Why don't we just exterminate all bears?

[rotten42]

yyyyy

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Bear encounters I've had:

- sniffing my tent in Yellowstone
- rocking my car in Yellowstone later that same night
- 30 minutes of watching and taking pictures from within 50 feet on the Dempster Highway (inside the vehicle, window rolled down)
- nearby on the Chilkoot Trail - close enough the group ahead of us was yelling to scare it off
- missed hitting one on the highway by what I can only guess was a matter of inches

All memorable for one reason or another. Relocate the people - leave the bears where they are.

Total aside, but the Chilkoot Trail is incredible. Best hike I've done, and you just have to be prepared for the fact that people are likely outnumbered by the bears!

[Torture]

Let's not.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1538241555613351936

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Slava

Total aside, but the Chilkoot Trail is incredible. Best hike I've done, and you just have to be prepared for the fact that people are likely outnumbered by the bears!

Agreed. One of the best experiences of my life. Did it in 2008 and hoped to go back again this summer to celebrate turning 50 but my arthritis had other ideas.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Slava

Total aside, but the Chilkoot Trail is incredible. Best hike I've done, and you just have to be prepared for the fact that people are likely outnumbered by the bears!

We had everything booked to do it in 2020.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Torture

We had everything booked to do it in 2020.

COVID cares not for the wee plans of inconsequential mere mortals!

[btimbit]

Let the bears pay the bear tax. I pay the Homer tax

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Last weekend while riding 1A came across a bear frolicking in a meadow about 300m off the highway and then later on two were grazing right near the overhead sign for 1A at the lake Louise end.

It was pretty cool seeing them somewhat up close. The were not the least bit interested in the people gathered to watch them.

That I would like too see.

If you had ever watched the comedy special Howie Mandel on Ice you would laugh your butt off with your comment.

Thank you, I laughed my butt off.

[jammies]

That grizzly bear map seems to include large swathes of desert. I find that unlikely.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

That I would like too see.

If you had ever watched the comedy special Howie Mandel on Ice you would laugh your butt off with your comment.

Thank you, I laughed my butt off.

You are far more liekly to be mauled by a bear than discover another person who has seen that.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by jammies

That grizzly bear map seems to include large swathes of desert. I find that unlikely.

Big Bear spreading lies

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Big Bear spreading lies

Big Bear, he's iron tough

[Locke]

I have it on good authority that smarter-than-average Bears are stealing picanic baskets....

[Enoch Root]

Not sure what that map is about... I have had multiple run ins with bears in Manitoba. Saw 23 in a weekend once, including one that thought about joining us inside our tent (but fortunately changed its mind)

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Not sure what that map is about... I have had multiple run ins with bears in Manitoba. Saw 23 in a weekend once, including one that thought about joining us inside our tent (but fortunately changed its mind)

That was a grizzly bear map. Black bears are like rats

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Bear encounters I've had:

- sniffing my tent in Yellowstone
- rocking my car in Yellowstone later that same night
- 30 minutes of watching and taking pictures from within 50 feet on the Dempster Highway (inside the vehicle, window rolled down)
- nearby on the Chilkoot Trail - close enough the group ahead of us was yelling to scare it off
- missed hitting one on the highway by what I can only guess was a matter of inches

All memorable for one reason or another. Relocate the people - leave the bears where they are.

So basically, don't go to Yellowstone (also see: catastrophic flooding).

[Envitro]

So I don't even know how this stupid thread got started about "killing all bears", but I'll give my take on bears for someone that spends most of the year in the backyard.

As an avid hunter, I scout during the summer months and hunt Elk & Deer from August 25th through end of November most years, and sometimes into January (late season cow elk season).

Hunters, it is said, are outside the normal distribution of risk for an average person, since we spend so much time in the way way way backcountry (bush) away from roads and facilities, and hence other people.

We're typically either alone, or in a pair, and we try to make as little noise as possible. Oftentimes we are making animal calls, whether Elk or deer, or moose, and that is an instant predator attractant as well. Typically Grizzlies, wolves and mountain lions hear that and will congregate to at least check out what's making the noise. It might be an easy meal after all.

In the 7 years I've been hunting I've really only seen a handful of bears, and they've all kept their distance. Most times they've just been doing their thing, and when I've spotted them I made my presence known and they've taken off.

With that all said, you have to be bear smart and aware at all times. There can always be a time when you startle one, and that's when things can go bad. I have bear spray attached to my bino pack so it's always within reach, and when I'm hunting I always have a firearm or a bow on me (not like a bow is going to do much in a pinch against a charging grizz or black bear head on).

Regardless, it's best to always assume that you're in their world, and behave as such.
To be arrogant out there is to be in danger.

Oh, and I'd always be looking up into the trees, no matter what.
I'm more afraid of the unseen and silent threat from above, than a bear that you can usually see or hear from a bit away. Of course, I'm talking about the mountain lion/cougar.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Bear encounters I've had:

- sniffing my tent in Yellowstone
- rocking my car in Yellowstone later that same night
- 30 minutes of watching and taking pictures from within 50 feet on the Dempster Highway (inside the vehicle, window rolled down)
- nearby on the Chilkoot Trail - close enough the group ahead of us was yelling to scare it off
- missed hitting one on the highway by what I can only guess was a matter of inches

All memorable for one reason or another. Relocate the people - leave the bears where they are.

Dohh - meant Yosemite, not Yellowstone! Was in this campground: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wwcamp.htm

[Sliver]

Hey I've sort of been planning out some bear defenses. I haven't funded any prototype builds yet as I would want to be sure I can test them before taking the leap. Does anybody have any contacts at the zoo I could reach out to? I'd like access to the bears (in a controlled environment), so I could experiment with my deterrents. Would be ideal to get some videos of bears reacting to what I have in mind for proof of concept/marketing.

[BigThief]

Way too high concept and obvious for you man. You'd like access to the bear? You're not even trying anymore.