Not really. Chances of attack go up if a dog is present, and they go up even further if the dog is off leash. Plenty of research supports this.

https://www.bigskyfishing.com/campin...ng-hiking-dog/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...fety-1.4879813

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/v...26&context=hwi

Our results provide additional justification for closing recreational areas such as trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas to dogs to reduce the risk of an attack, especially if the area is being frequented by a female bear with young.

Grizzlies typically don't go after people unless they feel threatened by them. People with dogs are a different story. I'm in bear country anywhere from 2-7 days a week, no way would I bring my dog.

So you have iron clad proof that this specific attack was caused by the dog??

[blankall]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's the silent predators who DGAF if you're human or not, they'll hunt ya down for hours and wait. Cougars. I'm far more weary of Cougars than Grizzlies. Because it doesn't matter how much noise you make, how much spray you have, you cannot fight what you cannot see, until it's too late. Well majority of the time anyways. But if they want you, they'll take you.

And in the instance of Cougars, I'm also not so sure it's wise to have anything but a trained dog on the trails. Fur babies are just snacks and an attractant for big cats.

Cougars are pretty wary about their own safety when attacking. They generally won't attack a full grown adult, particularly a male, unless they are in some kind of mental health crises, which could include starvation.

They love to eat pets though.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Voices are also much more effective than music.

One town tried blasting rock music to discourage bears from feasting at their landfill. Didn't work. They tried talk radio and it was much more effective.

Danielle Smith on QR77 would wreck them bears!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

You know what I'd love to hear from your Bluetooth speaker?

Nature soundtracks.