Bear vs man, gun barely helps

[hikerduane]

This was a story in our local paper this last week. This guy may need a bigger caliber rifle or needs to be a better shot. May have been a good thing the bear wasn't too big. This took place in the Lakes Basin area close to where I live in Plumas County. http://www.plumasnews.com/news_story.edi?sid=6956

[oldranger]

Isn't it strange that the article refers to a bear attack? Who attacked whom? Frankly its nice to see the hunted get a few "shots" in. I'm not "anti-hunting" but don't hunt myself. I enjoy seeing my wildlife living. I've been known to talk to bears but they never stick around to carry on a conversation. I do fish so I don't consider myself any different than a hunter and I'll eat venison or elk any time I have the opportunity.

Cheers,

Mike

[hikerduane]

Yes. I guess they went back to look for the bear, as it was supposed to be dead, wanting to make sure I guess so it wouldn't attack anyone.

[dave54]

I've done some solo off-trail trips in that area. Never had any real concerns about black bears before. Now I wonder...

[oldranger]

Dave,

I wouldn't worry unless you are planning on shooting and wounding a bear.

Mike

[Snow Nymph]

wow!

I never feel threatened by animals. I usually go after them with the camera and they take off, bears included. Gotta get photos!

One kangaroo here stood up and tried to look big. I started laughing and he backed down. Last weekend we got close to a Koala climbing down a gum tree and petted it. On our backpack trip we petted wombats, even though the ones at the zoo "bite" according to the sign.

[hikerduane]

Fours year ago, when I did the South Lake, North Lake loop thru Evolution Valley, I had a chipmunk make a run at me, while I was reading, with my back to a rock. It pretty much surprised me, but I saw it heading my way out of the corner of my eye, so I went, haw! It changed direction in a hurry. I didn't know if it was attacking or what. One of the bears that comes thru our neighborhood, doesn't get too ruffled when you shine a light on him or open a door. I'm surprised Cori that the koala let you pet it, I had heard that their temperment isn't like how cuddly they look.

[quentinc]

That chipmunk story reminds me that I once had a squirrel make a run at me in my backyard (in Los Angeles)! And this happened more than once. I was worried that it might be rabid so I went out and bought an air rifle. Amazingly, never having shot a gun before, I nailed it on my first shot. I felt just like Sarah Palin (minus the helicopter).

[hikerduane]

When Pooch was still alive, I got run over by a squirrel one morning, sleeping in, out in the open at Faucherie, north of 80. Squirrels all around that morning, chattering away, I could hear the thing crossing the ground, it jumped on my side, since I was laying that way, jumped off and kept going as I was in its line of travel. I lay there laughing, Pooch, getting old, missed it all.

[Baffman]

I agree whole-heartedly with oldranger. That was not a bear attack. It was a bear defending itself. Maybe next time he'll be sure to kill with the first shot. Maybe he'll quit hunting altogether. I used to hunt and even went bear hunting one year. I never saw one and am glad I didn't now that I'm older and wiser. Like Snowy, I shoot them with a camera.

Maybe he should buy a SPOT? Oh no, here we go again with the whole SPOT argument.

Baff