Beware of the Bears

[Flames89]

Originally posted by FlamesAddiction@Jun 6 2005, 06:21 PM
It apparently happened on a trail that was closed to the public because it was a wildlife corridor (important to have those so the bears CAN stay away). While I feel sorry for her family because of the unfortunate event, it was a known danger. Hikers need to practice their hobby responsibly and respect wildlife.

Not sure if this is true. This happened right behind my Dad's place up in Canmore, where they always walk their dog (Thunder). Here is what he had to say in response to my email titled "too close for comfort":

"CLOSE is not the word---we were hiking within 100yds of exactly where the attack happened and within 20minutes--with Thunder "off" leash. I saw a couple of fresh large piles of Bear scat , mentioned it to Linda and then heard what happened this morning !!! I feel very lucky !"

[Clarkey]

I come across bears frequently when fly-fishing the back country, I just don't see them. I'll be walking along a path and then come back 45 minutes later the same way and there is fresh almost steaming bear crap on same path that wasn't there before. Or I will hear them running away through the bush because I've startled them. I've got bear spray and one of those things that lets off a loud charge into the air (forget what they're called).

I'm not that concerned with bears though, like has been said above it's cougars that worry me. I've had them growl at me on at least 2 occasions. They are sneaky too and you won't even know that they are there if they don't make their presence known. I think generally they won't attack a large man, but I've heard if you are sitting down or squatting down to pick something up they might attack even a man in that prone position.

They had to kill that bear, any animal that kills a human has to be put down. Once an animal has killed once it could ver well do it again. It's too bad though considering there aren't a lot of Grizzly's in this province (around 1000 total).

[Calgary Flames]

Originally posted by icarus+Jun 7 2005, 06:24 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (icarus @ Jun 7 2005, 06:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Calgary Flames@Jun 6 2005, 05:37 PM
I love this quote from the bottom

Yep, that was my buddy Lyle. It was pretty surprising to be watching the National over the Internet here in England and see my friend getting interviewed about the bear attack he survived. Ol' Swift Foot shall be his new nickname I guess.

Here is the story from another friend of mine who was there at the time: http://www.jamespeters.ca/Grizzly.htm

As for the bike, here's a story. A guy I know (incidentally Lyle knows him too) was mountain biking near Canmore. This guy is a hardcore mountain biker and bikes all over the Rockies on a regular occasion. Anyway he was flying along this trail one day, came over a little ridge and t-boned a grizzly bear with his bike. Unsure what to do and confident he was about to get eaten, he lifted the bike above his head and started shouting at the bear. Miraculously, the bear, still dazed from being biked into, just gave him a quizzical look and sauntered back into the woods and everyone lived happily ever after. [/b][/quote]
Did he get the bear's insurance?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally posted by Flames89+Jun 7 2005, 01:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flames89 @ Jun 7 2005, 01:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-FlamesAddiction@Jun 6 2005, 06:21 PM
It apparently happened on a trail that was closed to the public because it was a wildlife corridor (important to have those so the bears CAN stay away). While I feel sorry for her family because of the unfortunate event, it was a known danger. Hikers need to practice their hobby responsibly and respect wildlife.

Not sure if this is true. This happened right behind my Dad's place up in Canmore, where they always walk their dog (Thunder). Here is what he had to say in response to my email titled "too close for comfort":

"CLOSE is not the word---we were hiking within 100yds of exactly where the attack happened and within 20minutes--with Thunder "off" leash. I saw a couple of fresh large piles of Bear scat , mentioned it to Linda and then heard what happened this morning !!! I feel very lucky !" [/b][/quote]
It wasn't "officially" closed to the public, but it was recommended that the public not go in there.

It's no different than when they recommend to people not to swim in dangerous areas.

[Josh]

This story just made the local news down here in Portland Oregon.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally posted by icarus@Jun 7 2005, 12:24 PM

As for the bike, here's a story. A guy I know (incidentally Lyle knows him too) was mountain biking near Canmore. This guy is a hardcore mountain biker and bikes all over the Rockies on a regular occasion. Anyway he was flying along this trail one day, came over a little ridge and t-boned a grizzly bear with his bike. Unsure what to do and confident he was about to get eaten, he lifted the bike above his head and started shouting at the bear. Miraculously, the bear, still dazed from being biked into, just gave him a quizzical look and sauntered back into the woods and everyone lived happily ever after.

hahahaha that is the funniest thing i have read in a long time! hahaha.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally posted by Clarkey@Jun 7 2005, 10:18 AM
I've got bear spray and one of those things that lets off a loud charge into the air (forget what they're called).

I'm not sure the technical name, but at work we call them 'bear bangers'. Sounds kinda dirty.

Anyhoo, they work quite well. Give off a pretty loud noise. Only tried setting them off a couple of times, and it freaked me out, too. Doesn't go far into the air before it goes off.

With bear spray and bear bangers, you should be pretty decently prepared.

[peter12]

Originally posted by Calgary Flames+Jun 6 2005, 04:55 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Calgary Flames @ Jun 6 2005, 04:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

There was a story on 60 Minutes just last night about "problem" bears. One couple had moved, with tykes in tow, from LA to the wilds of Wyoming and the woman was griping about bears being around and being a danger to her children. Pretty smart woman obviously. The poor family had to move into town and away from there dream house out in a fataing forest because of bears. It was a real tearjerker.

I saw that too... what the hell do you expect lady? Holy cripes. I remember many years ago up where Cougar Ridge is now... A Cougar was sitting on somebody's car, not sure what they did to the animal (Probably just relocated it away from population). But hell even when I bike around here It wouldn't suprise me to see a Cougar wondering around the hills near C.O.P. also didn't someone mention seeing a bear in Fish Creek last summer?

So for those Cougar Ridge peeps, you now know why Cougar Ridge is called Cougar Ridge. [/b][/quote]
Yeah that was me. I accidently got in between a mama black bear and her 2 cubs. The cubs and the mom were about 6 feet away from me on either side.

I'm pretty sure I was going faster than Lance Armstrong booking it out of there.